Blenheim Palace, the only non-royal country house in England to hold the title of palace in Oxfordshire.

Address: Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1PS.

Embark on a journey through time and discover the fascinating story and secrets of Blenheim Palace, a country house in Oxfordshire and the only non-royal house in England to hold the title of palace. Blenheim Palace was a national gift (to be specific, the land and the money to build Blenheim Palace) from Queen Anne to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, as a recognition of his military triumph at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. The construction of Blenheim Palace started in 1705 and was completed in 1733, following by some intrigues, familial and financial problems.

Being the masterpiece of its architect, Sir John Vanbrugh, Blenheim Palace was designed in the English Baroque style. Well-known for his desire for luxury and extravaganza, John Vanbrugh  chose the most expensive and the best materials that caused some discontent of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, John Churchill’s wife. She also blamed him for ignoring her instructions. Finally, Vanbrugh left his greatest work and was forbidden by Sarah to return.

Apart from growing expenses on construction works, John and Sarah faced some further troubles. Their relationship with the Queen broke down. In 1712, after their final argument, they chose to leave England. Queen Anne ordered all building works to stop. 

John and Sarah returned to England only after the Queen’s death in 1714. 1st Duke of Marlborough now decided to complete the project at his own expense. Unfortunately, in 1722 he died and never saw the Palace completed.

The widowed Duchess, driven by ambitions to carry on the life’s project of her late husband, invited an architect Nicholas Hawksmoor and the great house was completed in 1733. The final cost of the build was £300,000, or over £58 million in today’s money. Today, Blenheim Palace is home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough and his family, and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, a former British Prime Minister.

Blenheim Palace area includes the Palace itself, Courtyards, Formal and Walled Gardens, Marlborough Maze and the Butterfly House. The palace is linked to the Walled Garden by a miniature railway.