![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/25\/590x\/secondary\/Blenheim-Palace-4954449.jpg?r=1694461699883\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
As you sweep through the grand \u2018Arch of Triumph\u201d at the end of Park Street in the charming Georgian market town of Woodstock, you realise Blenheim Palace is no ordinary palace and these are no ordinary palace grounds.<\/p>\n
The palace has been called England\u2019s\u00a0Versailles and it\u2019s not difficult to see why. It was originally built as a gift to John Churchill from Queen Anne in thanks for his victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704.<\/p>\n
It was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh and it took 17 years to complete. He wanted it to have maximum impact and be best viewed from a distance.<\/p>\n
The palace itself is a perfect example of Baroque architecture with its ornate decorations. It\u2019s now home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough and his family. It\u2019s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It is, perhaps, more widely known as the birthplace of\u00a0Sir Winston Churchill\u00a0in 1874. The sprawling parklands were designed by the legendary landscape gardener, Lancelot \u2018Capability\u2019 Brown and include all the accouterments an English country palace should possess –\u00a0 sweeping lawns, a large lake, formal gardens, a walled garden, a giant hedge maze consisting of 3,000 yew hedges, the butterfly house and a\u00a0lavender\u00a0garden.<\/p>\n
READ MORE <\/strong> Inside Balmoral – Charles’s \u00a3111.5M estate Britons where are rarely permitted<\/strong><\/p>\n Sitting atop a hill facing the palace is The Column of Victory which is crowed by the 1st Duke of Marlborough. Surrounding it are the Grand Cascades which offer some of England\u2019s most sensational views.<\/p>\n It is an incredible landscape. The Italian Garden just in front of the palace features immaculate hedges and a stunning central fountain while the Rose Garden features a series of perfectly symmetrical beds of hundreds of different varieties.\u00a0<\/p>\n It is the only house in England to have the title of a Palace and it has 187 grand rooms, although they aren\u2019t all open. There is fine furniture, The Marlborough Tapestries, depicting John Churchill\u2019s battles and endless oil portraits.<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n The Long Library was designed by Christopher Wren as a picture gallery but now houses 10,000 books. The Gilded State rooms certainly rival those of Buckingham Palace. The entrance through the Great Hall is flanked by tiers of marble pillars.<\/p>\n Through the archways, you\u2019ll discover some incredible collections of China and even miniature toy soldiers. One room features a tapestry and oil paintings depicting the Duke of Marlborough\u2019s victories.<\/p>\n The Churchill Exhibition features the room in which he was born, several of his paintings and artifacts such as uniforms, photographs, and excerpts from his most famous speeches.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/25\/590x\/secondary\/Gardens-at-Blenheim-Palace-4954451.jpg?r=1694461699948\")
<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/25\/590x\/secondary\/Gardens-Blenheim-Palace-4954452.jpg?r=1694461699997\")
<\/p>\n