Blenheim Palace.

17 Sept

A day trip to the beautiful English countryside wouldn't be complete without visiting one of the many impeccable gardens, parks or historic houses. Blenheim palace unites all of these traits! The majestic country estate in Woodstock, Oxfordshire is not only known for its architecture and English landscape garden but it's also known for being the birthplace and family home of former prime minister Winston Churchill.

The palace was built between 1705 and 1722 and ever since been the principal residence of the dukes of Marlborough. In 1987 the UNESCO declared it a world heritage site and added it to their list with significant historic, cultural and/or natural importance worth conserving for the next generations.

***Here are some of my favourite walking paths, different viewpoints, buildings, and points of interest I recommend seeing when visiting Blenheim Palace:***

**River Glyme** - do a loop around the river Glyme in the public area of the park, over Vanbrugh’s Grand Bridge and along the boarder to town
**The Column of Victory** - a great vantage point to oversee the palace across Vanbrugh’s Grand Bridge
**Inside of Blenheim Palace** - beautiful architecture with remarkable details everywhere you look
**Exploring the Palace Gardens** - another really lovely and easy walk; all the way along the water to the Grand Cascades (a smallish waterfall) and back via the rose garden and the rest of the surrounding garden/park

I was lucky enough to live in Woodstock for a few months during an internship and had the palace and gardens right on my doorstep. Every day on my way to work I would follow the little footpath which started just behind the house I stayed in which led to the vast park area of the palace. It would wind along the river and past the old cedar trees that were probably planted centuries ago. I loved visiting the palace and historic gardens, taking long walks along the lake and following trails through meadows and fields.