Blenheim Palace has announced a series of once-in-a-lifetime views and visitor experiences which will only be available for a limited time due to the launch of its most ambitious restoration project to date.
Designed to showcase the UNESCO World Heritage Site like never before, the historic roof project is a monumental restoration that aims to preserve the architecture and safeguard the heritage of Blenheim Palace for generations to come.
Alongside the revolutionary restoration work commencing this year, three exclusive new experiences at Blenheim Palace will be live at the landmark from Spring 2025.
Roof Top View
Blenheim Palace is set to raise its roof with an all-new ticketed viewing platform experience, providing visitors with never seen before breathtaking views over the Estate including the famous Column of Victory as well as the surrounding Oxfordshire countryside; an entirely unique perspective from above the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Life Below Stairs
For the first time, groups will get to go below the Palace and step back in history to explore the hidden world of Blenheim Palace’s servants. The new Life Below Stairs experience will provide the opportunity to see the historically significant original palace kitchens where visitors can immerse themselves in the spaces and hear the sounds of the staff working as they prepare for an important royal visit.
During the visit, the day-to-day life, stories and experiences of the kitchen staff, butler, household team and the gardens team, all of whom served the Marlborough family and were an incredibly important part of Blenheim Palace’s operations, will be revealed. Life Below Stairs will give the sense of the Blenheim team of the 1890s.
Family Treasures
Unlock never before seen treasures of the private apartments and follow in the footsteps of dukes, duchesses and their illustrious guests. For a deeper insight into the history of Blenheim Palace, the extended State Room Tours will offer a journey through some of the grandest rooms.
Walk the new route through the family Dining Room; the Smoking Room where George Stubbs’ famous portrait of a tigress can be seen and the Duchess’s Sitting Room, where visitors can spot an unusual clock, designed by Benjamin Vulliamy (George III, 1787), which features a Derby biscuit porcelain figure of Andromache mourning over the ashes of Hector at Troy.
Groups can also step through the doors into the Drawing Rooms, a route walked by royalty and the most important visitors to the Palace. The final room is the stunning Grand Cabinet, featuring Savonnerie Carpet (c1750) from the famous Parisian carpet manufacturer and the finest collection of family portraits in the Palace. Normally reserved for special family occasions, explore the most opulent room in the Palace and its treasure trove of priceless artifacts.
This year will also see Blenheim’s renowned gardens undergo a stunning transformation with new features to be explored by groups every season.
Blenheim Palace first opened its doors to the public 75 years ago to raise funds for essential roof conservation work. This pivotal £12M project is centred on restoring a significant section of the roof of Britain’s Greatest Palace, ensuring it remains resilient against the elements that threaten its historical integrity. Every penny of visitor funds will contribute directly to this vital conservation effort, ensuring the project’s completion by 2026.
The roof project is necessary due to water penetration of the roof of the Great Hall, in the Heights (formerly the servants’ quarters) and in the Saloon. Over time water has saturated the timbers below, (which are also infested with Death Watch Beetle) and is causing damage to the priceless ceiling fresco by Sir James Thornhill, which is of international importance. The painting depicts the Duke of Marlborough kneeling to Britannia, proffering a plan of the Battle of Blenheim.
The objectives of the project are to return the roofs to a watertight condition, improve environmental stability of nationally important paintings, reduce health and safety risks and prolong the lifespan of stone by slowing the rate of decay. The restoration work also aims to complete fire compartmentation works, increase the capacity of gutters and improve energy efficiency where possible and practical.
Heather Carter, Managing Director of Blenheim Palace, said, “This is a truly historic moment for Blenheim Palace and a chance for everyone to see it from a whole new perspective. The restoration project is not just about preserving our past; it’s about creating new ways for visitors to engage with our history now and well into the future.
“Alongside the monumental restoration, to be able to offer these unique, immersive experiences that showcase Blenheim Palace like never before is a dream. We’re grateful for the continued support of our visitors, whose contributions are vital to the success of the initiative. “
Kelly Whitton, Head of Built Heritage at Blenheim Palace, said, “This monumental roof project represents one of the most ambitious conservation efforts in Blenheim Palace’s history. This £12 million restoration is a complex undertaking that will require a combination of traditional craftsmanship and innovative building techniques to safeguard the structural integrity of our UNESCO World Heritage Site
“By opening up new areas of the Palace to the public and creating opportunities for visitors to see the project in action in a unique way, we aim to highlight the importance of heritage conservation while supporting heritage craftsmanship by the skilled tradespeople and specialists whose work will ensure Blenheim remains standing for years to come.”
2025 prices for group visits start from £39 for a Palace, Park and Gardens adult ticket and must be booked in advance. Blenheim Palace offers discounts for group bookings of 15+ and free admission for one group leader. There is also free all-day coach parking, a free admission voucher for commercial coach drivers plus a £5 voucher for them to use in the onsite cafés.*
The Blenheim Palace Group Sales team are on hand to help with all group bookings and the Partnerships team are available for pricing agreements.
For more information on booking, contact the Groups team directly on 01993 815600 or email groups@blenheimpalace.com.
The Partnerships team are available at partnerships@blenheimpalace.com.
For information on Blenheim Palace as you’ve never seen it before and the new visitor experiences for 2025, visit www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/new-for-2025
To find out more about this historic roof restoration project, visit www.blenheimpalace.com/restoration
