Blenheim Palace’s £2 million restoration project of its historic Orangery has won a prestigious architecture award.
The 18th century Orangery, which reopened in October 2023, was one of the big winners at the 2025 RIBA South Architecture Awards, which were held at the Bombay Sapphire Distillery, Hampshire on Wednesday 21st May.
The Orangery’s vital £2 million restoration work included the replacement of the glass ceiling with timber and slate back to its original design. The Blenheim team worked closely with Nick Cox Architects and Historic England to ensure the work, materials and the architecture remained sympathetic to Vanbrugh’s original design and it is believed to be the first type of reinstatement programme carried out on a Grade 1 Listed building of its kind. The Orangery roof was last restored in the 1970s, but the 19th century glass roof came to the end of its natural life and needed entirely replacing.
Kelly O’Driscoll, Head of Built Heritage at Blenheim Palace, said:
“Winning a RIBA award is a wonderful credit to everyone involved in this remarkable project, not least Nick Cox Architects, as well as every ticket and annual pass holder who chooses Blenheim Palace for a day out, as this vital work couldn’t have been completed without their donations.”
Phoebe Gresford, Architect at Nick Cox Architects, commented:
“We are honoured that the Blenheim Orangery project has won a 2025 RIBA South Architecture Award. This reflects the visionary approach to the project and the dedication of the multi-disciplinary team from inception to completion.”
The Blenheim Palace Orangery, which reopened in October 2023, was one of six winners, which included Eton College Hall, and Hope Street, Southampton, a pioneering residential community conceived as an alternative to prison detention for women serving custodial sentences.
View the complete list of winners here
