Oxford and Blenheim Palace – Friday

A lot of lovely photos to share from today Dear Readers so please bear with me…

You know I always like a good Palace and I have been wanting to go to Blenheim Palace for YEARS.

Firstly, it is absolutely perishing cold, it is bitter and bone chilling! Its snowing in other places in the UK,  but probably too cold for snow here..

Blenheim Palace is about a 15minute drive from Oxford.

Blenheim Palace is a monumental English country house situated in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. It is the principal residence of the Dukes of Marlborough, and the only non-royal non-episcopal country house in England to hold the title of palace. The palace, one of England's largest houses, was built between 1705 and circa 1722. Blenheim Palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

The building of the palace was originally intended to be a reward to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, from a grateful nation for the duke's military triumphs against the French and Bavarians during the War of the Spanish Succession, culminating in the 1704 Battle of Blenheim. However, soon after its construction began, the palace became the subject of political infighting; this led to Marlborough's exile, the fall from power of his duchess, and lasting damage to the reputation of the architect Sir John Vanbrugh. (Wikipedia)

The palace was all decked out in its Christmas decs. This is the green drawing room with a 24 carat gold ceiling.

And the dining table is set for Christmas dinner..

The long Library which also has an organ, which was being played while we were there..

… and some lovely  painted ceilings.

Graham found one of his favourite things, model soldiers.

And Dear Readers, its again  time to play…

Spot the Doggie!

Blenheim Palace is also the birthplace of Winston Churchill. He was born during a ball in the ladies cloakroom.

This was his grandparents house, his grandfather was the 7th Duke of Marlborough, as his father was the second son it was his cousin that was the 8th Duke. But being his family home he spent a lot of time here, proposed to his wife here and is buried in the local village church.

Funny that one of the families most famous figures wasn't one of the Dukes…

Oh!  Princess Diana is also related to the Spencer-Churchill family.

below is the room that was used for the cloak room where he was born

Then we braved the elements for a walk in the famous grounds and gardens that were designed by Capability Brown

And… look at this lovely photo below.. My old faithful Canon camera has struggled with the cold this trip, is getting very slow to focus and occasionally the lens sticks… But then it surprises me and produces lovely shots like this one… Clever thing!

Now that I have showed you all the sensible bits I’ll have to share the non sensible bits.

Blenheim also has a tour that is automatic with models and holograph type thingy's!

Led around by the maid of the first duchess, it was an insight to the gossip of how the dukes nearly sent the place bankrupt….

As we are leaving, families are still arriving to see the Christmas light show that they have on tonight. They must be tougher souls that us, we need to go and defrost. The milk has been okay in the car which is most likely colder inside than our fridge at home….

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Ahhhh, the romance of travel….

We are having a night at Oxfords premier Hotel, the Randolph.

But as it is 30 pounds to park the car in their car park we have had to come up with an alternate plan.

We have condensed our luggage and will leave most of it in the car. The car is going to one of the huge park and ride car parks which is about 5 miles out side the city. Two pounds to leave it there for 24 hours.

And we took the bus.