Woodstock
Woodstock
Whenever we are in the Oxford area we try to spend a day at Blenheim Palace on the outskirts of the pretty country town of Woodstock. Sir Winston Churchill, the grandson of the 7th Duke, was born here on November 30, 1874, and associations with him have accentuated the historical interest of the palace. (If you are a Churchill fan know that Winston Churchill, his wife, father, Lord Randolph Churchill, and mother, Jenny Jerome, the beautiful daughter of an American newspaper owner, are buried in St. Martin’s churchyard in Bladon, 2 miles away.)
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace
Queen Anne gave John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough the manor of Woodstock and had this “palace” built for him after he direct the victory over the French and Bavarians at Blenheim in 1704. Sir John Vanbrugh’s designed the house. Before its completion Queen Anne’s gratitude had waned and the Marlborough family had to pay to have the house finished.
Of course the hero’s monument had to be surrounded with elaborate parks and gardens and Capability Brown (Britain’s most influential gardener) designed a man made pastoral setting with lakes and splendid monuments in 1764. The more elaborate 17th century water terrace adjacent to the house was added in the 1920s.
You drive through the grounds to the house, park on the grass, and either tour the sumptuous rooms with a group or wander independently. A narrow-gauge railway takes you through the park to the butterfly farm and children’s adventure playground.
The rooms of the place are of splendid proportions with highlights being: the painted ceiling showing the 1st Duke presenting his plan for the Battle of Blenheim; the State Dining Room with its painted scenes of the walls and ceiling and the Long Library – originally designed as a picture gallery.
In contrast to the immense palace and spacious grounds are the compact streets of the little town of Woodstock with its coaching inns and interesting shops. We usually visit Woodstock as a daytrip from Oxford or stay in Burford, a splendid Cotswold village, at either the Lamb Inn or Burford House.
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace, The Grand Bridge
