Why Visit Blenheim Palace

Why Visit Blenheim Palace? Back up For the price of admission (eight pounds and fifty pence), we can tour the palace and grounds. Yet the architect Vanbrugh was refused entry, when 277 years ago he wanted to go and view his creation. (The building of the palace had been troubled and contentious, ending in Vanbrugh's resignation. When, several years later, he felt a sudden need to see the palace, he was 'rudely refused' by the porter at the gate by order of the Duchess). There are many other reasons to visit Blenheim:

For the Churchill memorabilia: comprehensive, spanning his birth to his death. For the architecture: arguably the finest example of English baroque you are likely to see For the original Hawksmoor ceilings: the gold leaf used is of such fine quality that it has never deteriorated. For the Long Library : breathtakingly beautiful, the longest room in England, still used as a ballroom and where you can see many framed family 'photos'. To see the private apartments of the present day Duke To learn how the late Princess Diana was related to both the Dukes and Sir Winston Churchill. For the many priceless tapestries and portraits For the formal gardens: Italianate and water gardens To see where Winston Churchill proposed marriage to Clementine. For good value: the price of your ticket includes the palace gardens, water terraces, lawns, arboretum, rose garden, grand cascade, trips on the lake, the pleasure gardens, herb gardens and 2,100 acres of parkland. For the gift shop: it has an excellent selection of tasteful presents (especially recommended are the tapestry cushions and the preserves). For the maze. It's the world's largest. Not included in the ticket price but only a quid to get yourself totally disorientated! For the powerful atmosphere. This palace is redolent of the lives of eleven dukes and their families. It is a microcosm of national affairs throughout 280 years. Notwithstanding its majesty, it could not but be affected by the changing fortunes of the world outside. Its story is a compelling one. Come and fall under its spell. The Official Blenheim site is located at http://www.camelotintl.com/heritage/house/blenheim.html

Woodstock Back up It is recommended that you approach Blenheim from the old village of Woodstock, taking a leisurely stroll along the main street If you enjoy fine old mellow stone and brick work clad in ivy and creeper prepare to be charmed. Resist the allure of antique shops but allow time for refreshment at one of the ancient coaching inns or traditional tea-shops. There are so many you'll be spoilt for choice. If you garden, explore the winding lines that lead off the main street and steal ideas from old cottage gardens. But the best is yet to come. You will arrive at an imposing lichen encrusted gateway. This is in fact the Triumphal Arch and the Woodstock access to the palace of Blenheim. The inscription reads:

"This gate was built the year after the death of the most illustrious John Duke of Marlborough by order of Sarah his most beloved wife to whom he left the sole directory of the many things that remain unfinished".

Once through the gate, a magnificent vista unfolds before you; green pastures where sheep graze and roam at will; Vanbrugh's Grand Bridge spanning Queen Pool and the Lake, acre upon acre of rolling parkland, and beyond, the Palace itself, resplendent, dignified, all grey and ochre stone, its colonnades leading the eye to the roofscape, where statues and great golden balls stand aloft against the sky.

Take time to let this gladden the eye and soul; to notice a pair of white swans gliding effortlessly on the water, the way a great tree in the foreground leans its lower boughs to sweep the grass.

Then you might choose to walk the 1 mile circuit of Queen pool, enjoying the changing views of the Lake, or take the straight path (across which the sheep wander with a proprietorial air) to the visitors main entrance.

Blenheim Palace is so enriched and densely packed with historical fact and anecdote that to absorb all would need a second or even a third visit. So be selective. There is much to enjoy and learn (for example, do you know the derivation of the Order of the Garter, or the technique of Boulle and Counter-boulle?)

Views Back up Carfax Tower The best place from which to view Oxford's famous skyline of spires is from Carfax Tower. Its location at the ancient heart of the city thus providing a view with a central aspect. The tower is all that remains of the 11th century St Martin's or Carfax Church which was rebuilt in 1818. It is open everyday from 10.05.30. Ninety nine steps to climb! Carfax Tower in St Aldate's.

Oxford Town Hall If Carfax has put you in a receptive mood for more local colour, don't leave the area without popping into the Town Hall (virtually next door). The interior reflects the civic pride of the Victorian age, but the main reason for your visit is to meet Ken and Tim, two very genial chaps who look after the building. Ken's father was head waterman at Blenheim; Tim is a mine of information about Oxford. (He told us that when the students were sitting their exams at Merton College, straw would be laid over the cobbles to deaden the rattle of carts on the cobble stones. For the same reason, rubber bricks were laid in St Aldate's but these were taken up when trams were introduced).

St Mary the Virgin: Broad Street. You might like a comparative viewing point, which can be obtained from the tower of this University church, worthy of a visit in its own right The church is situated on the High Street by Magdalen Bridge. It was here that in 1556, during the reign of the Catholic Queen Mary and her attempt to reverse the Reformation, that Archbishop Cranmer was tried for heresy. You can see where the section of a stone pillar was removed to allow for the building of a platform from which Cranmer was to recant his 'heretical' views. At the last moment, however, he withdrew his written recantation and before dying at the stake at the foot of the tower, he held out to the flames the hand with which had signed.

There is a fine slab of Purbeck marble to be seen here on the tomb of Adam de Brome appointed rector of the church in 1320. Sadly, the brasses have been stolen.

Churches and Places of Worship in Oxford Back up A comprehensive list detailing denominations and times of services is available from the Information Office. Christ Church College in St Aldate's has its own choir school. Sunday and weekday services as follows: 8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am Matins and Sermon 11.15am Sung Eucharist 6.00am Evensong 6.00pm Evensong (weekdays)

The Thames River Back up The rivers have played a leading role in shaping the city of Oxford. It is cited on the Thames but here this great river, known to the Romans as Thamesis, becomes the Isis. However, the exact point at which the river changes its name has never been defined. The river Cherwell (pronounced Charwell) joins the Isis just south of Folly Bridge.

Further downstream at Dorney in South Buckinghamshire, the Oxford Archaeological Unit have discovered the oldest bridge on the River Thames. The two lines of massive oak posts have been radiocarbon dated by the British Museum to between 1300 and 1400 BC. The remains of the Bronze Age bridge was discovered during excavations for a rowing lake, built to international standards, by Eton College. A series of former channels of the River Thames have also been revealed. Formed at the end of the Ice Age, as the climate warmed up, gradually reed swamp developed in the channels and an Early Mesolithic settlement developed. Flint and animal bones have been discovered.

The Neolithic Age (6,600-3,000 BC) brought an increased flow to the major channel. This was the prehistoric river Thames, nearly 2km of which survives within the site. Remains of a beaver lodge have been found, complete with the creature's skeleton, and flint, burnt sandstone and pottery indicate that man and beaver co-existed. The College, in conjunction with the Unit, are taking the opportunity to turn the excavation into a major educational event during a number of summer vacations. No doubt there will be no shortage of volunteers!

The Thames was an important river in the Bronze Age (3,000-1,200 BC) as can be witnessed by the clusters of barrows that occur beside the river. If you were an important person you wanted to be buried in a conspicuous place.

A great river was a potent symbol. Weapons dating from 1200 BC have been found and it is assumed that these were deliberately put into the river, since they were not being used again. This may have been a sign of prestige - you had sufficient wealth to be able to afford to offer your weapons to the river. The river has proved to be a rich source of archaeological finds - the finest of their type.

Crusaders returning from the Crusades would throw souvenirs into the river in thanks for safe deliverance.

In the 17th century there was frequent journeying from Westminster to Oxford. For those who could afford it, Oxford was a centre of culture and a refuge from the ills of London (e.g. plague). Because it was a seat of learning, it was perceived as an alternative to London. At that time the river was crowded with many small craft, the main source of transport for rich and poor alike.

The Thames was a conduit of power - the place where important institutions were sited. This river was a great arterial highway until about the mid 17th century when a coach with decent suspension was designed and roads without potholes were built.

Ceremonial uses of the Thames began in the 18th century and continued through to the early part of the 19th century.

In Dickens' time the Thames was perceived as fit only for sewage and rubbish.

Currently work is underway to create an "Official Thames Path". This will be "A path for everybody" (after much negotiation with landowners). The path is still being perfected. The aim is to democratise the river. In London more and more riverside access is opening, so that now it is almost possible to experience the whole river.

All of Britain's history, all Britain's past has gone into the Thames. It embodies its own history. For many people it has a spirituality and is regarded with great affection ("Old Father Thames"). Especially since the expansion of Docklands in London, people have come to realise its value. They want to travel on the river.

Recently a Hindu family chose to scatter their uncle's ashes on the Thames in formal ritualistic style. Hindus believe that all rivers merge together so the ashes will eventually end up in the Ganges.