Visit Blenheim , Britain’s Greatest Palace

2012 INFORMATION FOR THE TRAVEL TRADE & GROUP ORGANISERS

Winner of the 2011 UK Coach Award ‘Most Coach Friendly Historic Attraction’

BUY ONE DAY GET 12 MONTHS FREE! SEE REVERSE FOR DETAILS... Group Visits in 2012...

Blenheim Palace is the ancestral home of the Dukes of Marlborough, and is famed as the birthplace of Sir . Set in over 100 acres of stunning Formal Gardens, the surrounding 2,000 acres of parkland were landscaped by 'Capability' Brown. The Palace changes with the seasons meaning there is always something new and surprising for groups to enjoy, and 2012 is no exception bringing plenty of exciting events and activities. Tours of the Palace Guided tours of the State Rooms, which house Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story one of the finest collections in Europe, run Fans of Downton Abbey will love the fascinating frequently in English throughout the day and are visitor experience inside the Palace. Grace Ridley, included in the ticket price. They run daily lady’s maid to the first Duchess of Marlborough except for Sundays and Bank Holidays when a reveals what life was like at the Palace over the free flow system operates. Private tours and past 300 years, from the servants perspective. language tours are available at an additional LENGTH OF TOUR: 35 MINUTES charge; these must be pre-booked. The experience is accessed via a set of stairs to the first LENGTH OF TOUR: 35 MINUTES floor of the Palace and therefore unfortunately is not accessible for wheelchairs. A short film of the experience is available at ground level opposite the Indoor Cinema.

The Churchill Exhibition This permanent exhibition situated around the room in which Sir Winston Churchill was born in 1874, displays personal letters, paintings and mementoes from the life of the ‘Greatest Briton’. He is buried nearby at St Martin’s Church in .

Private Apartments Tours of the Private Apartments are available on certain days from April to September at the discretion of the family. Please enquire on arrival. A small additional charge applies. The Park and Gardens The splendour of ‘Capability’ Brown’s landscaped parkland and great lake provide an awe-inspiring setting for the Palace. The award- winning Formal Gardens include the ornate Italian Garden, the Secret Garden, the majestic Water Terraces, the Rose Garden, Arboretum and the Cascade.

Gardens Highlight: 4th June – 17th September Paul Cummins Ceramic Flowers – a Gardens Installation A remarkable installation of 200 ceramic delphiniums specially Themed Tours for Groups created for Blenheim Palace by There is plenty more for groups to discover in fine ceramic artist, Paul Cummins 2012 with the launch of three brand new will be on display at outdoor Themed Tours: locations at Blenheim Palace, by the entrance to the Secret Garden, and by the Temple of Diana.

Furthermore, the Pleasure Gardens, reached by miniature train from the Palace, include the Butterfly House, the Lavender Garden, the Marlborough Maze and the ‘Blenheim Bygones’ Exhibition. Buggy rides around Queen Pool are available on fine days for a small extra charge. 2009 Momentum Pictures. All rights reserved.

• Lights, Camera, Action: Blenheim Palace, the star of film & TV •A Palace at War: How Blenheim Palace fought the First World War •The Military Marlboroughs Themes also available: • Odd Men and Necessary Women – Servants of a Great Palace • Behind the Scenes at Blenheim Palace • Winston -Churchill and Blenheim Palace • A Palace at War – Evacuees and Espionage • The Ladies of Blenheim Palace • The Gentlemen of Blenheim Palace • A Walk in the Past – The Park and Gardens at Blenheim Palace For further information and to book Themed Tours please contact the Groups Coordinator. Special Events 2011

11th Feb – 9th April 18th & 19th August John Piper at Blenheim Palace Bike Blenheim Palace – A Festival of Cycling A special exhibition of 20th century British artist, www.bikeblenheimpalace.com P&G John Piper (1903 – 1992) PPG 26th – 27th August 6th – 9th April The 7th Classic Vehicle Show Easter Events and Activities P&G Includes Supercar Picnic & Bike Display on 27th. P&G 29th April 6th – 9th September The Orvis Fly Fishing & Country Fair Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials Separate admission applies. Separate admission applies. www.blenheim-horse.co.uk 5th – 7th May 12th – 16th September Blenheim Palace Jousting Tournament The Independent Woodstock Literary Festival (Bank Holiday) P&G Separate admission applies. 4th June – Sept 17th www.woodstockliteraryfestival.com Paul Cummins Ceramic Flowers – 23rd September a Gardens Installation P&G MGB Car Club 50th Anniversary Rally P&G 2nd – 5th June 7th October Art, Crafts and Design at Blenheim Palace BHF Blenheim Palace Half Marathon Advance tickets available. www.livingcrafts.co.uk P&G Separate admission applies. www.bhf.org.uk/blenheim. 9th – 10th June P&G GE Blenheim Triathlon 27th Oct – 4th November Please note that activity takes place in the Great Court Halloween Entertainment PPG + P&G and therefore admission procedures could be affected. 10th Nov – 14th December www.theblenheimtriathlon.com Christmas at Blenheim Palace PPG + P&G 13th - 23rd June (excluding 17th June) 16th – 18th November The School of Drama presents: Living Crafts for Christmas Summer Shakespeare Advance tickets available. www.livingcrafts.co.uk P&G 16th June 15th December Junior Sculling Regatta Provisional Blenheim Palace and Formal Gardens closed for www.hinkseyskulling.org.uk the winter. Park remains open daily (except Christmas Day). 14th July All events listed are provisional bookings. Battle Proms Evening Picnic Concert The details of these events may change. Please Separate admission applies. www.battleproms.com. check prior to your visit. 15th July PPG: Palace, Park and Gardens ticket required to Mini & VW Show P&G access event 3rd – 5th August P&G: Park & Gardens ticket required to access event Blenheim Palace Jousting Tournament P&G PPG + P&G: Denotes activity inside the Palace as well as the Park & Gardens.

Group Dining & Menus There are various menu options available to make a group visit to Blenheim Palace complete, from good value offers to luxury experiences catered to suit your needs. All food is prepared and cooked on the premises using the finest ingredients. The Indian Room (max 50) and the Courtyard Restaurant (max 150) are available for exclusive use. You can enjoy a variety of options from a three course seasonal lunch to a traditional cream tea. The Water Terrace Café is located within the heart of the Palace. It is a licensed self-service café offering seasonal hot dishes, soup, salads and sandwiches, and a range of homemade cakes, as well as speciality Fair Trade, organic tea and coffee. Contact Blenheim Palace Hospitality on Tel. +44 (0) 01993 813874 or email [email protected] or visit www.blenheimpalace.com BOOKING PROCEDURE In order to help us to ensure that your visit to Blenheim Palace goes as smoothly as possible, we would like to request that you pre-book your visit. Contact: Cathy Penry, Groups Coordinator Tel: 01993 815600 Fax: 01993 810580 Email: [email protected] PAYMENT METHODS Upon arrival, tour leaders should go to the Flagstaff information point to arrange payment and collect tickets. A single payment is necessary for an entire group to qualify for group rates. Cheques should be made out to ‘Blenheim Visitors’. Major credit cards and debit cards are accepted. Tour and Coach Operators wishing to set up a voucher system with us should contact the Groups Coordinator in advance. TOUR ENHANCEMENTS Groups may book their dedicated guide (English or foreign language speakers) in advance through the Groups Coordinator. Max 30 people per guide. Additional charges apply. PRIVATE TOURS Exclusive private guided tours of the State Rooms are available before 10.30am or after 4.45pm. Prices on application. Minimum numbers apply. •Groups Constitute a minimum of 15 paying visitors •Children under 5 years are admitted free of charge •Tour Leaders, Blue Badge Guides and coach drivers have complimentary admission to the Palace, Park and Gardens.

BLENHEIM PALACE OPENING TIMES & ADMISSION PRICES 2012 Season Description Overall Dates • Saturday 11 February to Friday 14 December 2012 • Saturday 11 February to Sunday 4 November open daily • Wednesday 7 Nov to Friday 14 Dec open Wednesday to Sunday inclusive • Palace & Gardens open daily from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm (last admission Opening Hours 4.45pm) with areas to be vacated by 6:30 pm (Main Season) • Park open daily from 9:00 am to 4:45 pm (last admission) except Christmas Day Low Season • 20 February to 30 March and 7 November – 14 December *Excludes Living Crafts Show 16 - 18 November when main season prices apply Main Season • 11 - 19 February and 31 March – 4 November

Park & Groups Groups Individual Palace Groups Groups Individual Gardens Main Low tickets Park & Main Low tickets Season Season Gardens Season Season Adult £7.40 £5.80 £11.50 Adult £13.20 £11.00 £20.00 Concs £6.00 £4.60 £8.50 Concs £11.40 £9.80 £15.50 Child £3.50 £2.20 £6.00 Child £7.10 £6.40 £11.00 Family n/a n/a £30.00 Family n/a n/a £52.00

DISABLED VISITORS Every effort is made to ensure that our visitors with disabilities are able to enjoy their visit to the Palace. The State Rooms are accessible by wheelchair via an electric lift and those with walking difficulties may borrow one of the Palace’s wheelchairs for the Palace tour. Available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. ‘Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story’ is not accessible for wheelchairs but a film presentation is available at ground level. Helpful Information: HOW TO GET HERE: By road: Group bookings and enquiries: Blenheim Palace is 8 miles North West of Oxford on Tel: +44 (0) 1993 815600 the A44 Evesham Road. Easily accessible from Fax:+44 (0) 1993 810580 London and Birmingham via the M40 (junction 9) or email [email protected] Signposted from all directions. For general information visit Journey durations: www.blenheimpalace.com From Oxford – 20 minutes; from central London 1½ Group Menus: hours; Stratford upon Avon 45 minutes; Bath 1½ hours. Blenheim Palace Hospitality Tel: +44 (0) 1993 813874 By rail: Trains run regularly from London Paddington and Woodstock: Marylebone and from Birmingham to Oxford. Blenheim Palace is situated in Woodstock, a Call 08457 48 49 50. picturesque Oxfordshire market town, which boasts famous hotels and restaurants in a historic setting. By bus: For more information contact the Woodstock VIC The S3 to Woodstock runs from Oxford Train Station Tel: +44 (0) 1993 813276 or email and Gloucester Green (coach station) at 30 minutes [email protected] visit intervals and stops at the Palace gates. The Palace is a www.wakeuptowoodstock.com or visit 10 minute walk from the gates. www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com Parking: Free car and coach parking is available in the grounds

Buy One Day Get 12 Months Free! Every visitor who buys a ticket to the Palace, Park and Gardens can convert the ticket into an Annual Pass – for free! For full details and terms visit www.blenheimpalace.com

www.blenheimpalace.com Free phone : 0800 849 6500 (24 hr recorded message) Blenheim Palace • Woodstock • Oxfordshire • OX20 1PP

The right to close the Palace, the Park and the Gardens or to change prices at any time without prior notice is reserved. Please check prior to your visit. The right to withdraw the facilities or to cancel or change any of the dates and nature of the events without notice is reserved.