Viewpoints Trail at Blenheim Palace

To celebrate the tercentenary of 'Capability' Brown Blenheim Palace have launched a new 'Viewpoints Trail'. The 12 cherry-picked views, which each represent a classic Brownian landscape, are situated within the 2,000 acre Parkland. Visitors can download a map prior to their arrival, or can collect one from the Visitor Centre on the day.

We've highlighted five of the 'Capability' Brown Views at Blenheim Palace

The Grand Bridge was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh to serve as the primary focus in the landscape, but it was also intended to act as a viewing platform from which visitors can admire the beautiful surroundings. The Cedar trees with horizontal branches are some of Brown's original Cedar of Lebanon which are over 300 years old.

When Brown arrived the bridge itself, containing over 30 rooms, dwarfed the small river and in what most consider to be his greatest achievement, Brown flooded the lower stories and created the epitome of English landscapes. Today there are still relics trapped from Browns flooding in the rooms! From the Grand Bridge visitors will see the Column of Victory and the Grand Avenue.

Did you know…? Browns involvement cost the 4th Duke a staggering sum of £21,537 (more than £34 million in today's money) but has created an unquestionable legacy.

Rosamund's Well dating back to the 12th Century; this was a pleasure pool, built by Henry II for his mistress Rosamund Clifford. The pool was fed by an ancient spring which has never dried up, and to this day the water that flows into the well originates from the same spring that Blenheim Palace use to produce 'Natural Mineral Water'.

From this viewpoint you look out across 'Capability' Brown's Great Lake towards the Boat House in the distance. Look back towards the Grand Bridge to see the half-submerged rooms on either side of the arch and look up to see Brown's tree planting and open grass focussing your view on the Palace.

Did you know…? The unusual looking Cedar of Lebanon Tree with a hole in its trunk located by the lakeside was used in a scene for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

The finest view in England is one of the crowning achievements of Lancelot 'Capability' Brown's landscaping and is the spectacular centrepiece view across the lakes. It unites all the earlier phases of landscaping into one romantic English landscape and has remained largely untouched to this day.

The main entrance to the Park offers views of the Grand Bridge, lakes, Column of Victory, High Park and of course the Palace. This view was so impressive to King George III that when visiting Blenheim Palace in 1786 he remarked “We have nothing equal to this!”

Did you know…? The Park was originally used as a royal hunting ground, with over 5,000 deer roaming the Parkland freely. Roughly 100 animals were hunted each year, six of which went to the King.

Great Lake Vista glimpse through the trees over the Great Lake towards the distant ancient Oak woodland towards High Lodge, a keeper's lodge remodelled by Brown with castellation in a gothic style. The Oak woodland contains nearly 1,000 veteran Oak trees ranging up to 900 years old. The lake meanders off into the distance around a corner, this was designed to create curiosity and the illusion of a never ending body of water.

Brown's achievements in the Gardens at Blenheim Palace are far more controversial than those out in the Park. When Brown arrived there was an impressive great Parterre, formal gardens and heavily wooded geometric patterns in the lower Park. In the 1760's he swept away the Parterre and replaced it with the large South Lawn. He installed haha's to protect the gardens from the South, East and West and broke up most of the geometric Oaks.

Did you know…? The Beech tree at this viewpoint is over 250 years old!

The Cascade was originally the overflow section of Brown's dam across the valley, built to create the Great Lake. The construction of the dam was a huge undertaking of civil engineering, with labourers digging, shaping the land and lining it with layers of clay. Once this mammoth task was completed, the water began to flow into the lake, taking over a year to fill it!

One of England's most picturesque waterfalls then flows into the Bladon Lakes and winds south-westwards under Chambers New Bridge, more recently known as Bladon Bridge which can be seen on the Park perimeter walk to the South of the Palace.

The bridge crossing the Cascade is known as the 'Swiss Bridge' and was built for the 5th Duke of Marlborough in c.1820.

Did you know…? In the 1830's the 5th Duke of Marlborough created a 'secret' Rock Garden on the other side of the Swiss Bridge. The Garden was blocked by a boulder which when pressed at the right point would pivot and allow access in to the garden.

WHAT:            Viewpoints Trail at Blenheim Palace

WHY VISIT:    Follow the trail to see 12 quintessential 'Capability' Brown viewpoints at Blenheim Palace

ADMISSION:  Park & Gardens ticket required: Adult £14.90 / Child £6.90 (Age 5-16) /

Concession £10.90 / Family £39.90 (2 Adults & 2 Children)

WEBSITE:       www.blenheimpalace.com

ENDS

For more information and images please contact:

Melodie Manners | melodie@flamingo-marketing.co.uk | 01637 873379 or 07815 709548

Notes to editors:

• Viewpoints Trail is downloadable via blenheimpalace.com or can be collected upon arrival.

• Blenheim Palace is a member of the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
• Blenheim Palace is a member of the Treasure Houses of England, 10 of the most magnificent palaces, stately homes and castles in England www.treasurehouses.co.uk

Annual Pass

BUY ONE DAY, GET 12 MONTHS FREE*

Blenheim Palace offers an amazing annual pass ticket deal. When you buy a single day ticket to the Palace, Park and Gardens, you can convert it into an annual pass for free and gain unlimited entry for 12 months.       

Annual Pass Privilege Card - 15% discount on dining and shopping*

Blenheim Palace is offering a special Privilege Card upgrade option with the Annual Pass. For an extra £5 you can receive a 15% discount in all Blenheim Palace Shops and Cafés!

*Terms and conditions apply.