Discover the Private Apartments of Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace open their Private Apartments to the public, offering visitors an intimate look at Marlborough family life.

Until September, visitors will have the exclusive opportunity to explore the East Side of the Palace; the Duke of Marlborough's Private Apartments. Discover the opulence of the rooms in which the Marlborough family have lived for generations, and learn about family life at Blenheim Palace.

Entering the apartments is much less grand than the usual visitor entrance. The rooms have a mix of precious antiques, tapestries and artworks amongst modern living items and family photos.

The intimate tour begins with climbing the Main Stairs and peeking into the Dressing Room and through the Duke's Corridor. Taking visitors on an intimate tour of family life, visitors will view the Master Bedroom and Dining Room. Visitors will enjoy seeing the Sitting Room where His Grace and family relax and mixes priceless heirlooms with modern technology.

Walking through the Bar Area, visitors will be led to the Smoking Room which contains full size tapestries from the Alexandra the Great series which were commissioned by the 1st Duke. The Smoking Room is also home to the Stubbs Tiger, which is of the tiger which lived at Blenheim Palace from 1763 gifted to the 4th Duke by Lord Clive, Governor of Bengal.

In the extended tour, running at 10.45am and 1.25pm, visitors will also be taken around the Grand Cabinet, a room full of opulent history and family heirlooms.  The Visitor's Book will also be on display, turned to the page of Clementine Hozier and Sir Winston Churchill. The signatures are dated directly after the meal that followed their engagement at the Temple of Diana in Blenheim Palace's parkland. On the same page visitors can see Clementine's signature from the first time that she returned to the palace after her marriage.

Guests must book at the Welcome Desk or Great Hall on the day; Palace, Park and Gardens ticket is also required.

WHAT:            Private Apartment Tours at Blenheim Palace

WHEN:            Daily until September

WHY VISIT:    See the East Wing of Blenheim Palace, learn about the 300 years of history in the rooms.

ADMISSION:  Tours £6.00 Adult & £5.00 Concession + Palace, Park & Gardens ticket Adult £24.90, Concession £19.90 - Mon-Fri, excluding bank holidays.

WEBSITE:       blenheimpalace.com

ENDS

For more information please contact:

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

Notes to Editors

This tour starts at the front door to the Private Apartments. Please arrive no less than five minutes before your tour is due to start. The 10.45 and 13.25 tours include the Grand Cabinet.