As part of its Virtual Blenheim programme, Blenheim Palace has launched its latest series of live specialist Virtual Talks on regular dates throughout March and April. 

The talks will be hosted by Antonia Keaney, Blenheim Palace's historian, in conversation with special guests on a variety of subjects – and audience members are able to post questions during the event.

“These special one-off webinar talks are a way for visitors to stay connected to the Palace until it is able to reopen, while discovering secrets and fascinating facts about its history and heritage,” said Antonia.

Guests will include Dan Snow, presenter of Dan Snow's HISTORY HIT – the most listened to history podcast in the UK and the most popular podcast in the UK for curious minds, and subscription video-on-demand service HistoryHit.TV

Dan will be a guest on 'The Unknown Churchill' webinar on 17th March at 7.30pm, which will draw upon Blenheim Palace's private resources to give new and refreshing insights into this remarkable man.

Dan and Antonia will explore some of Churchill's favourite indoor and outdoor Blenheim haunts, as well as examining the breadth of talent, achievement and personality of the Greatest Briton – sometime soldier, politician, polo player, statesman, painter, writer, orator, family man - and bricklayer!   

Blenheim's TV and filming heritage will be celebrated in the 'Lights, Camera, Action!' Virtual Talk on 3rd March at 7.30pm.

Blenheim Palace has been used as a filming location in a wide variety of TV adverts and programmes, and has appeared in both Hollywood and Bollywood blockbusters – sometimes as itself, but often in a different guise.  

According to new research, Blenheim Palace has made more film and TV appearances than any other English country house. Research recently published by furniture store House of Oak has confirmed that Blenheim takes the top spot with an impressive 71 appearances on screen.

Such appearances include blockbuster movies Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the James Bond film Spectre, The Young Victoria, Cinderella, Gulliver's Travels and Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation. 

Antonia will explain what actually happens at the Palace when Hollywood descends, and how TV documentaries and films are made at the historic site – sometimes involving the colourful characters who work at the Palace.

Other virtual talks in the series include 'The Gentleman's Gentleman' on Wednesday 7th April at 7.30pm, featuring ducal butlers Timothy-James Mayhew and David Green, who will give an insight into the appeal that has kept them both in service to the Blenheim family for many years.

The talks costs £5 to register for a place on the webinar, or are free for Blenheim Palace Annual Pass holders.

For the full programme of virtual talks and to book a place, visit: virtual.blenheimpalace.com/virtual-tours.

Issued on behalf of Blenheim Palace. For more information please contact Samantha Vaughan on 07469 129743 or SVaughan@blenheimpalace.com

About Blenheim Palace

Home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705, Blenheim Palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Set in over 2,000 acres of 'Capability' Brown landscaped parkland and designed by Vanbrugh in the Baroque style, it was financed by Queen Anne, on behalf of a grateful nation, following the first Duke of Marlborough's triumph over the French in the War of the Spanish Succession.