Blenheim Palace, England: Iconic architecture tied in with British history.
This evening I am focusing on Blenheim Palace, Wooodstock, about 1 hour 15 mins N.W. of London. Location is convenient for the vast number of tour buses and other motor tours which move between London and Stratford-upon-Avon.
This is a World Heritage Site and famous for being the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill in 1874.
The Palace was a gift from Queen Anne to the Duke of Marlborough in recognition of his victory over the French at the Battle of Blenheim, Bavaria, (Germany) in 1704.
Original architect was John Vanbrugh assisted by Nicholas Hawksmoor but due to disputes with Duchess Sarah this duo did not see the project through to completion and were replaced. Final completion was achieved around 1722. Landscaping was the work of ‘Capability’ Brown.
Blenheim was intended as a combined political statement, monument, castle, citadel and private house wrapped in architecture to rival the French palace at Versailles.
Inside, the visitor can explore a vast suite of rooms including:
- Great Hall
- Sir Winston Churchill’s Birth Room
- West and South Corridors
- Green Drawing Room
- Red Drawing Room
- Green Writing Room
- Saloon
- First State Room
- Second State Room
- Third State Room
- Long Library
- Chapel
- Water Terraces
- Italian Garden
- Secret Garden
- Arboretum
- Rose Garden
- Grand Cascade
- Lake and Bridge
- Column of Victory
- Pleasure Gardens
- Butterfly House
- Marlborough Maze
Column of Victory
Grand Bridge
Aspect of Blenheim with Water Terraces
Upper Water Terrace
Water Terrace
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