The birthplace of Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace was built as a gift to John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough, to honour his victory over the French at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. The present incumbent is Charles James Spencer-Churchill, the 12th Duke of Marlborough. Like many large stately homes, Blenheim Palace funds its upkeep in a surprising variety of ways.
Blenheim Palace —
The birthplace of Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace was built as a gift to John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough, to honour his victory over the French at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. The present incumbent is Charles James Spencer-Churchill, the 12th Duke of Marlborough. Like many large stately homes, Blenheim Palace funds its upkeep in a surprising variety of ways.
Blenheim Palace
One of the ways Blenheim Palace earns its keep is as a location for film shoots. In <em>The BFG</em> (2016), the palace appears as a body double for the rear side of Buckingham Palace. In this scene, the Big Friendly Giant towers over a troop of tiny soldiers in the Italian Garden.
Blenheim Palace —
One of the ways Blenheim Palace earns its keep is as a location for film shoots. In The BFG (2016), the palace appears as a body double for the rear side of Buckingham Palace. In this scene, the Big Friendly Giant towers over a troop of tiny soldiers in the Italian Garden.
Blenheim Palace
Scenes for <em>Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation</em> (2015) were shot in the Great Court. A charity auction scene was filmed in the Long Library, and the Green Writing Room provided the set for a crucial meeting between the British Prime Minister and Ethan Hunt (aka Tom Cruise).
Blenheim Palace —
Scenes for Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015) were shot in the Great Court. A charity auction scene was filmed in the Long Library, and the Green Writing Room provided the set for a crucial meeting between the British Prime Minister and Ethan Hunt (aka Tom Cruise).
Blenheim Palace
Guns were blazing in the Great Court for the filming of the James Bond movie <em>Spectre </em>(2015).
Blenheim Palace —
Guns were blazing in the Great Court for the filming of the James Bond movie Spectre (2015).
Blenheim Palace
A Blenheim Palace tree, situated on the bank of the palace's Great Lake, had a small (but important) role in the fifth Harry Potter film, <em>The Order of the Phoenix</em> (2007).
Blenheim Palace —
A Blenheim Palace tree, situated on the bank of the palace's Great Lake, had a small (but important) role in the fifth Harry Potter film, The Order of the Phoenix (2007).
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace requires extensive upkeep. The Mermaid Fountain, located in the Duke of Marlborough's private Italian Garden, was restored in 2017. A thick layer of limescale that had accumulated over the years was cleaned off, and the bronze statue polished with wax.
Blenheim Palace —
Blenheim Palace requires extensive upkeep. The Mermaid Fountain, located in the Duke of Marlborough's private Italian Garden, was restored in 2017. A thick layer of limescale that had accumulated over the years was cleaned off, and the bronze statue polished with wax.
Blenheim Palace
Old layers of gold paint were removed from the Mermaid Fountain and replaced with sparkling new gold leaf.
Blenheim Palace —
Old layers of gold paint were removed from the Mermaid Fountain and replaced with sparkling new gold leaf.
Blenheim Palace
Every winter, Blenheim Palace staff undertake a 'deep clean' that takes six weeks. A valuable Chinese ornament is being carefully cleaned with a special, natural bristle brush.
Blenheim Palace —
Every winter, Blenheim Palace staff undertake a 'deep clean' that takes six weeks. A valuable Chinese ornament is being carefully cleaned with a special, natural bristle brush.
Blenheim Palace
This solid silver centerpiece is being polished as part of Blenhaim Palace's annual deep clean. Weighing over 100 pounds, it shows the first Duke of Marlborough on horseback after the Battle of Blenheim.
Blenheim Palace —
This solid silver centerpiece is being polished as part of Blenhaim Palace's annual deep clean. Weighing over 100 pounds, it shows the first Duke of Marlborough on horseback after the Battle of Blenheim.
Blenheim Palace
Sudeley Castle, located in the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire, was built in the 15th century. It was besieged, and parts of it ruined, during the English Civil War. Home to the Dent-Brocklehurst family for the last 200 years, it is known for its beautiful gardens.
Sudeley Castle —
Sudeley Castle, located in the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire, was built in the 15th century. It was besieged, and parts of it ruined, during the English Civil War. Home to the Dent-Brocklehurst family for the last 200 years, it is known for its beautiful gardens.
Ryan Dearnaley
Couples come from all over the world to get married at Sudeley Castle. Around 20 weddings take place every year, providing a significant boost to the Castle's finances.
Sudeley Castle —
Couples come from all over the world to get married at Sudeley Castle. Around 20 weddings take place every year, providing a significant boost to the Castle's finances.
Springle Photography
Couples can have their wedding blessed in St Mary's, the private chapel of the Dent-Brocklehurst family. The chapel houses the marble tomb of Katherine Parr, the last of the six wives of King Henry VIII. On sunny days the chapel's creamy Cotswold stone walls are illuminated by the reds and blues of the stained glass windows.
Sudeley Castle —
Couples can have their wedding blessed in St Mary's, the private chapel of the Dent-Brocklehurst family. The chapel houses the marble tomb of Katherine Parr, the last of the six wives of King Henry VIII. On sunny days the chapel's creamy Cotswold stone walls are illuminated by the reds and blues of the stained glass windows.
Sudeley Castle
Sudeley Castle hosts occasional jousting tournaments with both horses and knights (played by professional stunt riders) in full medieval costume. The events -- which attract up to 2,500 visitors -- are held behind the Castle in a field which overlooks formal gardens and ancient ruins.
Sudeley Castle —
Sudeley Castle hosts occasional jousting tournaments with both horses and knights (played by professional stunt riders) in full medieval costume. The events -- which attract up to 2,500 visitors -- are held behind the Castle in a field which overlooks formal gardens and ancient ruins.
Cavalry of Heroes
Longleat, in Wiltshire, is the seat of the Marquesses of Bath. In 1949 it became the first stately home to fully open its doors to the public.
Longleat —
Longleat, in Wiltshire, is the seat of the Marquesses of Bath. In 1949 it became the first stately home to fully open its doors to the public.
Longleat
Longleat is home to the first drive-through safari park outside Africa -- an initiative designed to generate much-needed funds. When it first opened in 1966, visitors queued for hours for the chance to see its pride of African lions.
Longleat —
Longleat is home to the first drive-through safari park outside Africa -- an initiative designed to generate much-needed funds. When it first opened in 1966, visitors queued for hours for the chance to see its pride of African lions.
Longleat
Longleat's troupe of rhesus macaques love climbing on cars and surprising visitors.
Longleat —
Longleat's troupe of rhesus macaques love climbing on cars and surprising visitors.
Longleat
Longleat's Sky Safari is a three-day hot air ballooning extravaganza featuring mass balloon launches and magical 'night glows'.
Longleat —
Longleat's Sky Safari is a three-day hot air ballooning extravaganza featuring mass balloon launches and magical 'night glows'.
Longleat