Non-royal country house that holds the title of palace and resided once by Winston Churchill - Blenheim Palace 425
What and Why
Blenheim Palace is a monumental country house in Woodstock, United Kingdom. It is the principal residence of the Dukes of Marlborough, and the only non-royal, non-episcopal country house in England to hold the title of palace. The palace, one of England's largest mansions, was built in the early 18th century CE. The palace is named for the 18th century CE Battle of Blenheim, and thus ultimately after Blenheim (German: Blindheim) in Germany.
It was originally intended to be a reward to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough for his military triumphs against the French and Germans in the War of the Spanish Succession, culminating in the Battle of Blenheim. The land was given as a gift, and construction began in the early 18th century CE, with some financial support from Queen Anne (née Anne Stuart). The project soon became the subject of political infighting, with the cancellation further financial support in 1712 CE.
Designed in the rare English Baroque style, it is unique in its combined use as a Churchill's family home and mausoleum for the next three centuries. The palace is notable as the birthplace and ancestral home of Sir Winston Churchill. The design and building of the palace represented the beginning of a new style of architecture and its landscaped park, and is often referrred to as 'a naturalistic Versailles'.
Toponymy
Woodstock is Old English for clearing in the woods, while the origin of Blenheim or Blindheim is obscure.
See
Blenheim Palace
The site covers a massive 28,000 m2 plot of land. The plan of the formidable palace's principal block is a rectangle pierced by two courtyards. In the design of great 18th-century CE houses comfort and convenience were subservient to magnificence, and this is certainly the case at Blenheim to reflect the power and civilisation of the nation. To create this monumental effect, a strong Baroque style, using great masses of stone to imitate strength is used as decoration.
The interior of the mansion is very similar to other stately houses of Europe and it has been converted to a living museum.
Ceiling fresco.
The pipe organ is apparently quite an important icon in the palace.
The mansion has now become a fantastic museum of Winston Churchill, and the rooms inside are designed to illustrate Churchill's story and history, through a series of connected rooms with some Disney-style animatronics and themed walks.
Park
Blenheim sits in the centre of a massive park. The palace is linked to the gardens by a miniature railway, and the park is featured by the Column of Victory.
Blenheim park is considered a classic example of the English landscape garden style.
Harry Potter tree
Harry Potter fan's delight: A big cedar with a hole inside is now named the Harry Potter tree as it was featured in the movie Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Getting There and Around
While there are regular buses and private tour serving the palace from Oxford, the palace is actually in the middle of nowhere. The palace is largely walkable, while the park is very large, possibly walkable only to the column of victory. The entrance fee to the palace is a whopping GBP £28.50! Easily you can spend a good day here.
UNESCO Inscription
Blenheim Palace, near Oxford, stands in a romantic park created by the famous landscape gardener 'Capability' Brown. It was presented by the English nation to John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough, in recognition of his victory in 1704 over French and Bavarian troops. Built between 1705 and 1722 and characterized by an eclectic style and a return to national roots, it is a perfect example of an 18th-century princely dwelling.
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