Blenheim Palace, Park and Gardens

About the garden

Designed By
Capability Brown

Blenheim Palace possibly boasts some of the finest outdoor spaces in Oxfordshire, with more than 90 acres of formal gardens and more than 2,000 acres of parkland to explore. The original layout of the gardens was the work of Vanbrugh, Bridgeman, Hawksmoor and Wise. Monuments on the park include the Grand Bridge and the Column of Victory, which date from the 1720s. The formal gardens were the work of Achille Duchêne in the 1920s and include the Italian Garden with its meticulously trimmed Golden Yew hedges and the Water Terraces, featuring a number of beautiful fountains. The fragrant Rose Garden was designed in the Victorian era and features more than eight varieties of rose in bushes and climbing trellises making beautiful archways.

In contrast to the formal gardens and sweeping parkland, the Secret Garden, restored in 2004, is a secluded area where winding paths lead over bridges of tranquil water. This informal style – and the fact that the plants here are named – provides a welcoming atmosphere for keen gardeners and families alike. The Churchill Memorial Garden is the latest addition to the formal gardens. The garden features a path 90m long, intertwined with beds of poppies, snowdrops and wildflowers. Milestones are incorporated into the path, allowing visitors to walk the timeline of Churchill’s incredible life.

The parkland was landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown and is known as one of his largest projects. Visitors can take a dedicated trail, visiting the most impressive viewpoints and learning about how Brown transformed the landscape. The park and formal gardens at Blenheim Palace are open throughout the year, so whether it’s the blooming of daffodils in spring, the smell of roses of summer or the sight of changing leaves in the park in autumn, there is always more to discover.