Blenheim Palace Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Blenheim Palace *
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Blenheim Palace IMG 3673.JPG View of front and main entrance of palace
Country	United Kingdom
Type	Cultural
Criteria	ii, iv
Reference	425
Region **	Europe and North America
Inscription history
Inscription	1987 (11th Session)
Name as inscribed on World Heritage List ** Region as classified by UNESCO

Blenheim Palace is a huge and beautiful building located in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England. It was built to look very impressive! This amazing place is so special that UNESCO has named it a World Heritage Site.

A Grand Story: Why Blenheim Palace Was Built
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A Grand Story: Why Blenheim Palace Was Built

This incredible palace was constructed to celebrate a big victory. This win happened in 1704, during a battle against the French at a place called Blenheim. It was a way to honor the hero of that battle.

Who Designed This Amazing Place?

The design of this grand country home was a team effort. Two famous architects, Sir John Vanbrugh and Nicholas Hawksmoor, planned the palace. They made sure it looked magnificent.

The huge park around the palace is also very special. It was designed by a famous landscape artist named Capability Brown. He created the beautiful gardens and lakes you see today.

The Churchill Family's Home

Blenheim Palace has been the home of the Churchill family for centuries. The first owner was John Churchill, who was known as the 1st Duke of Marlborough. His family members still live in parts of the palace today.

A very famous person was born right here at Blenheim Palace: Sir Winston Churchill. He later became a well-known Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Blenheim Palace: A World Heritage Site

Because of its unique history, architecture, and beautiful park, Blenheim Palace was recognized internationally. In 1987, it was officially named a World Heritage Site. This means it's considered important for everyone in the world to protect and enjoy.

Gallery

Drawing of main entrance, 1715
General plan, 1725
Wrought iron gate

List of World Heritage Sites of the United Kingdom

Images for kids

Blenheim Palace
Around 1705, a painting of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough by Sir Godfrey Kneller.
Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough in 1700 by Sir Godfrey Kneller.
An old picture of Blenheim Palace.
The architect Sir John Vanbrugh around 1705, in a painting by Godfrey Kneller.
Blenheim Palace's west side, showing its unique tall stone towers.
The Grand Bridge in Blenheim Park, built between 1722 and 1724 by Vanbrugh.
The Hensington Gates, the main entrance to Blenheim Park, built in 1709 by Hawksmoor.
An 18th-century picture showing The Great Court.
A plan of Blenheim Palace's main floor. You can look through all the doors in a row from one end to the other!
The Grand Salon inside Blenheim Palace, around 1918, painted by William Bruce Ellis Ranken.
The architect made the east gate look taller by slightly tapering its sides. The iron gates are from the 1840s.
The unique top part of the south entrance has a 30-ton marble bust of Louis XIV, taken by Marlborough in 1709.
The Great Hall ceiling, painted in 1716, shows the Duke of Marlborough presenting his battle plan.
The tomb of the 1st Duke of Marlborough in the palace chapel, designed by William Kent and sculpted by John Michael Rysbrack.
The Saloon ceiling, painted around 1720 by Louis Laguerre, shows the Duke of Marlborough's triumph.
The Library, designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor (1722–1725), with a large pipe organ.
The Saloon with wall paintings, painted around 1720 by Louis Laguerre.
The Temple of Diana, built between 1772 and 1773 by Willam Chambers.
Blenheim Palace, looking across the east side's Italian garden to the orangery.
A map of Blenheim Palace Park and gardens from 1835.
The Column of Victory in the Palace grounds, built between 1727 and 1730.
The Great Lake, created around 1764–1774 by Capability Brown.
The waterfall where water flows out of the Great Lake.
The Woodstock gate to the park, built in 1723 by Nicholas Hawksmoor.
Charles, the 9th Duke of Marlborough, with his family in 1905, painted by John Singer Sargent.
The water terraces on the west side of the Palace, created between 1925 and 1931.
Consuelo, Duchess of Marlborough.
The "Bernini Fountain," a copy of a fountain in Rome, was placed here.
The Italian Garden on the east side of the Palace, created between 1908 and 1910.