[dropcap type =”circle”]B[/dropcap]lenheim Palace has opened the palace’s Private Apartments to the public for 2017, offering visitors an intimate look at Marlborough family life in three exciting tours.
Until 30 October, visitors will have the exclusive opportunity to explore the East Side of the Palace; the Duke of Marlborough’s Private Apartments. Discover the opulence of the rooms in which the Marlborough family have lived for generations, and learn about family life at Blenheim Palace.
Duke’s Floor Tours
The intimate tour begins with climbing the Main Stairs and peeking into the Dressing Room and through the Duke’s Corridor. Taking visitors on an intimate tour of family life, visitors will view the Master Bedroom and Dining Room. Visitors will enjoy seeing the Sitting Room where His Grace and family relax and mixes priceless heirlooms with modern technology.
Walking through the Bar Area, visitors will be led to the Smoking Room which contains full size tapestries from the Alexandra the Great series which were commissioned by the 1st Duke.
In the extended tour, running at 10.45am and 1.25pm, visitors will also be taken around the Grand Cabinet, a room full of opulent history and family heirlooms. The Visitor’s Book will also be on display, turned to the page of Clementine Hozier and Sir Winston Churchill. The signatures are dated directly after the meal that followed their engagement at the Temple of Diana in Blenheim Palace’s parkland. On the same page visitors can see Clementine’s signature from the first time that she returned to the palace after her marriage.
Upstairs Tour
The ‘Upstairs’ Tour takes visitors on an exclusive tour of the Blenheim Palace Guest Rooms, none of which have been open to the public before. Previous guests have included Queen Mary, King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, as well as Cecil Beaton and Yves Saint Lauren.
Visitors will also see family rooms such as the Blandford Bedroom, the Sunderland Dressing Room and Bachelors’ Row in the tour which includes secret corridors, interlinking doors and spiral staircases.
Downstairs Tour
Servants were essential to the aristocratic way of life. It would have been completely impossible for the family to take care of themselves, to manage the house, look after the children and let alone host a fancy dinner party, without the help of servants.
The 4th Duke had the largest retinue of servants and the number increased each time his wife had a baby. At its largest there were 102 servants to look after the family. However during times of austerity, and particularly during World War I, a handful of staff valiantly managed the Palace, Estate and a temporary convalescence hospital.
Visitors will wander through the network of corridors, see the iconic bell system and learn the gossip and perks of the job from the staff’s point of view.
Guests must book at the Welcome Desk or Great Hall on the day; Palace, Park and Gardens ticket is also required.
WHAT: Private Apartment Tours at Blenheim Palace
WHEN: Daily until 30 October (some dates excluded)
WHY VISIT: Discover the private side of Blenheim Palace, learn about the 300 years of history in the rooms.
ADMISSION: Tours £5.00 Adult & £4.50 Concession + Palace, Park & Gardens ticket Adult £24.90, Concession £20.90
WEBSITE: www.blenheimpalace.com