Christmas at Blenheim

England

See the palace in a whole new light

A stunning example of the English Baroque style, the UNESCO-listed Blenheim Palace is one of the finest palaces in Britain. The birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, it dates back to the 18^th century and is surrounded by ‘Capability’ Brown landscaping. The property’s lovely formal gardens come to life in the darkness of winter thanks to the Blenheim Illuminated Light Trail, which delights visitors with stunning coloured light displays designed to highlight the palace’s grand exterior. Fire pits, nostalgic rides, seasonal gifts and hot drinks complete the festivities. Blenheim lies close to the Cotswolds and the glorious city of Oxford, which means there are plenty of other attractions in the area to enjoy during a cosy winter break.

FESTIVE FUN AT BLENHEIM

Delight in the twinkling trail

Oxford – explore the ‘City of Dreaming Spires’ (see ‘Alternatives’ below for some ideas)
Blenheim Palace Illuminated Light Trail – festive displays to brighten the winter
Executive coach travel from your choice of pick up points
1 night half board accommodation in a suitable hotel

From £229 per person

based on two sharing in a twin/double room, with a minimum of 30 passengers travelling in a specific month

Best time to go

November, December

Suggested Hotel

Holiday Inn Oxford

Convenient location on the outskirts of the city
Modern, comfortable bedrooms
Spacious and contemporary bar
Outdoor terrace

Not the hotel for your group? Other hotels are available, contact us.

Attractions:

Blenheim Palace Illuminated Light Trail

Get into the Christmas spirit at Blenheim Palace by following their Illuminated Light Trail. As part of Christmas at Blenheim, follow the twinkling trail around the grand grounds of the famous palace, with features such as the Woodland Water Garden, the Fire Garden, and the Tunnel of Light. The display culminates with a finale on the Water Terrace, where carefully choreographed lights dance across the palace’s iconic façade.

Oxford

Immerse yourself in the history and heritage of this iconic English city. Most well-known for its ancient and world-renowned university, this golden-hued haunt of intellectuals is resplendent with historic colleges, elegant libraries and stunning cloisters. Bicycles line up amongst the domes and quadrangles, and as well as being home to a vibrant student population, fascinating museums also offer an alternative form of learning.

Team Comments:

“Spectacular - it made me feel very Christmassy!” (Jo)

Alternatives

Christmas in the Palace

If you’d like to also explore inside the stunning Blenheim Palace, the lavish state rooms are dressed for Christmas. A theme is designated each year to ensure that these exquisite interiors are transformed into a magical and festive spectacle.

The Ashmolean

Founded in 1683, this esteemed art and archaeology museum is part of the University of Oxford. The Ashmolean’s varied collections span centuries and tell human stories, representing many of the world’s great civilisations. With diverse exhibitions including Egyptian treasures, Anglo-Saxon artefacts, contemporary paintings, Asian ceramics, and casts of Greek and Roman sculpture, there really is something for everyone.

The Sheldonian Theatre

Oxford’s striking Sheldonian Theatre dates back to the 17^th century and was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Inspired by the theatres of ancient Rome, the building was technically innovative in its construction and its features are elaborately rich in craftsmanship. Inside, it boasts a splendidly baroque painted ceiling.

The Bodleian Library

Oxford University’s Bodleian Library is one of the oldest working libraries in the world. Explore this ancient centre of learning on a group tour, which takes in the evocative 15^th century Divinity School and the wonderfully medieval Duke Humfrey’s Library. Uncover the history and secrets of this fascinating institution, a home to centuries-old books.

Burford

Bustling Burford is a picturesque medieval town on the Windrush River. Its broad High Street sweeps down toward an ancient bridge, and is lined with wonky Tudor buildings. Also worth exploring are the quaint side streets and snug alleyways, down which you can find tearooms, antiques dealers and old public houses.

Broughton Castle

This fascinating, fortified property near Banbury is a medieval moated manor house. Its core dates back to the 1300s, and it was crenelated in the 15^th century when it came to be known as Broughton Castle. Much of the property as it is seen today was built in the 1500s, and it is surrounded by romantic walled gardens.

Stonor Park

This grand manor house has been home to the Stonor family for over 850 years. Touring this property is a walk through history and several architectural styles: it has medieval origins, a Gothic revival hall, a 17^th century library, a long gallery, a red brick façade and Italianate gardens.

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