Ready for a grand feast! Blenheim Palace unveils its stunning festive table where the Duke of Marlborough and his family will enjoy their Christmas dinner – complete with gold candlesticks, lavish garlands and two Christmas trees
- Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire is offering visitors a look at classic and traditional Christmas decor this year
- UK’s only non-royal palace has been transformed into a remarkable festive paradise for guests to enjoy
- Palace doesn’t have a theme this year as they scale back, but the lavish state rooms are safely open for visitors
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Blenheim Palace has unveiled its stunning traditional festive decor ahead of the Marlborough family’s Christmas celebrations, as they invite visitors to experience the classic winter look of the state rooms – complete with dazzling trees, twinkling lights and festive garlands.
The UK’s only non-royal palace, the family seat of the Duke of Marlborough, has been transformed into a remarkable Yuletide paradise for visitors to enjoy until January 3rd.
While the Oxfordshire venue is renowned for its spectacular and inventive themes – with last year’s being an Alice In Wonderland extravaganza, this year the family have decided to scale back their display.
Since the palace is in tier two, where visitor attractions can remain open, the lavish state rooms are available for guests to see, as well as the Cecily Brown Contemporary Art Exhibition – but there will not be a Christmas Market this year due to the pandemic.
Pictures showcase The Saloon, the state dining room at the palace and where the Marlborough family traditionally have their Christmas Day celebrations, dressed for a festive banquet with elaborate gold candlesticks and serving platters, beautiful winter floral displays and two Christmas trees.
Blenheim Palace has unveiled its stunning traditional Christmas decor as it invites guests to experience the classic festive look of its state rooms – complete with dazzling trees, twinkling lights and festive garlands. Pictured, Deputy Collections Manager Carmen Alvarez sets out the table
The UK’s only non-royal palace, the family seat of the Duke of Marlborough, has been transformed into a remarkable Yuletide paradise (pictured) for visitors to enjoy until January 3rd
While the Oxfordshire venue is renowned for its spectacular and inventive themes – with last year’s being an Alice In Wonderland extravaganza, this year the family have decided to offer a scale backed display (pictured)
Looking winter ready, the grand room, which can accommodate up to 80 diners, is where the Marlborough family traditionally have their Christmas Day dinner.
The palace, a World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Winston Churchill, is a particularly spectacular place to visit in winter, where the formal gardens are transformed into a festive trail of lights.
It’s been used as decor for many successful movies, from Harry Potter to the Favourite and James Bond.
A statement about the Christmas decorations on the Blenheim Palace website read: ‘We won’t be having a theme in 2020, but the Palace will be open for you to come and enjoy the lavish state rooms including the Cecily Brown Contemporary Art Exhibition.
Since the palace is in tier two, where visitor attractions can remain open, the lavish state rooms (pictured) are available for guests to see, as well as the Cecily Brown Contemporary Art Exhibition – but there will not be a Christmas Market this year due to the pandemic
The Saloon, the palace’s state dining room, has been dressed for a festive banquet with elaborate gold candlesticks and serving platters, beautiful winter floral displays and two Christmas trees (pictured)
Looking winter ready, the grand room (pictured), which can accommodate up to 80 diners, is where the Marlborough family traditionally have their Christmas Day celebrations
The palace (pictured), a World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Winston Churchill, is a particularly spectacular place to visit in winter, where the formal gardens are transformed into a festive trail of lights
‘There will be some decorated Christmas trees throughout for a little festive feel. Our halls may not be decked as much, but we will definitely have the fires lit ready to give you a warm welcome.
‘We’ve made changes to our Christmas plans to keep you safe on your visit, unfortunately this means there will not be a Christmas Market this year.
‘However, we can confirm both will be back for Christmas 2021 where you will be able to see The Story of The Nutcracker adorn the Palace.’
Beautiful Blenheim: England’s princely dwelling where Sir Winston Churchill was born and raised
Built between 1705 and 1722 to celebrate victory over the French in the War of the Spanish Succession, the magnificent Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, is steeped in history.
Designed by John Vanbrugh, 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
It has been entertaining Kings, Queens and foreign leaders for centuries and still attracts about 500,000 visitors every year.
It is best known as the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, who was born at the palace in 1874 and proposed to his wife Clementine there.
Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire was designated as an UNESCO world heritage site in 1987
He is buried at St Martin’s Church in Bladon, on the edge of the estate.
The garden at Blenheim is one of the most historically significant landscapes of Capability Brown, created at what is widely regarded as the pinnacle of his career.
In 1874, when Sir Winston’s father Lord Randolph Churchill saw the stunning landscape for the first time, he declared it to be ‘the finest view in England’.
Its grandeur registered even with Hitler. According to wartime lore, he planned to move in after invading England and ordered the Luftwaffe not to bomb it. Blenheim is the only non-royal country house in England to hold the title of palace.