This is an experiment in presenting a series of pictures about one subject. The pictures at left will change at the rate of once every 6.5 seconds. The explanation for each scene is contained here. The total time required to see all that we have provided (22 scenes) is 143 seconds or 2 minutes and 13 seconds.

BLENHEIM PALACE

This is Blenheim Palace. The residence of the Duke of Marlborough and it was given to John Churchill, the First Duke, by Queen Anne. The Royal Manor of Woodstock was given and Queen Anne would build him a house at her expense. £240,000 was given by Queen Anne with the approval of Parliament, but it is known that the Duke and the Duchess contributed at least £60,000 at the beginning and many thousands more later.

As one approaches the palace the drive is considerable distance and the grounds are used for parking. We were there in the middle of October and there was a considerable crowd although most can be missed by visiting early or late to miss all the day trippers (Hours are 10:30-17:30 mid-March thru the end of October. Last entry is 16:45).

The Standard of the Duke is flown on the east gate when he is in residence.

After passing through the east gate and across the East Court one comes to the clock gate. The clock by Langley Bradley has the dial seen in the east court at movement level, but the other three dials are a storey higher to be visible from the park.

After passing through the clock gate you enter the Great Court. When you face right you see the iron gate, the Grand Bridge and the Victory Column to the north. Do an about face and one faces the main entrance (south) to the palace with the Clock Gate (east) to the left.

As one approaches the main entrance, with the private quarters on the left, it seems to become more massive as you go into the Great Hall (67 feet/20 metres high) and then proceed on the tour.

One of the more interesting rooms was the room where Sir Winston Churchill was born on November 30, 1874.

Just outside the Green Drawing Room, is the China Cabinet with it's services of Meissen (Dresden) and Sèvres china. The Meissen date from the 3rd Duke and was given to him by the King of Poland in exchange for a pack of staghounds about 1750.

The next scenes are the Green Drawing Room followed by the Red Drawing Room. The Green Writing Room holds the most famous tapestry in the palace, showing the the First Duke accepting the surrender of Marshall Tallard.

The brilliant red, the frescoes and the doorcases distinguish the Saloon now used by the family as a state dining room once a year, on Christmas Day.

The Quit-rent standard is presented to the Sovereign as 'rent' for Blenheim on every anniversary of the Battle of Blenheim (13th August). It is then put on display in the Guard Room of Windsor Castle. You will see that when you reach the Windsor Castle tour portion of this Virtual Tour.

There are three State Rooms, with the Second State Room being pictured here.

The final scene inside the Palace is that of the Long Library. It is 180 feet (55 metres) long and was designed as a picture gallery. The famous Sunderland (the heir to the Dukedom bears the title of Earl of Sunderland) Library once housed here was sold in 1882. The current library was collected by the 9th Duke.

The forward button finishes the Blenheim Palace visit with a picture and discussion about the Line of Descent.

An Index of key sights, stops, B&B's, food and general recommendations is provided at INDEX.