Blenheim Palace and The Marlborough Maze

Oxford, Oxfordshire, England South East

Recommendation added: 25/03/2006 18:31
By: jsimons128 (YSUK rating +100)

jsimons128 has been thanked 2 times for this contribution

"Blenheim Palace was built for john Churchill, 1st duke of Marlborough in recognition of his great victory over the French at the battle of Blenheim in 1704. The palace was designed by sir john Vanburgh, is set in 2,100 acres of parkland landscaped by Capability Brown and is one of the finest examples of English baroque. The collection comprises tapestries, paintings, sculptures and fine furniture set in magnificent gilded staterooms. The long library is of outstanding beauty, and measuring 183' in length, it is one of the longest rooms in an English private house. It contains some 10,000 volumes and a magnificent four manual Willis organ. Blenheims gardens are renowned for their beauty and range from the former water terraces. Italian garden and rose garden to the natural charm of the arboretum, pleasure grounds and cascade.

The Marlborough Maze

The Marlborough Maze, which opened in 1991, the year of the maze, is the world's largest symbolic hedge maze and is a must for visitors. Along with the putting greens, giant chess and draughts and children's inflatable castles it is in the walled garden, within the pleasure gardens complex. Some 600 yards from the palace, the pleasure gardens also include the butterfly house, garden cafeteria, adventure play area and ship."