Blenheim Palace: Day Trips and Tours from London

In the unassuming corner of Woodstock in Oxfordshire, you will find Blenheim Palace. Constructed in a flamboyant English Baroque style, it was at the forefront of political intrigue in the 1700s, home of the Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Winston Churchill.

To learn more about this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can join a day trip to Blenheim Palace from London, while also taking the opportunity to explore the southern English countryside.

Here's all you need to know about Blenheim Palace, one of the most exciting day trips from London.

Getting to Blenheim Palace from London

Blenheim Palace is located just outside Oxford, about 100 kilometers northwest of London.

• By car: The fastest route to Blenheim Palace from London is via the M40 motorway. Under normal driving conditions, it takes just under 2 hours to complete the journey.
• By public transport: From the London Paddington station you can take a train to Oxford and from there continue to Woodstock via with the 3 or S7 bus service. The entire journey takes just over 2 hours.
• Guided tours to Blenheim Palace from London: One of the most convenient and popular ways of visiting Blenheim Palace from London is with a guided tour. Many tours offer a hotel pickup service, making travel easier and more comfortable. Additionally, guided tours often include visits to other areas of interest, offering a more comprehensive experience.

Ticket prices for Blenheim Palace

Park & Gardens tickets

• Adults: £28 (US$35)
• Children (aged 3-16): £13.50 (US$17)
• Family tickets (2 adults and 2 children): £80 (US$101)

Palace, Park & Gardens

(includes access to Palace State Rooms, multilingual audio guide and exhibitions)

• Adults: £38 (US$48)
• Children (aged 3-16): £22 (US$23)
• Family tickets (2 adults and 2 children): £99 (US$125)

Typical Blenheim Palace excursion itinerary

Excursions from London to Blenheim Palace begin with a journey by coach or minivan through the English countryside, with live commentary from your tour guide.

Depending on your itinerary, you may stop along the way to explore some of the picturesque villages, At Blenheim Palace you will tour the palace and then be free to explore the gardens and park.

Following your visit to the palace, you may continue with a meal in a traditional pub and more sightseeing in the region, before returning to London.

Types of tours to Blenheim Palace from London

Guided tours to Blenheim Palace plus the Cotswolds from London

The most straightforward way of visiting Blenheim Palace is with a guided tour that also covers the Cotswolds. On these excursions, you will visit the palace as well as villages in the surrounding area, with a guide on hand to provide commentary.  Certain tours will also highlight shooting locations of the hit drama series "Downton Abbey" and may include lunch in a traditional pub.

Our pick: Blenheim Palace, Downton Abbey and Cotswolds Tour

• Includes: Roundtrip transfers, expert tour guide, personal audio headset, optional palace entry
• Price: £79 without Blenheim Palace entry or £110 with palace entry
• Duration: 10 hours

Self-guided tour to Blenheim Palace from London

If you would like to visit Blenheim Palace on your own, you can book a private transfer for the day. These tours may not include a guide, however with a personal driver at the wheel, you can soak in the scenery and explore the palace with gardens and park at your own pace.

Our pick: Luxury Vehicle Day Hire to Blenheim Palace and Cotswolds

• Includes: Private roundtrip transfers, personal driver
• Price: £1,085 per group (up to 6 travelers)
• Duration: 12 hours

Private tour to Blenheim Palace from London

For a more relaxed and intimate experience at Blenheim Palace, there are a number of private tours from London. These tours are ideal for small groups and families, as they provide entry tickets and luxury transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off.

Our pick: Blenheim Palace Private Tour

• Includes: Private roundtrip transfers, professional guide, entry tickets
• Price: £820 per group (up to 4 travelers)
• Duration: 6 hours

Private tour to Blenheim Palace plus Oxford or the Cotswolds from London

Should you have more time available and would like to spend your day in the English countryside, you can opt for a private tour that also includes visits to Oxford or villages in the Cotswolds region.

Aside from providing luxury transportation and a hotel pickup and drop-off service, these tours are also flexible, allowing you to tailor them to your interests and preferences.

Our pick: Private Cotswolds, Oxford and Blenheim Palace Day Trip

• Includes: Private roundtrip transfers, driver/guide
• Price: £1,089 per group (up to 6 travelers)
• Duration: 10 hours

Cost of Blenheim Palace day trips from London

Guided tours to Blenheim and the Cotswolds usually cost about £80 to £180 per person, depending on the itinerary, inclusions and duration.

Private transfers to Blenheim Palace from London are typically charged per vehicle, with prices ranging from £750 to £1,000, depending on vehicle size, itinerary and length of hire.

Private tours to Blenheim Palace usually cost £200 to £300 per person, depending on group size. For excursions that also cover Cotswolds and Oxford, the price ranges from £250 to £350 per person, according to the itinerary.

Highlights at Blenheim Palace

Among the highlights in the exterior areas as the Formal Gardens, Water Terraces and exotic Secret Garden, while the Marlborough Maze and Butterfly House stand out in the Pleasure Gardens. The Grand Bridge offers a spectacular view of the lakes, where you can hire rowboats.

Should you take a tour inside, you can explore many of the lavishly decorated rooms, including Winston Churchill’s birth room. Tickets that include access indoors also allow you to check out the Churchill and Stables exhibitions.

Blenheim Palace will also be of interest to cinephiles, as it has featured in many movies. Many areas have appeared in major productions such as "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", James Bond's "Spectre", the television series "The Royals" and a host of period dramas.

Blenheim Palace opening hours

The opening hours for Blenheim Palace are as follows:

• Palace: 10:30 AM to 4:45 PM
• Park: 9 AM to 5 PM
• Formal Gardens: 10 AM to 4 PM
• Walled Garden: 10 AM to 4 PM

Accessibility at Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace is accessible to wheelchair users, however some surfaces around the gardens are uneven. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available for hire from the Access Desk. The palace also features a touch tour available for visually impaired visitors, and offers a tour in British Sign Language for visitors with hearing impairments.

Best time to visit Blenheim Palace

The best time for a visit to Blenheim Palace is during the summer, when it is warmer and there is less chance of rain. During the summer, you may also get to see a cricket match on the grounds.

Tours to Blenheim Palace from other UK cities

There are tours to Blenheim Palace departing from the following cities in the UK:

• Day trips to Blenheim Palace from Oxford

Travel tips

• Wear comfortable shoes to get around the palace grounds and gardens.
• Food and drink at the cafés and restaurants can be pricey, so budget-conscious visitors can bring their own snacks.
• Make sure to pack an umbrella when visiting on overcast days, just in case it rains.