Held in June each year, the RHS Blenheim Palace Flower Show is a wonderful horticultural show set in the surroundings of arguably England’s finest stately home.
The show is expected to attract over 300 exhibitors, and will feature Garden Talks, as well as a Plant Village.
The heart of the show will be the Grand Floral Pavilion where experts will be on hand to give priceless tips to gardening enthusiasts.
The flower show Blenheim Palace is not exclusively about gardens and gardening, as inside the Home and Country Living Pavilion you can purvey original jewellery, giftware and luxury household goods.
Alternatively pop into the Food and Drink Pavilion for tastings of artisanal produce, including Truckle Cheese Sausage and Masons Gin. There will also be live music and other entertainment.
History of Blenheim Palace
Home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1704, Blenheim was designed in the English Baroque style of the early 18th century. It was built between 1705 and 1722 and intended as a gift to John Churchill, the First Duke of Marlborough. The 41-metre-high Column of Victory that overlooks Brown’s parkland is dedicated to the Duke.
However, royal support for the scheme was cancelled in 1712, apparently following a falling out between Queen Anne and the Duke’s wife. Churchill fled to the Continent, only returning the day after the Queen’s death on 1 August 1714.
Sir John Vanburgh, who had designed Castle Howard in Yorkshire, was initially appointed architect for the project – although the Duchess preferred Sir Christopher Wren. However, after spiralling costs and a dispute as to whether the Crown or Churchill should foot the bill, Vanburgh was removed from the project. Eventually, his assistant Nicholas Hawksmoor was recalled to complete the design in 1723. It is not known when it was eventually completed, but the Duchess of Marlborough was still complaining about costs as late as 1735.
Blenheim Palace Tickets
To purchase tickets for Blenheim Palace including a Blenheim Palace annual pass, click here.
Blenheim Palace Opening Times
The park is open from 9am to 6pm, with Blenheim Palace itself open from 10.30am to 5.30pm (last entry at 4.45pm). The Orangery Restaurant is open from 10am to 5pm, although food is only served from 12pm and last orders are at 4.30pm.
When Is the Blenheim Palace Flower Show 2024?
21 to 23 June 2024
Blenheim Palace Flower Show Opening Times
The leading UK flower show will be open from 10am to 5pm.
Blenheim Palace Flower Show Tickets
Tickets for park and gardens only cost: Adult: £28; Child: £13.50; Family: £80. Tickets including entrance to Blenheim Palace, cost: Adult: £38; Child: £22; Family: £99.
Purchasing Blenheim Palace Flower Show 2024 Tickets
To purchase tickets for the Blenheim Palace Flower Show, visit www.blenheimflowershow.co.uk
Read about Mark Bibby Jackson’s review of Blenheim Palace for All Seasons.
More information about Blenheim Place
Visit the official site.
