Summer Events at Blenheim Palace

There’s a whole host of fun activities taking place at Blenheim Palace over the summer holidays which are guaranteed to inspire and entertain visitors young and old.

Throughout July and August youngsters can enjoy hours of fun in the Pleasure Gardens, with a range of special workshops and activities to get involved in.

Explore the giant hedge maze, Butterfly House and Adventure Playground. There is also a bouncy castle, giant board games and the Lavender Garden to enjoy.

Bring history to life with the ‘Art of the Duel’, an interactive performance taking place in the Great Courtyard. Watch as actors perform choreographed stage-fights, interspersed with stories, techniques and the history of solving an aristocratic spat! Visitors will also learn about a very important duel which took place centuries ago and involved none-other than the 1st Duke of Marlborough.

Don’t miss these fantastic events taking place on certain dates throughout the summer.

Pre ’50 American Auto Club ‘Rally of the Giants’ – July 8th
The must-visit event for anyone with an interest in American motorcars, trucks, military vehicles and bikes. This year more than 400 classic American vehicles will be on show, including some of the finest and most valuable examples to be found anywhere in Europe, dating from the early 1920’s through to the seventies.

The Great British Garden Party – July 14th
Enjoy a very British affair at Britain’s Greatest Palace. Celebrate the glorious Great Outdoors and “all things British” with friends and family exploring the Palace inside and out. Linger at story time in the secret garden with Mary Poppins, bump into Bond, James Bond and later take the lead from our professional dancers as they lindy hop, jive and waltz the evening away. Watch vintage cricket with live commentary from Henry Blofeld. In the evening gather in the Great Court for a British firework finale set to the words of the greatest Briton of all time Sir Winston Churchill along with favourite classics including Land of Hope and Glory.

Tracing their Footsteps’ High-Wire Walk – August 11th – 12th
Step back in time with the incredible Bullzini Family to an unusual part of our history when the famous high-wire walker Carlos Trower scaled great heights above the Lake at Blenheim Palace in 1886. Prepare to be fascinated and watch with bated breath as the same walk is re-enacted with some dazzling and gravity defying displays along the way! Visitors can enjoy music from the Bletchingdon and Oxfordshire Cherwell Brass Bands plus see a Victorian Strong Man, Acrobats, Jugglers, Stilt Walkers, Mr Phoebus on his Penny Farthing and discover Victorian Fairgrounds Rides.

Family Cycling Day – August 19th
Enjoy this unique annual opportunity to cycle around the picturesque Parkland of Blenheim Palace. Bring a bicycle (and helmet please!) and take in the scenery and fresh air. Pack a picnic and make it a day to remember. Two routes will be available; one around Queen Pool and one around the Park perimeter. Extra bike racks will be available for cyclists wishing to make the most of their day to include a visit to the Palace.

Immersion Theatre: Peter Pan – August 26th – 27th
Soar away to Neverland and get ready to think happy thoughts and fly high as the mischievous Peter embarks on an awfully big adventure, introducing the Darling children to the lost boys, the cheeky Tinkerbell, the hilarious Smee, and a host of other exciting characters before facing the most feared villain of them all, the infamous Captain Hook!

Filled with catchy music, heaps of audience interaction, a laugh-a-minute script, and the opportunity to meet the characters after the show, this hilarious and exciting musical of the boy who never grew up promises to have every member of the family entertained throughout…You’ll be HOOKED!

Blenheim Palace Festival of Transport – August 26th – 27th
On Sunday the festival will feature the Classic Car Show and on Monday they will be joined by motorcycles, Minis and VW’s, Customs, Hot Rods and Americans, Kit and Sports Cars.

The two-day event has the added bonus of vehicle judging and an experienced motor commentator to talk us through the day’s events.

Blenheim Palace Classic and Supercar Show – September 2nd
Enjoy an unmissable opportunity to see the most extravagant and spectacular cars on the planet. Get closer than ever before to the world’s greatest automotive marques such as Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Koenigsegg, Lamborghini, Maserati, McLaren, Noble, Pagani, Rimac, Rolls-Royce, Zenvo and many others.

Don’t miss the Pirelli Prestige & Performance Competition in the Great Court, featuring 80 sensational super and hypercars built from 1976 to current day. With eight pre-selected classes including ‘Hypercars from the Lawn’, ‘Super Roadsters’, ‘30th Anniversary of the Ferrari F40’, ‘Pin Ups’ and ‘Porsche 911 Targa’, it’s an exciting competition culminating in the Winner’s Parade later in the afternoon.

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