Overview

BLENHEIM PALACE, one of the most popular visited attractions in England, interesting, historical, but very expensive to get in, so why is it so popular ? First, let’s check it’s history. On 26th May 1650, an English soldier and statesman, general John Churchill had gained the reputation of gaining military and political power during the 1670,s to 1680,s and became a big player in the world of politics. He secretly married Sarah Jennings in the winter of 1677-78 who herself became one of the most influential women of that period, and they were married for more than 40 years. ( In passing, we mention my great grandmother, an Oxford girl, Henrietta Jennings, as part of our family tree and many coincidences that occur during our visit to Woodstock, as you will see later on in our reviews while here in Oxfordshire ). John Churchill was one of the main people responsible for disposing of King James from the throne of England during 1688. He was rewarded by king William 111 for his support , with the title, Earl of Marlborough. Then following victory at the battle of Blenheim in 1704, the then queen of England, Queen Anne, happily gave him the Royal Manor of Woodstock, and John Churchill built his Blenheim Palace here, which was built between 1705 and 1722, with much help from his wife Sarah Jennings., and they had it built in the English Baroque style, and to this day it remains the only non-royal country house in England. Over a hundred years later, it became the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill (which will show another coincidence. In our own family history, which you can read about in our review of Bladon below. OUR REVIEW. We Started our day at Woodstock town, driving along Park street, (photo 1) enter SAT NAV OX20 1SR which lead us to the entrance for those people who wish to walk to see Blenheim Palace, as cars cannot enter the grounds from here. (photo 2). There is a kiosk to pay now, but if you ask nicely to be allowed to step inside the grounds to take a photo, staff are willing to help you. You will see a large pleasant lake with the Palace in the background (3) and a good photo can be taken of the palace (4). From this entrance it is a very long walk round to get to the palace car park and into the palace itself (5), it is best if after your photo you drive round to the main entrance driveway to see the grounds and palace itself (6). Enter SAT NAV OX20 1UL. However, if like us you don’t intend to go into the palace itself, and you are willing to join the queue for car park bays, and bear in mind it can take some time, ( SO NOW IS BEST TIME TO ENTER SAT NAV OX20 1RS ) then when reaching the kiosk, ask permission to exit right away, which the driveway is just a few feet away from the kiosk on your left as seen on (photo 7). It’s a pleasant drive through the estate but not a lot to see, but gives you an idea of the huge size of the estate. As approaching the far car park, turn left along the drive to the exit, it’s well signed. With sat NAV entered for Bladon, turn right at exit gate, and very quickly you are in Bladon village. The church of St Martin is not to easy to find so watch your sat NAV very carefully, turning left off the main road and then a sharp left on Church street. BLADON, CHURCH OF ST MARTIN. OX20 1RS Bladon itself is just a small village of honey coloured Cotswold stone cottages, attractive enough in parts, and it leads you to the church of St Martin. It is very difficult to park here, with just a few spaces on roadside if you can fit in, and you then enter the church yard through a small lych gate. Many old gravestones lie on the well kept grass areas, but you cannot identify any dates or names on the stones, but it’s round the back that the gravestones of the Spencer-Churchill family are seen. And there are many other old gravestones beyond this point. The first church was probably built in the 11/12th century, and there is a print of the old church hanging in the present church, before it was demolished in 1802. Then the 4th Duke of Marlborough gave financial support and a new church was built and opened in 1804. During 1891, alterations were carried out, and the present church can now be viewed, and in the church yard many of the Spencer-Churchill family members are laid here, including Sir Winston Churchill, where his remains are laid. After lying in state, his funeral was held on Saturday 30 January, and his coffin was escorted by military bands, with a 90 gun salute being fired as he passed St James park, London. At St Paul’s cathedral, over 3000 people attended the service, including Queen Elizabeth 11, the first time a non-royal member received the presence of royalty. To see photos of the procession at www.theguardian.com/uk-news/jan/Winston Churchill To see photos of his burial www.dailymail.co.uk/article-2929670.p His body was then brought to Woodstock, and he was laid to rest at St Martin church, Bladon.Our own photos show the gravestone as it is today, as the new stone had to replace the original after it became eroded due to so many visitors walking over the area. The whole country at that time mourned his passing away, as he had meant so much to them, following his leadership during the 2nd world war. On a personal note, my 11th great grandfather was buried here in 1597. He was Francis Jennings, (no relation to the 1st Duke of Marlborough John Churchills wife Sarah Jennings). Francis was born around 1546 at Bladon, and he married Elizabeth Wyse on 17th November 1566 at St Martin church, Bladon. They had six children, but a daughter, and then his newly born son died at a very young age, and its seems his death also caused the death of his wife, Elizabeth, who both died on 28th January 1574, and they were buried together at St Martin church. Francis himself died some 23 years later, on 3rd July 1597, and laid to rest in the old churchyard, but sadly, we could not read any name or dates on the old worn out gravestones around the churchyard. It was some 368 years later that Sir Winston Churchill was laid to rest in this pleasant but sad little churchyard. It’s amazing what you find out about your own families history, and how so many coincidences have happened as regards the history of Woodstock. The parish records for Bladon and family history are kept at Budleien library Oxford. OUR REVIEW PHOTOS OF BLADON. (photo 8) the lych gate at St Martin church Bladon, and the church itself (9). The old burial stones were too worn out to be able to read dates or names (10). The inside of this 1804 church is rather small, (11) but a font and candles can be used here (12) And at the back of the church are more gravestones (13), and here lie the main members of the Spencer-Churchill family (14). Our photo shows the modern tomb of Sir Winston Churchill (15). OUR FINAL THOUGHTS Well worth a visit, but parking is impossible. It’s a very well kept and interesting churchyard, but you cannot identify any names or dates.

Transport & Parking

Parking is difficult at Woodstock, but you get the best photos of Blenheim Palace along Park street. Just ask permission at the gate to be allowed to step inside to take a photo. Then drive round to Blenheim Palace main entrance for parking to visit the palace itself. Bladon, and burial place of sir Winston Churchill is a most difficult place to park, just a few spaces on roadside if fortunate. But most visitors to the church are in and out quiet quickly, so you may be ok.

Access

The parking for Blenheim may well mean a long walk, depending on time you arrive, as it gets very busy throughout the whole year. We did not visit the palace itself, to expensive for us, but we did drive around the estate as we journey on to Bladon. The church yard at Bladon was easy enough in the main parts, and you can get into the small church, and the Spencer families gravestones are close enough for you to see.

Toilets

A problem if like us you only needed to drive through to see from a distance, so no public toilets available on this part of our review for Woodstock.

Staff

Those we asked permission of to see various places of interest were very helpful and kind.

Photos