Blenheim Palace is located in Woodstock, Oxfordshire in England.
Blenheim Palace was built between 1705 and 1724 and is the only non-royal, non-episcopal country house in England to hold the title of Palace.
Originally the palace was built as a gift to Duke John Churchill from Queen Anne for defeating the French during the Wars of the Spanish Succession. John’s wife, Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough did not want such a grand residence, instead Sarah wanted a smaller and more comfortable country house.
Sarah had many arguments with the architect until eventually he resigned, fed up of Sarah’s Complaints. This led to Sarah falling out of Queen Annes Favour. After this the Marlboroughs left the area for a short while.
In 1712 the construction of the palace came to a halt as the royal funding for the construction of the palace dwindled away. Eventually the Duke himself paid for the completion of the building.
Blenheim Palace is famously known as the birth place of Winston Chruchill.
After the construction of the palace was complete it remained in the Churchill family for the next 300 years during which some modifications were made to the gardens, park and interior of the building.
Towards the end of the 19th century the Churchill’s were starting to suffer financially until one member married a rich American which saved them from ruin.
In 1554 Elizabeth 1st was imprisoned on the site of Blenheim Palace by her sister Queen Mary until 1555.
To this day the palace remains the home of the 11th Duke of Marlborough .
The palace is open to the public and the site contains attractions including a maze, a butterfly house, adventure playground, mini-train, gift shops, fishing spots and a staged area where concerts and festivals are held.
Reported Paranormal Activity
A Roundhead Soldier is said to have appeared to eyewitnesses huddled round a grate near to the fireplace.
The ghost of Dean Jones who was the first Dukes former chaplain was said to haunt the room which was named after him, However, when Winston Churchill was born in this room the hauntings were said to have ceased completely.
