Tucked away in the small hamlet of Woodstock, Oxfordshire (less than an hour from Oxford), you’ll find a castle-turned-palace called Blenheim.
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Even if you haven’t heard the name before, you’d likely recognize the grounds. Blenheim Palace is renowned for its famous Baroque architecture and expansive grounds, which span over 2,000 acres. The palace has appeared in projects like Harry Potter, James Bond, and Bridgerton. It’s also the birthplace and home of Winston Churchill, and is filled with exhibitions honoring the late general.
Whether you like history, film, or even nature (the grounds are home to Europe’s oldest oak trees), Blenheim Palace should be high on your Oxford bucket list.
That being said, it’s a little further off the beaten path in nearby Oxford. Here’s what you need to know about how to visit Blenheim Palace.
How to visit Blenheim Palace from London: the basics
The easiest way to reach Blenheim Palace is to stay in the town of Woodstock or in Oxford. Oxford is accessible via London’s Paddington Station via the Great Western Railway (GWR), which offers multiple ticket tiers. If you’re staying in the small town of Woodstock, you’ll need to grab a taxi from the Oxford station.
Why pick Woodstock over Oxford? You can walk to the grounds of Blenheim Palace (there are multiple entrances) while enjoying the historic market town. If you’re staying in Oxford, you can book a short ride that takes you to Blenheim Palace’s main entrance.
You won’t need more than a day to explore Blenheim, unless you want to dig into the grounds and palace with both guided tours and self-guided tours. If you really want to explore the grounds and those old oak trees, give yourself two days to take things on at your own pace. You can enter the park and gardens for free via a gate at Combe Lodge. (Palace access isn’t included.)
I recommend staying in Woodstock so that you can walk to Blenheim Palace. The village is scenic, once serving as a market town. It’s right on the border of the Cotswolds and features the same lovely stone architecture. (Many also consider Woodstock part of the Cotswolds—I’m sure locals have some opinions there!) You can book a hotel in Woodstock for a night or two based on your Blenheim Palace plans.
Where to stay when you visit Blenheim Palace
I had the chance to stay at The Feathers Hotel, a boutique four-star stay that’s close to Blenheim Palace’s Woodstock Gate. (When you enter via the Woodstock Gate, you’ll have expansive palace and garden views.)
I can’t recommend the hotel enough. It’s located inside a sanatorium that dates back to the 1600s. It’s full of rich character and, despite its highly upscale and comfortable setup, isn’t exorbitantly priced or stuffy.
There are only 21 rooms, giving you a highly bespoke experience. I recommend calling to book Room #1, which is pictured above. It was droolworthy and cozy, offering a separate space for a grand, modern tub—and you’ll need a soak after exploring Blenheim all day.
There are two other reasons I think The Feathers is worth your attention.
First, The Nest restaurant is headed by a talented chef, Luke Rawicki, who specializes in classic fare and daring new dishes. You can take part in their Four Hands dinner series, which is set to take place at the end of every month and will feature a second chef. For a second year in a row, The Nest has earned a Michelin Key.
Second, The Feathers also has programs for Christmas and New Year’s that you’ll remember for years thanks to the picturesque setting and top-notch hospitality. The parties will be lively but austere. Think: Tasteful DJ sets set amid crackling fires in a centuries-old stone building.
The best time to visit is during January and February, when the holiday rush has died down. However, as of October 16, 2026, the Feathers’ Christmas Party hasn’t been booked up—you still have time for a charmed, Hallmark-caliber holiday.
If The Feathers is booked up (there are only 23 rooms and five suites, after all), you can find other historic hotels around Woodstock, including Duke of Marlborough Hotel, The Crown, and Marlborough Arms. But I insist, The Feathers is worth a small splurge.
Blenheim Palace tours & when to visit
If you’ve read my tour recommendations before, you know that I always tilt toward professional guided tours when there’s history involved. Blenheim Palace has a complex history that stretches back to the 1600s—you’ll want a qualified guide with an academic background at your service if you really want to dig into things.
That being said, you have more than a few options when it comes to booking Blenheim Palace tours. You can book directly with the palace staff, choose from a range of tours on platforms like Viator or Evan Evans, or book tickets yourself (the tiers are very straightforward).
I recommend leaving some time to explore the gardens, along with the gift shop. If you’re on the hunt for a classic high tea experience, you can also book a table at the on-site The Orangery. The restaurant offers seasonal events and specials, perfect for a holiday visit.