A LEGENDARY 19th century tightrope walk over the lake at Blenheim Palace has been recreated for the first time in more than 130 years.

In 1886, renowned tightrope artist Carlos Trower amazed onlookers as he undertook a gravity-defying crossing of the Oxfordshire lake on a single wire.

He had escaped from slavery in the United States at the age of 11 before travelling to Britain where he joined a circus and established himself as a world-class performer – often walking blindfold and in shackles across the high wire.

His daredevil crossing over the Queen Pool of The Lake was successfully reenacted this weekend by ropewalker Christopher Bullzini, more than 130 years after the feat first became history.

As Mr Bullzini made the attempt to cross the 320-metre stretch, one of the longest undertaken in the UK, Carlos Trower’s fascinating life story was narrated to visitors.

Speaking ahead of the effort Mr Bullzini said: “Carlos was a truly exceptional person and the prospect of, almost literally, being able to walk in his footsteps more than a century later is quite amazing.

“Our aim is to make our crossing as authentic as possible and to celebrate Carlos’ amazing achievements.

“Even today it will be a real challenge and I hope I can live up to his reputation.”

As well as the daring tightrope acts, visitors were also entertained by music from the Bletchingdon and Oxfordshire Cherwell brass bands, Victorian strong man acrobats, jugglers, stilt walkers, a penny farthing rider and a selection of Victorian fairgrounds rides.

The high-wire displays took place at midday and 3pm over the weekend, with the crossing lasting about 30 minutes.

The lake was created between 1768 and 1771 by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown who famously landscaped the palace grounds.

A £5m project is being planned to restore it as its condition has declined over the past decade. It is classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.