Blenheim Palace in Woodstock is to host some special guests as part of spring celebrations featuring new exhibitions.
To mark the opening of two major exhibitions, visitors will be able to ‘greet’ Winston Churchill as well as meet and, for younger visitors ride, ponies on selected days, until June 6.
The role of Churchill will be played by ‘Winstan’ a lookalike of the ‘Greatest Briton’ who will be relating stories of his life and career, and the ponies will be waiting to welcome visitors in the Palace’s historic stable block.
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Visitors can also explore both the two new exhibitions, which are part of a major £1.9m investment programme at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The first examines the key role Blenheim played in the life of Winston Churchill, who was born at the Palace.
Outdoor dining at Blenheim Palace Picture: Blenheim Palace
As well as being his birthplace, and one of his favourite places to relax, its rich military history provided huge inspiration for Churchill’s own career and it was even where he proposed to his beloved wife Clementine.
A spokesman for the palace said: "With a mix of historic artefacts and new technology, the interactive exhibition follows the ‘greatest Briton’ from his childhood, through his military service, political career and wartime role into his later life."
In addition to the Churchill exhibition, the Palace’s stable yard has been transformed into an immersive experience showcasing the importance of horses at Blenheim down through the centuries.
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Features include a recreation of the tack room, the stable office and an area where live horse displays can take place, as well as the chance for visitors to attempt to ride side-saddle.
The new Churchill exhibition at Blenheim Palace Picture: Blenheim Palace
The display area also highlights the key role the wider estate – including its ancient woodland, royal hunting lodge and ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland – has played in its continued success.
A new art-themed restaurant and café has been built as part of the new attractions, featuring a touchless ordering app and visitors can also enjoy a Churchill-themed Afternoon Tea in the Orangery Restaurant inspired by his long-time cook Georgina Landemare.
The Blenheim Estate celebrated World Bee Day on Thursday with news that two of its natural hives have been occupied by wild bee colonies.
Earlier in the year the Estate’s Rural Team, under the direction of Head Forester Nick Baimbridge, put up a series of bee hives to help protect dwindling colonies of wild bees on the 12,000-acre Oxfordshire estate.
The hives are made with wood from their timber stacks, many with rot or holes in, which mimic the types of sites wild bees would naturally choose to nest.
The new Stables Cafe at Blenheim Palace
“We put the natural hives at key locations across the estate in areas where wild bees have been spotted,” said Mr Baimbridge.
“Although it’s been a cold and damp start to the year we do now have two new colonies in hives up in the High Park ancient woodland.
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“All bees are increasingly under threat; particularly our native species so providing these hives is really important to help support and protect them.”
As a large estate, acres of Blenheim’s woodland and grassland has remained relatively untouched for centuries.
Blenheim's head forester Nick Baimbridge works on a beehive Picture: Richard Cave
Admission to the palace is only via online pre-booking.
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