Blenheim Palace is hosting a series of exciting outdoor events and fun activities this summer. From open air movie nights and knights in shining armour to wilderness camps and flying fairies, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. All set against the stunning backdrop of this magnificent Oxfordshire UNESCO World Heritage Site, which continues to adhere to covid restrictions. Visitors also have the opportunity to convert their day ticket into a free Annual Pass.
SUMMER EVENTS
Jousting Tournament – 29th – 31st May
Colourful banners flying in the wind, the sound of thundering hooves along the ground with the clash of lance upon shield. The Knights of Middle England take you back to the exciting and colourful era of the Middle Ages with their action packed, high octane Jousting and Stunt Show. With over 20 years’ experience in live stunt shows, equestrian displays and activity days The Knights of Middle England are a professional team of stunt riders, performers, actors and combatants who bring the much-fabled sport of jousting full tilt into the 21st century.
Camp Wilderness – 31st May – 27th August
Throughout the summer, Camp Wilderness, offers back-to-basics three and five-day residential camping experiences for children aged 8 – 14 years, in the heart of Blenheim’s ancient woodland. Held in safari-style tented camps, days at camp are spent participating in a host of different activities, from traditional fire-lighting and shelter-building to archery and survival scenarios. Whilst evenings are spent enjoying bush tucker feasts, playing games and roasting marshmallows over the campfire. Plus new for 2021 share the adventure with a Camp Wilderness Family Experience.
Blenheim Palace Flower Show – 25th – 27th June
A riot of colour, fragrance and weird and wonderful plants, the 20,000 square foot Grand Floral Pavilion forms the centrepiece of the Show and features the UK’s finest nurseries and growers giving expert advice and gardening ideas. Visitors can enjoy Garden Talks with experts and enthusiasts, fabulous food and drink as well as more than 300 exhibitors, an outdoor Plant Village and live entertainment. New for 2021 is Floral Street, the perfect place to discover your favourite plants, flowers and an array of gardening goodies.
Paws at the Palace – 3rd – 4th July
The UK’s largest and fastest growing festival devoted to dogs and their owners is bringing its unique brand of family-friendly canine fun and games is coming to Blenheim Palace. Packed with everything dog-related, Paws at the Palace includes arena displays, dog training experts, have-a-go activities, breed clubs and loads of fun competitions. There will also be a huge range of products on offer and dog-brands represented, with around 150 exhibitors selling everything from leads, pet food and treats, diet & health advice, toys, health supplements, coats, grooming products, photography and much more.
Pre’50 American Auto Club Rally of the Giants – 11th July
With well over 400 classic American vehicles attending, including some of the finest examples to be found anywhere in Europe, dating from the early years of 20th century motoring through to the present day, the Rally of the Giants is the must visit event for anyone with an interest and passion for American cars and trucks. Visitors from all over the UK and many parts of continental Europe gather to celebrate in a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere and have a great time.
The Luna Open Air Cinema – 12th – 15th August
Following the fantastically popular 2020 Summer Season, The Luna Open Cinema is back for a sequel. Enjoy an unforgettable big-screen experience set against the stunning backdrop of Blenheim Palace. Throw in great food, a full bar, both with click and collect service, an optional seated upgrade, and of course giant screens with incredible state of the art sound, and it’s the perfect summer’s evening out. The programme of films for 2021 includes the Academy Award winning Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, to the iconic Star Wars: A New Hope. You can take a journey to the golden age of cinema with Marilyn Monroe’s Some Like it Hot or test out your vocal skills at the singalong version of the smash-hit movie musical The Greatest Showman.
Blenheim Palace Food Festival – 20th – 22nd August
This gastronomic festival will showcase the very best of produce from local and national stallholders offering high quality, tempting food choices from indulgent sweet treats to the most delicious organic fruit and veg, glorious bakes to the tastiest street food. The Festival Kitchen and Marquee has a full programme of demonstrations, Q&As, workshops and book signings. Special guests include BBC Masterchef champions Kenny Tutt and Thomas Frake. Great British Bake-Off contestant Karen Wright and Eva Humphries, Wholefood Warrior alongside many other celebrity chefs and food & drink experts.
Family friendly activities and entertainment will be available throughout the weekend plus the stunning parkland is the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic of food and drink from the festival.
- For more information visit blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/ . Please note pre-booking is essential for all activities.
- To view the palace’s covid safety measures, visit www.blenheimpalace.com/visitus/lovely-to-see-you/ .
Issued on behalf of Blenheim Palace. For more information please contact Samantha Vaughan on 07469 129743 or SVaughan@blenheimpalace.com .
About Blenheim Palace
Home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705, the Oxfordshire Estate was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Set in over 2,000 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland and designed by Vanbrugh in the Baroque style, Blenheim Palace is also the birthplace of one of Britain’s most famous leaders, Sir Winston Churchill and it was his father who described the vista, on entering the Estate from the village of Woodstock, as the ‘finest view in England’.