Blenheim Palace has a rich history and is regarded as an integral landmark in England. There are plenty of reasons to visit this stunning setting. This post lists 11 reasons why movie buffs near and far should consider visiting this regularly used filming location. After all, you have likely seen Blenheim Palace in movies and TV shows without even realising it’s Blenheim Palace! Read on to find exact filming locations in the Blenheim Palace estate.

Contents

• The History of Blenheim Palace
• Things To Know
• Accessibility
• 1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
• 2. Bridgerton (2020 – ) and Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023 – )
• 3. Hamlet (1996)
• 4. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
• 5. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)
• 6. Spectre (2015)
• 7. Barry Lyndon (1975)
• 8. Disney’s Cinderella (2015)
• 9. The BFG (2016)
• 10. Napoleon (2023)
• 11. The Young Victoria (2009)
• Blenheim Palace In Movies & TV

The History of Blenheim Palace

For a large majority of my life, I have lived no less than a 40 minute drive from Blenheim Palace. When I was really young, my Nan used to take my older sister and I there regularly and we’d ride our scooters up and down the long path that stretches up to the palace entrance. 

I consider myself considerably lucky to have been so close to such an exquisite place, and to have been able to visit it repeatedly. Especially considering the involvement of Blenheim Palace in movies and TV shows. Blenheim Palace is one of many film locations you can visit in England.

It’s a stunning place that is not to be overlooked when travelling England! 

As mentioned in the introduction, Blenheim Palace has a rich history that echoes through its corridors.

Located in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, the palace sits on an impressive 12,000 acres – give or take. The estate surrounding the palace contains rivers and farm land, as well as ancient woodlands that have been around for more than 900 years. It’s home to a considerable amount of wildlife and is kept that way as part of their sustainability practice.

The palace itself has been standing for over 300 years and took 30 years to be completed, 75 years after construction first began. It has provided a place to stay for residents of all kinds, including royalty and heads of state throughout history.

In 1987, it was given the title of World Heritage Site as a result of its historical significance and value.

Like with many English estates, Blenheim Palace is open to the public for visitation. They hold all kinds of events. From food festivals and seasonal events like the Christmas lights trail to historical exhibitions and film & TV trails.

When I say I’ve been to all four of those examples above, I’m not kidding. Blenheim Palace is a favourite of mine and I’m writing this post because I genuinely love visiting it!

Things To Know

• You need a ticket to enter Blenheim Palace. It is advised to book tickets ahead of time for either standard entry or for specific events on the official Blenheim Palace website. If you are planning on visiting multiple times, you can purchase passes that cover multiple trips for up to 12 months.
• Blenheim Palace offers discounts on entry tickets for NHS workers, Blue Light Card holders and members of the Armed Services.
• You can stay in lodges on the grounds of Blenheim Palace (book ahead through the official website).
• There is plenty of on-site parking space available.
• Blenheim Palace is 20 minutes from Oxford city centre, where all manner of public transport is available to get to both Oxford from another location, as well as from Oxford to Blenheim Palace.
• There are varying opening times for different sections of the estate. For example, the palace is open from 10:30 am to 16:45 pm; the formal gardens are open from 10:00 am to 16:45 pm and the park is open from 9:00 am to 17:00 pm. All opening times are listed on the official website.
• There are two cafes, a pizzeria and a restaurant on the estate. The restaurant offers afternoon tea and more formal dining (book ahead) whilst the cafes are more easy going. You are also welcome to bring your own food as there are outdoor seating areas and the entire park which are ideal for picnics.
• The palace itself isn’t a free-for-all, walk-around-wherever-you-like kind of deal. It’s important to be mindful that there are areas of the palace that are restricted and security is in place as a result. 
• There is a gift shop in the first courtyard after entry.

Accessibility

• Blenheim Palace is largely accessible for wheelchair and scooter users. Scooters and wheelchairs are also available to hire (book ahead). Scooters are not allowed in the palace, but wheelchair transfers are offered.
• On the last Tuesday of every month, tours with British Sign Language interpreters are available. 
• Touch tours for the visually impaired are also available. 
• All dogs are welcome in the park and outdoor grounds. Assistance or support dogs are welcome in all areas.
• Companion tickets for Blue Badge holders are provided for free.
• For those of you wanting to take kids, Blenheim Palace is open to all and there is a dedicated adventure play park for children on the estate. This is open from 10:15 am to 17:15 pm.
• More information on this topic is readily available on the official Blenheim Palace website (linked above).

Now, let’s get onto the movie buff stuff.

These are less reasons and more examples of why fans of film and TV should add Blenheim Palace to their list of places to visit. 

Blenheim Palace has been and continues to be a regularly used filming location, so here is a list of films and TV shows that you see Blenheim Palace feature in on varying levels. I give specific location details so that you know exactly where to find the parts of Blenheim Palace in movies and TV!

1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

Yes, my fellow Potterheads. Blenheim Palace was used as a filming location in a Hazza P film.

Plenty of fans will know about filming locations in Oxford (post on this particular subject to come!), but not quite so many will know that an area of Blenheim Palace was used, too.

Think back to the scene in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, where Harry accesses Snape’s memories during their one-to-one lesson. One memory in particular that reveals Snape being taunted by James Potter and co. which features Snape being levitated in front of the tree he was sitting by.

That tree is in the grounds of Blenheim Palace. It’s situated on the bank of the Great Lake, across the Grand Bridge pictured above. The tree itself is only a few minutes walk from the palace courtyard and has a dedicated information board near it explaining its involvement in the fifth film instalment of Hazza P. 

To protect the tree, there is fencing around it to keep visitors from climbing it. If you know anything of what happened to the tree used as the Whomping Willow, you’ll know why such measures have been taken. Please respect the tree!

2. Bridgerton (2020 – ) and Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023 – )

Regulars here will know that I rather like Bridgerton, as demonstrated by my Bridgerton inspired celebration cake and my Bridgerton themed menu. To know that I am a stone’s throw away from an integral filming location of both shows is pretty cool.

Both Netflix shows feature Blenheim Palace. The palace itself is the main setting for Queen Charlotte in particular, both inside and outside. 

In both time settings, the palace and surrounding grounds are heavily featured. Particularly the exterior of the palace known as the Great Courtyard.

The Long Library in the palace and the formal gardens also feature repeatedly. Plus, The Water Terraces. You can move through all of these spaces in some way or another, so be sure to visit them!

At the time of publishing this post, Blenheim Palace is holding a Bridgerton Trail. Running until 30th September 2024, this trail takes you around the specific filming locations that are used in both shows. Here is the trail map:

3. Hamlet (1996)

Kenneth Branagh’s four hour adaptation of the Shakespeare classic was brought to life with the help of Blenheim Palace’s stunning setting.

It can be seen through its gates in close up shots and the Grand Courtyard is the setting for both the funeral and as war is about to erupt. 

In fact, the Grand Courtyard is featured so much that there are multiple camera angles showing off the magnificent area, including the lake.

If you’re a fan of this cinematic epic version of Shakespeare’s tale, visit the Grand Courtyard area and see its beauty for yourself.

4. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

This isn’t Steven Spielberg’s only visit to Blenheim Palace when on the job, but it’s (most likely) his earliest.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was filmed in over 30 locations. That’s kind of nuts when you consider how many countries that list includes. Stowe School, England was also used for filming. More on this in another post!

Blenheim Palace was used as the location for a scene that still hurts my heart: the book burning scene. If you are aware of the history of the time that this film is set, you may be aware of the atrocities that took place.

Including the destruction of artwork and historical artefacts. The book burning scene was a recreation of this kind of devastation. It was also filmed in the Grand Courtyard, just so you know.

5. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)

It’s a pretty rare thing for a film’s sequel to be as good as the first and an even rarer thing for it to be better. Yet, the Mission Impossible series seems to get better with every movie, or is that just my opinion?!

Rogue Nation is the fifth instalment of the series. London plays a pretty big part in this film, but Blenheim is in there, too.

Those of you who are familiar with the charity ball scene will also be familiar with the visuals of Blenheim Palace as that’s exactly where it was filmed. The Grand Courtyard features in particular, as well as elements of the palace interior that are open to the public during exhibitions.

Pretty epic, if you ask me.

6. Spectre (2015)

After all this time, Blenheim Palace finally featured in a Bond film. I’m still a little shocked it wasn’t used as a filming location in any earlier Bond films, but there we are.

It’s another movie in this list that was filmed in a lot of locations. By “a lot”, I’m talking over 50. N u t s.

Now, filming locations are often used to represent real locations. This is due to many reasons, whether that be restricted access to the real location, safety issues or filming permission issues.

Blenheim Palace is often used to represent other locations. In Spectre’s case, the exterior of the palace was used to film the beginning of a car chase set in Rome. 

Peculiar angles and specific lighting were used to disguise Blenheim’s recognisability as this scene was originally meant to be filmed near Naples.

7. Barry Lyndon (1975)

Martin Scorsese reportedly said that this film was Stanley Kubrick’s best work. If you’ve seen it, you’ll likely know why. 

Stunning visuals are often achieved using stunning settings and Blenheim Palace was one such setting.

The water gardens featured in Barry Lyndon where Barry and the Countess walk and later where a garden party is held are in fact the formal water gardens on the Blenheim Palace estate.

These particular gardens are situated on the far side of the palace and are often part of the Christmas lights trail that the team at Blenheim Palace design!

8. Disney’s Cinderella (2015)

Kenneth Branagh also seems to be a fan when it comes to using Blenheim Palace as a filming location in his movies. Not only was he there directing Hamlet, he returned for Disney’s live action adaptation of Charles Perrault’s literary classic: Cinderella.

The vast grounds and gardens of Blenheim Palace provided what we see as the palace grounds in the movie. The exterior of Blenheim Palace was reportedly a source of inspiration when it came to the design of the palace in the movie.

The Grand Bridge and Bladon Bridge both make an appearance during the carriage ride to the ball.

9. The BFG (2016)

I mentioned earlier how Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade wasn’t Steven Spielberg’s only visit to Blenheim Palace in a professional capacity. Here’s another one for you.

Spielberg’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s lovely tale was partly filmed in Blenheim Palace. It was used specifically to represent Buckingham Palace when the BFG met Queen Elizabeth II. Most notably the Italian Gardens at Blenheim Palace.

A palace as a palace. Makes sense.

10. Napoleon (2023)

Ridley Scott’s action epic centred on the iconic French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, focusing especially on the rise and fall of this famous historical figure, is the latest (at the time of this post) film to have featured Blenheim Palace as a filming location.

Many key scenes were filmed both inside and across the wider estate. 

The more intimate scenes were filmed inside the palace itself, including in the Great Hall, Long Library, state rooms and the Main Saloon. 

A number of battle sequences were filmed in the external grounds, too.

11. The Young Victoria (2009)

As you may well know, Blenheim Palace is often used as a filming location for films set in periods of the past.

The Young Victoria is a great example of that. Set in the rocky initial years of Queen Victoria’s reign, this movie features Blenheim Palace yet again as a representation of Buckingham Palace.

Both the interior and exterior of Blenheim Palace, as well as its courtyards and gardens are used as corresponding areas of the English monarch’s main London residence.

Again, it makes sense when you know that filming in Buckingham Palace itself isn’t possible.

Blenheim Palace In Movies & TV

There you have it, friends. A list of productions that have used Blenheim Palace as a film location. It’s a stunning place to visit no matter what your interests are, but the fact that we regularly see Blenheim Palace in movies and TV shows adds an extra layer of fun.

I highly recommend paying a visit, whether you’re more local or you are making a longer trip to England. Especially if you’re a movie and TV lover, or have a loved one who is!

Let me know in the comments if you’ve been to Blenheim Palace or are adding it to your list.

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