After a short 8-mile bus ride out of Oxford into the nearby countryside, we had a gorgeous day exploring Blenheim Palace. School had just let out the day before, and it was the first official day of the British summer holidays, so it was mobbed!
Still the residence of the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, Blenheim was designed by Vanbrugh (whom you might remember from a previous post also designed Castle Howard) and remodeled by Capability Brown. It is most famously known as the accidental birthplace of Winston Churchill in 1874, while his parents were visiting his grandfather, the 7th Duke. Blenheim was given as a gift from Queen Anne to the 1st Duke, John Churchill, in thanks for his victory over the French at The Battle of Blindheim (Blenheim) in 1704. In turn, he made sure it honored her, as well.
The 9th Duke, a very close friend of Churchill's, is responsible for the stunning grounds and gardens established in the 1920s. He had over half a million trees planted!
It is here, in the water terraces, that Winston proposed to his beloved Clementine.
The Rose Garden
The view to the Main Lake from within the Rose Garden.
The private Italian Garden
Vanbrugh's Grand Bridge across the lake.
A visit to Blenheim isn't complete without a stroll through the Woodstock Gate, and...
...into the village of Woodstock itself.
Referred to in the Domesday Book, Woodstock is one of the most picturesque villages I've seen thus far.
The Bear Hotel dates to the 13th century.
Behave, while in the village, or you'll end up in the stocks!
After a long day of walking, our tired feet clambered onto the bus back to Oxford. We hopped off and dashed back to our hotel to prepare for an exciting event that evening. My husband had surprised us by booking tickets to a performance of Bach's glorious
Magnificat sung by the choir and choiristers of New College at the Sheldonian Theatre.
Before the concert, we decided to do one last bit of college peeping in the Sheldonian's neighborhood. The Porter at Wadham College saw us peering in through the gate and invited us in to take a quick picture. We've stayed out of trouble on the trip until this point, but...
...two very "jolly" men (they'd been at a wedding reception, so need I say more!) out of nowhere ran in, grabbed Jennie, and hoisted her up while standing on the grass (a very big no no in Oxford college courtyards!) and we were promptly asked to leave.
After laughing hysterically around the corner, we regained our composure and moved on to the Sheldonian.
Designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1664, the Sheldonian serves as the main assembly room of the University.
The ceiling fresco is made up of 32 oil on canvas panels, depicting Truth descending on the Arts and Sciences.
When we first saw the choiristers, they were goofing around with one another, making silly faces, and waving to their families.
Then, after robing and being joined by their university-aged colleagues, they miraculously turned into the angelic choir of New College, Oxford.
The choir was accompanied by the Oxford Philomusica.
And then, with it barely dark at 10:00pm, we wandered back to our hotel and our very long day came to a triumphant end.
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