Located in Oxfordshire, England, Blenheim Palace was built between 1705 and 1722 as a reward from Queen Anne to John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough, for his victory at the Battle of Blenheim. It is also the only building in the UK that is called a "palace" but does not belong to the royal family — the Duke’s descendants still live in the back gardens to this day.
The first thing you see is the magnificent iron gate, adorned with the glittering Churchill family crest.
Stepping into Blenheim Palace gives you a somewhat mixed feeling — though the exterior looks elegant and simple, the interior is in opulent European Baroque style. It turns out that the original designer of Blenheim Palace, Sir John Vanbrugh, had planned to design it in the English Baroque style, which is why the interior is full of ornate carvings and decorations. But halfway through construction, the Duchess and Queen Anne had a falling out. After the Queen withdrew funding, a new designer with a more elegant approach was brought in.
Personally, my favorite spot is the library hall, and at the end of the corridor is an impressive pipe organ. Books paired with a pipe organ — the vibe is simply unmatched.
The Churchill family mausoleum chapel is essentially the family tomb. But this chapel also has a glorious history — it is where the greatest British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, was born and where he proposed to his wife. Winston Churchill led Britain to unite with the United States and other nations to defeat Germany in World War II during his tenure. He was also awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953 and ranked first in the BBC’s 2002 poll of “The 100 Greatest Britons”!
Winston Churchill once said that Blenheim Palace was his favorite place, although as merely a relative of the descendants of the 1st Duke of Marlborough, he never lived here. Instead, his parents attended a ball here and he was born during their visit, then spent part of his childhood here.
The elegant exterior... it’s said that when Blenheim Palace was being built, more emphasis was placed on how it looked from a distance. I’d love to view it from afar if given the chance. There happened to be a concert event that evening, and the rows of blue chairs were a bit of a mood killer... but you have to admit, whoever thought of holding a concert in a UNESCO World Heritage Site has quite the creative mind.
Just over half an hour away from Blenheim Palace is the classic old English region, The Cotswolds, which is roughly the size of Tokyo.
No need to check maps or ask for directions, because everyone who arrives will inevitably be drawn in by the quaint facades of the buildings.
CotswoldsBuilt in the 18th and 19th centuries, the honey-coloredbrick walls are made of Cotswold stone, giving off a light and elegant feel — I really love it (heart eyes). Did you know? These stones are rich in fossils, especially sea urchin fossils.
In the Middle Ages, the Cotswolds were famous for producing high-quality wool, which is why the name "Cotswold" roughly means “sheep on the hill.”
The leisurely atmosphere found all over London’s suburbs attracts many retired Londoners to settle down here.
The town of Bourton-on-the-Water featured in the itinerary is often called the "Venice of England." Of course, the name is just for show, much like every year’s Miss Hong Kong lookalike contest. I personally think this town is not a copy of anywhere — it has its own unique charm.
Both Blenheim Palace and The Cotswolds are outside of central London, and the most convenient way to get there from London involves taking a train and then a bus, with infrequent schedules, making local tours an ideal option.
The tour bus will circle around London to pick up group members from their hotels and take them to the coach terminal at Victoria, where they’ll then board another bus heading to the destination — very convenient.
Lunch comes with a hearty bento box.
Although this is a sponsored article, I still have to give an honest review. Joining a tour group saves you time transferring between transport and provides guides who explain the background of the sights along the way. Of course, if you prefer to go native — enjoying a two-hour afternoon tea in a luxurious palace or savoring a traditional English breakfast in a quaint town — then a tour group definitely can’t fulfill those desires... but traveling independently makes it hard to cover both sights in one day, which is definitely one of the big advantages of a local tour.
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