As we were leaving the Cotswolds this past summer we decided to take a detour and see Blenheim Palace, Winston Churchill’s childhood home and a magnificent estate outside of Oxford.

Home of the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace is the birthplace of Winston Churchill.

He lived here in his youth with his grandmother, and although his cousin inherited the estate, he always said he had fond memories of the palace.

Blenheim Palace was a gift from Queen Anne and a grateful nation to John Churchill following his famous victory at the battle of Blenheim in 1704.

Just 8 miles from Oxford, in the town of Woodstock, Blenheim is magnificent.

We were able to visit (and photograph!) the State Rooms filled with enchanting treasures from the last 300 years.

One of the most amazing pieces of art for me, was the portrait of the family by John Singer Sergeant.  Can you just imagine.

The dining room had magnificent examples trompe l’oeil.

The Long Library was crowned with a huge organ at the end of the room.

And just outside the main building is the chapel.

The parkland design of over 2,000 acres was landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown in the 1760s, and although not one of the most dramatic I have seen in England, it certainly was tranquil.

It switched between the very formal…

and the rustic natural.

We actually could see the first touches of autumn sneaking in to England on this early September morning.

All in all, a very English day.