Seeing the Christmas lights at Blenheim Palace
What does Christmas mean to me? Well, I quite like the traditional stuff: turkey, presents and family (not necessarily in that order). I’ve discovered that I also like this new phenomenon of Christmas light displays. Kew Gardens does it (you need to book early) and so do countless stately homes around the country, including Blenheim Palace near Oxford.
So, what is a Christmas light show? Well, at Blenheim Palace it includes an hour and a half of wandering amid stunning light displays, much of which is set to music. Our kids enjoyed traditional fairground rides and, to my delight, there was good quality, affordable food and drink to warm us before and after exploring the glowing grounds of Blenheim Palace.
We visited Blenheim with our two children (aged 6 and 3) and some friends of ours and we all agreed it was a great evening. Actually, that’s a slight exaggeration, the kids found the walk in sub zero temperatures to be a bit long and cold but they were pretty impressed by the lights.
The highlight for me was the trees, which glowed all manner of colours, simple but effective.
I also loved the little boats floating in the lake, impressive stuff.
The kids enjoyed a walkway of suspended bulbs, like a glowing curtain. This feature was towards the end of the light display, a useful highlight to distract the children from their frozen toes.
Father Christmas and one of his helpers also made an unexpected appearance at Blenheim Palace. I hope they’re both paid well, that must be a very chilly job.
So, if you’re in the area, there’s still time to visit the Christmas Lights at Blenheim Palace (on until New Year’s Day). Otherwise, if you’re reading this in 2018, there’s always next Christmas.
Tickets cost £16.50 for adults, £10.50 for children and under 5s are free.
I’d recommend paying for on-site parking at £10 as it would be very chilly waiting for the park and ride at the end of your evening.
Have you seen the Christmas lights at Blenheim Palace? Let me know in the comments below.
We have been to Blenheim Palace a few times but never during Christmas time. It looks so beautiful. I especially love those floating boats and the walkway of suspended bulbs.
I was really surprised by how lovely it all was!
Oh love this! I’ve wanted to visit Blenheim Palace for a while now, and adding Christmas lights makes it all the more appealing! Thanks for linking up with #TheWeeklyPostcard! Happy New Year!
You must visit next time you’re here!
Oh, did you manage to visit the Christmas event at Kew? I wanted to, but it’s completely sold out now! 🙁 Did manage to catch the Christmas lights at Dunham Massey in Manchester though (which I also blogged about last week!) – looks very similar to the Blenheim Palace event, except that ours had no Santa Claus. Can see why it’s such a crowd favourite! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I’ve not managed to get to Kew yet either, I’m never been organised enough to buy tickets in time!
Looks lovely. I still haven’t made it to Blenheim Palace, so I want to see the palace and the lights. Maybe next year! Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard
Definitely go! It was such fun despite the cold!
Christmas is full of traditions which may differ quite a bit from country to country, but the display of lights seems to be common to all of them. I love seeing the Christmas lights too and they are the one thing that always put me in the holiday spirit. I can see the light display at Blenheim Palace was quite spectacular. I’d love to spend the entire month of December visiting Europe sometime. Thank you for sharing this beautiful post on #TheWeeklyPostcard. Wish you an amazing New Year.
I bet exploring Europe in wintertime would be lovely, would be hard to know where to start though. You’d better start your research now!
We love the lighted floats! That’s beautiful. The Gaylord resorts in the U.S. all have huge atriums that are decked out for the holidays. The fantastic part of that is that it’s indoors. We need to put a post together highlighting the decorations and activities. Very fun. Don’t know that we’ll ever get the chance to travel much during the holidays, but we’d love to see this! Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Yes, you should put a post together of festive highlights in the States, that would be really interesting.
I love Christmas Lights just so fun and magical. I especially like your ones of the colourful trees.
Yes, it’s amazing how effective the lights can be. Does Australia go in for stuff like this?
Oh dear – the noses of Father Christmas and his helper look rather red! The trees are beautiful, though.
Felt really sorry for them, not sure they were really necessary!
I loved #origamiboats! #winternights #lightart #lightinstallation #AetherHemera #outdoorart #artwork #artexhibition #origami #paperboats #flotilla #artinstallation
The suspended bulbs are just glorious, aren’t they? I love getting all wrapped up in December and walking around Christmas displays. We alway go to the ones in the grounds of Hever Castle in Kent and it’s just a magical experience. Both my boys are keen to visit Blenheim though and this one looks fantastic. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
I’ll have to see if anywhere near us does it. They seem to be springing up all over the place!
It looks so beautiful,I have been to Blenheim Palace but never been during Christmas. The photographs are so beautiful. I would visit the palace during Christmas. #farawayfiles
Looks very magical! I love Christmas light shows, but not sure anyone does it better than you all! I’m very excited for the holidays, best time of year. You certainly got me in the spirit! Thanks for linking up with #farawayfiles
It definitely helps having kids around to encourage the festive spirit!
How stunning. This had been on my to-do list for some time, which I would pair up with one of their afternoon teas. Thanks for linking up with #CULTUREDKIDS
Afternoon tea sounds like a good idea!
This looks so pretty. Am a huge fan of these Christmas light installations. #culturedkids
Light displays are so magical during the Christmas season. Seeing all the lights are one of my favorite activities this time of year. #CulturedKids
Ooh, did not know Blenheim did a Christmas light show. I love the origami boats and the light curtain, plus a hot roll and mulled wine would go down a treat! #CulturedKids
The mulled wine was essential!
I love Light Trails, a fantastic addition to the Christmas traditions! Thank you for linking up to #CulturedKids
Yes, of all new the commercialism of recent years, this is one of the more tolerable ones!
I live in south Oxfordshire so am always put off by the thought of a rush hour drive up the A34 to Blenheim. Hence I’ve never been to the lights – they look fab though! #culturedkids
Less on the roads between Xmas and new year!
This looks sooo pretty! I haven’t been to Bleinheim yet, this makes me want to visit in the winter! 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in with #CulturedKids
Oh love this! I’ve neve been to Blenheim Palace, and with those Christmas lights it sounds a magical place to go in this festive season! #culturedkids
I’ve just remembered how freezing it was last Christmas. I bet it’s a lot warmer this year!
It looks really beautiful.
#culturedkids