Blenheim Palace Festival

Blenheim Palace is situated on the outskirts of Woodstock, about 10 miles (16 km) north-west of Oxford city centre. It is easily reached by road: from London take the M40 motorway and follow the A34 through Oxford toward Woodstock. From Birmingham and the Midlands, take the M42/M40 south then the A34 into Oxford. The palace grounds offer free parking for visitors, but spaces can fill up quickly on busy summer days, so allow extra travel time. For GPS navigation, use the postcode OX20 1PP (also referenced as OX20 1UL) to find the main entrance.

Public transport is also convenient. Frequent trains run to Oxford (from London Paddington or Birmingham), Oxford Parkway (Chiltern Railways from London Marylebone), and nearby Hanborough station. From Oxford or Parkway, Stagecoach buses S3 and S7 run regularly to Woodstock (about 30–40 minutes), stopping near the town centre and the palace entrance. During summer weekends, look for a shuttle bus from Hanborough that goes straight to Blenheim Palace. Otherwise, taxis and rideshares from any station or from Oxford can take you to Woodstock in about 15–20 minutes.

If you are flying in, the closest airports are London Heathrow (about 70 miles/110 km) and Birmingham (around 75 miles/120 km). From Heathrow you can take a train to London Paddington and then a connecting train to Oxford, or drive west on the M4/M40. Birmingham Airport has trains to Oxford via New Street, or you can drive south on the M42/M40. Other London airports (Gatwick, Stansted or Luton) are farther away. National Express coaches run to Oxford and Oxford Parkway from many UK cities; from there, take a local bus or taxi to reach Woodstock. It is a good idea to book tickets in advance and to check schedules, especially on weekends.

Where to stay: Woodstock offers boutique hotels, B&Bs and historic inns. For example, The Feathers Inn and The Marlborough Arms (a traditional pub) are both within walking distance of the palace. Oxford (20 minutes away) has a wide range of hotels and guesthouses if you prefer a larger town. Quaint options in nearby Cotswold villages (Burford, Witney, etc.) include guesthouses and country inns. Summer weekends fill up quickly, so it is wise to reserve your lodging early. For an outdoor experience, you may also find campsites or glamping sites in the region–check local listings or the festival's travel guides for details.