Our first UNESCO site visit since commencing our www.twobaconsandaboston.com journey.  I was not going to do a review until I noticed that the last review was 2 years ago.  Prices have also increased from this time with an entry fee now of 41 pounds.  Whilst expensive, it also provides you 12 months of unlimited attendance, so we will come back for some return visits. Hopefully with some better weather for nature walks.

Renovations work as commenced on the exterior of the main building in January 2025 and this is expected to go for at least 2 years.  It is good to see an investment in the maintenance and restoration of this UNESCO site.

We were staying in Banbury with friends, so this was a short 30-minute drive with free parking provided a short distance from the Palace.  There is also a small courtesy bus for people if they have mobility issues, however the walk is only 5 minutes.  A small train provides access from the Palace station located in the front of the Palace entrance of the Great Court and takes you to the Walled Gardens.  We did not visit this area on this occasion and only stayed in the immediate Palace and Garden area.

The day of our visit was overcast with slight drizzle, so we did not avail ourselves of the garden or lake walks, which are extensive throughout this UNESCO site, although we did wander down to the Boatshed and Vanbrugh Grand Bridge.  Its justification for UNESCO status in 1987 was on the basis of its Palace and Park illustrating the beginnings of the English Romantic Movement and its influence of architecture in the 18th and 19th centuries.  It was also built by the nation to honour one of its national hero's, the 1st duke of Marlborough, although the visitation today a lot of the exhibits are focussed on another famous resident in that of Sir Winston Churchill.

The exhibitions were informative and the palace and gardens beautiful to explore.  There were a number of staff / volunteers that were very engaging and willing to share their knowledge and information during your visit.  Inside the Palace each room provided a different feel and the artifacts within a story within themselves.  We spent about 3 hours exploring the main palace and immediate gardens, however if you wished to explore the whole estate including the Lake Walk and the Walled Gardens, I think you need to allow another 3 hours.