Birmingham’s Christmas market may be ICONIC, but let’s not pretend it’s got anything on Blenheim Palace’s. A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Winston Churchill, the Grade I-listed palace is best known for its starring role in Bridgerton, but truly comes alive at Christmas.
Located in the Great Court of the 300-year-old country house, Blenheim Palace’s magical Christmas market will host a village of 60 wooden chalets selling handcrafted gifts and seasonal refreshments. But that’s not all you’ll find, as it boasts ice skating, an illuminated trail, and an observation wheel.
Just a 90-minute drive from Birmingham, Christmas at Blenheim Palace takes place from Friday, November 13 to Sunday, January 3. The Christmas market itself is free to visit—attracting around 350,000 people last year, at times 10,000 a day at weekends—but you will need a ticket to experience the whole of Blenheim Palace.
Cinderella in the Palace
Blenheim Palace may feel like a fairy tale, but at Christmas, it is. Step inside for a themed ‘Cinderella’ adventure, where each room tells a different chapter of the much-loved family favourite. In the Great Hall, a towering Christmas tree welcomes you on a journey of a magical slipper, Prince Charming, and the pumpkin carriage!
Afterwards, the must-see illuminated trail awaits, which The Telegraph has called one of the best light trails in the country. Boasting more than a million lights, this enchanting trail winds through beautiful gardens and grounds, past glistening treetops and shimmering waterfalls. You will also get to meet Father Christmas!
Tickets for the Illuminated Trail and ‘Cinderella in the Palace’ start from £67 for an adult and £44 for a child. Add in ice skating, fairground rides, car parking, mulled wine and shopping at the market, and Blenheim Palace isn’t a cheap trip, but it’s undeniably one of the most magical experiences in the UK this Christmas.
To learn more information about Christmas at Blenheim Palace, head here.
