‘WOLD FAVOURITES

Blenheim Palace

Queen Anne was a generous sort. To celebrate the military achievements of John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough, who led the British army to victory over the French in the Battle of Blenheim on 13 August 1704, she went all out. Not only did she grant Churchill a considerable amount of land near Woodstock, Oxfordshire, but she also dedicated around £240,000 of funds to the building of a country home for him and his family.

Of course, the 1st Duke is no longer the most famous Churchill to be associated with Britain’s only non-royal, non-episcopal palace. Our wartime Prime Minister Sir Winston was born at Blenheim in 1874, grew up here and eventually proposed.