Introduction from the 11th Duke of Marlborough

My wife and I are delighted that you have joined us at Blenheim Palace and we look forward to introducing you to the beauty and magnificence of our historic home set within its inspirational surroundings.

The Palace and its Formal Gardens and Park were created a World Heritage Site in 1987 and a great deal of restoration and conservation work has been undertaken in recent years despite the fact that we do not currently receive any external funding support. Most recently we have completed work to repair and strengthen the Blenheim Dam and the adjoining cascade, both created by ‘Capability’ Brown in the 1760s, and this area is now fully open for you to enjoy during 2010.

Your visit makes an important contribution to the ongoing restoration and conservation programmes which are necessary to ensure the Palace and its magnificent Gardens and Park are preserved for future generations.

We are very proud to be a member of the Treasure Houses of England group - a collection of the finest heritage properties in the Country. We hope that your visit to Blenheim Palace will inspire you to visit these other houses and you will find details of the Treasure Houses group on the Treasure Houses website.

Please enjoy your visit and if you have any questions then any of our staff will be very happy to assist you in any matter.

Thank you for joining us today, thank you for your continued support and we hope that you enjoy your visit.