From 22nd July, walk in the footsteps of movie and television stars and experience the silver-screen at Blenheim Palace.
With two tours per day at 11:00 and 15:00, lasting 45 minutes, you’ll be taken behind the scenes of some of the most famous blockbusters in cinematic history, from the spellbinding Harry Potter to the spytastic James Bond. Learn fun film facts like how Billy Connolly saved a wedding day when filming Gulliver’s Travels in 2010, and feast your eyes on the photos that captured it all. Experience the original filming locations right here at Blenheim Palace.
Most recently, Blenheim Palace was filming location for the hit Netflix series, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. The six-episode series from Netflix and Shondaland is a prequel to the record breaking period drama, focusing on young Queen Charlotte’s rise to prominence and power.
Within the series, many of the lavish scenes you see at Buckingham House (now known as Buckingham Palace) were filmed at Blenheim Palace between the Great Court and Water Terraces. While the Great Court was adorned with royal guards and opulent carriages, the Water Terraces were magically transformed into the enchanting outdoor space where the final ball takes place in the show. The space was filled with incredible dancers and courtiers for the scene, which occurs in episode 6.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site was also the ideal choice to play Buckingham House, due to its real-life connections with Queen Charlotte and King George lll. The duo shared a close friendship with the 4th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, and after their visit to Blenheim, they were so inspired by the Palace that they embarked on renovating Buckingham House.
Along the trail, you can visit:
- The Great Hall (A Little Chaos, Cinderella, Queen Charlotte, Endeavour)
- Great Court (Queen Charlotte, Gulliver’s Travels, James Bond Spectre, Mission:Impossible, Indiana Jones)
- Green Writing Room (Mission:Impossible, Rogue Nation)
- Saloon (The Libertine, A Little Chaos, Queen Charlotte)
- Long Library (Mission: Impossible, Rogue Nation, Cinderella, Queen Charlotte)
- West Colonnades (The Libertine)
- First State Room (A Little Chaos)
- Water Terraces (Queen Charlotte)
- South Lawn (Gulliver’s Travels)
- Grand Bridge (Cinderella)
- Walled Garden (Inspector Morse)
- Italian Garden (BFG)
- Bladon Bridge (Cinderella)
Valid Palace, Park and Gardens tickets are required to do the Lights, Camera, Action! trail. Buy one day, and get 12 months free when you choose to donate your admission ticket cost to Blenheim Palace. As a charity ticket donations are vital for the restoration and conservation, but offers the chance to discover Britain’s Greatest Palace and all it has to offer throughout the year.
What’s more, when you travel to Blenheim Palace via public transport, bicycle or fully electric car, you are eligible for a 30% discount off your Annual Pass or Palace, Park and Gardens day ticket (this discount is not valid for Privilege Pass or Park and Gardens tickets). Use the code GREEN30 for discount during online checkout and show your proof of travel by bus, train or bike on arrival.
