Martin-James's Pictures of Blenheim Palace

Dawn view of the Grand Bridge across the Queen Pool

The Grand Bridge's North-eastern side is in shadow for much of the day; I took this photo at around 06:00 BST on June 19th 2007 when the newly risen Sun's rays just struck the bridge before the shadows began to encroach.

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Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace North Facade at evening

The north face of the Palace seen at the very end of the day on June 20th as the Sun's light was beginning to lose its strength. This is the view from the site of the former Woodstock Manor, demolished when the Palace was built, which is where the future Queen Elizabeth was confined during the reign of Queen Mary.

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Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Lake King Pool

One of the quietest corners of the Park and a particular favourite area of mine! This is an arm of the lake that extends up a dry valley. It's particularly rich in bird life, and is a favourite area for fishermen.

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Blenheim Palace, Lakes And Reservoirs, Woodstock

Blenheim Grand bridge and Lake - Watery Dawn

Dawn disn't last long, and the Sun was soon obscured by clouds, as they rolled across the Sun this reflection was created in the lake.

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Blenheim Palace, Lakes And Reservoirs, Liquid Silver

Blenheim Grand Bridge - watery dawn

Midsummer 2007 was not the best of weather, and dawn, in particular, was often very short lived. Here the early Sun is in course of being obscured by cloud, however I liked the effect of it on the lake.

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Blenheim Palace, Lakes And Reservoirs

Grand Bridge, Blenheim, from 'Fair Rosamund's Well'

Vanbrugh designed this bridge as an integral part of the Palace, however it was the cause of much argument between Vanbrugh and Sarah, the first Duchess of Marlborough. Vanbrugh intended something grander still, and also wanted rooms in the Bridge. Sarah thought it was unjustified extravagance (a relative term to be sure at Blenheim!), and stopped work before it was completed. The original plans survive, and I would say that Sarah was right. The bridge didn't really have anything to cross until 50 years after it was built when the landscape gardener 'Capability Brown' flooded the area to make the lake, thus giving us essentially the Blenheim we know today.

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Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Rainbow

Another view of the rainbow at Blenheim in the evening, framed by two of the park trees.

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Blenheim Palace, Weather

Blenheim Palace, lake, bridge, and island, dawn, midsummer

I managed to catch this shot in a very short lived dawn, the sun had just lit up the Palace and Bridge, the photo shows the scale of the Eastern (Queen) pool of the lake.

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Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace North Facade from the site of Woodstock Manor (Midsummer 2007)

Blenheim is undeniably impressive, but the architect Vanbrugh elected to orientate it to the Northwest, which means that it's not until late in the day that the main facade is well lit! I took this photo from the site of Woodstock Manor (where the future Queen Elizabeth was held during the reign of Queen Mary). Sadly the Manor was demolished when the Palace was built.

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Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire

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Blenheim Palace grounds view across the 'Queen Pool' towards Woodstock from the Column

I had a really magical light one evening, this is the view towards the town of Woodstock from the column.

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Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace Grounds lake and rainbow (evening)

Although there was fantastic evening light there was rain falling to the South, forming this long lived rainbow.

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Blenheim Palace, Weather

Blenheim Palace from the column of victory, late evening, midsummer

There is a column of victory in the grounds to commemorate John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough. This is the Palace seen from the column. In the late evening light the Palace looks especially impressive with the warm colour given to the stones by the setting sun.

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Blenheim Palace, Stately Homes and Country Houses, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, The Cotswolds, England 2012 Olympics

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Blenheim Grand Bridge from the West across the 'King Pool'

This gives an idea of the awe inspiring effect of the grounds. The bridge is here seen very suddenly as one climbs a small hill around a headland, and it's a real coup when the lake and bridge appear before you. Even today, 230 years after the grounds were created, visitors still gasp when they see the Bridge for the first time.

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Blenheim Palace, Woodstock

A picture of Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace Park, Woodstock, Oxfordshire. This is the Grand Bridge. I took this photo late in the afternoon and the light was specially brilliant.

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Blenheim Palace

A picture of Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace Park, Woodstock, Oxfordshire. Blenheim has two lakes, this is the smaller (but still pleasing!) Bridge over the lower lake.

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Blenheim Palace

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A picture of Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire. An old boat winch (probably from the 19th century) used when boating was offered on the lake; I liked the effect of the late light on the winch and the 'Queens Island' behind it.

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Blenheim Palace

A picture of Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire. Sunset over the Queen Pool and John Vanbrugh's Grand Bridge in the Park.

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Blenheim Palace

A picture of Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire. John Vanbrugh's Grand Bridge seen from the King Pool (the Westernmost of the two pools that comprise the main lake at Blenheim).

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Blenheim Palace, Buildings and Structures

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire. John Vanbrugh's Grand Bridge.

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Blenheim Palace

A picture of Blenheim Palace

November 5th 2006 saw a sunset that should go into history in the South of England. This is the sunset at its peak over Blenheim; this was around 4:55, and people were coming into the park from the town in order to see it. If you didn't see it, here's what you missed!

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Blenheim Palace, Sunsets over England

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