Britain’s newest holiday retreat now open in Oxfordshire
Blenheim Palace Lodge Retreat, situated just a few minutes from the iconic Blenheim Palace, celebrated its grand opening at the start of this month after a five-year development.
The latest venue by industry-leading Darwin Escapes, the Lodge Retreat features a collection of one, two and three-bedroom lodges set next to historic UNESCO World Heritage Site Blenheim Palace with over 2,000 acres of landscaped parkland and formal gardens. Steeped in more than three centuries of history, home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace boasts a year-round events and exhibition calendar.
Guests at the Lodge Retreat can take advantage of a 20 per cent discount on entry to Blenheim Palace, where they can tour the palace and grounds, immerse themselves in the events and exhibitions and even stand in the room in which legendary British leader Churchill was born.
While the sleek exteriors of each lodge blend in effortlessly with the surrounding trees, inside the stylish units are equipped with everything guests would expect from a luxury lodge. Full self-catering options give guests complete freedom over what and when they eat during their stay. A quarter of the 36 lodges are pet-friendly, complete with fencing around the outdoor patio area to keep animals safe.
Blenheim Palace Lodge Retreat was built with sustainability firmly in mind as the company pioneers a switch to greener electric lodges. Each lodge comes with a vehicle charging point to meet the rising demand from electric cars, while significant investment has gone into landscaping and planting local flora around the site. Lodges have been carefully oriented to the west, making the most of the morning sun and serene views across the neighbouring meadow.
The site is complete with a reception building and friendly team to aid guests throughout their stay. Inside, a shop is fully stocked with Blenheim Palace products alongside other essentials.
It’s been another busy year at Blenheim Palace, with an extensive new Adventure Play area now open ahead of the returning Halloween and Christmas events. The palace – like the nearby village of Woodstock – is particularly popular throughout the holiday season, with a festive light trail, a Christmas market and a lavishly decorated themed Sleeping Beauty storytelling experience.
Dominic Hare, Chief Executive Officer at Blenheim Palace, said: “Working with Darwin Escapes is a huge opportunity and we see this being a great partnership.
We see the extraordinary hospitality that Darwin Escapes provides and are thrilled to call them a partner.”
Lindsey Esse, Managing Director at Darwin Escapes, said: “Our newest destination is also one of our most unique, placing guests just minutes away from one of Britain’s outstanding heritage sites.
“There’s so much to do at the palace and in the surrounding area, and our lodges are the perfect place to base yourself for a holiday exploring the remarkable county of Oxfordshire.”
A stay at Blenheim Palace Lodge Retreat starts at £525 for a week’s stay in a one-bedroom Winston lodge. Guests who sign up to the Darwin Escapes newsletter can take advantage of an exclusive 15 per cent discount on holidays taken between 04/08/23 and 30/09/23,
