Blenheim Palace, the UNESCO World Heritage Site and birthplace of Winston Churchill, is set to launch an intriguing new visitor experience exploring the scandalous side of its 300-year history. The “Lust & Laudanum” trail, opening January 14, 2025, promises to take visitors behind the grand façade to discover tales of passion, intrigue, and historic scandal.
The trail will showcase several notable figures from the palace’s colorful past, including Sarah Churchill’s controversial relationship with Queen Anne, and the dramatic life of Lady Di, daughter of the 3rd Duke, whose divorce by Act of Parliament caused sensation in Georgian society.
Visitors will also learn about Consuelo Vanderbilt, the American heiress who married the 9th Duke of Marlborough, and Gladys Deacon, the celebrated beauty who captivated intellectuals like Proust and Rodin with her brilliant mind before becoming the second wife of the 9th Duke.

The new attraction coincides with Blenheim’s 75th anniversary of opening to the public and forms part of a broader expansion of visitor experiences. The palace is also undertaking its most ambitious restoration project to date, including major repairs to the historic roof.
Additional new experiences for 2025 include a Rooftop View platform, a “Life Below Stairs” tour featuring the original palace kitchens, and extended State Room Tours offering access to previously unseen family treasures in the private apartments.
“This new trail offers visitors a unique perspective on our rich history,” a palace spokesperson explained. “It’s about looking beyond the formal portraits and official histories to discover the real human stories that have shaped Blenheim over three centuries.”
The Baroque palace, home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705, remains one of Britain’s most significant stately homes, set within 2,000 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped gardens. The “Lust & Laudanum” trail will be included in standard palace admission and annual passes.
The palace’s gardens are also scheduled for transformation throughout the year, with new features planned for each season, further enhancing the visitor experience at this historic Oxfordshire estate.