Blenheim Palace is set to welcome a brand-new attraction this summer as the Marlborough Mini Farm takes up residence at the Oxfordshire estate from 21st July to 1st September 2026. The temporary farm will bring a selection of rare and native British livestock to the grounds of the UNESCO World Heritage Site for the very first time.
Visitors will be able to meet Berkshire pigs, Buff Orpington chickens, Cotswold sheep and English goats — all breeds recognised by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and classified as Red List or Priority Breeds. This designation means they are considered native livestock breeds at risk of disappearing and are actively monitored for conservation purposes. The attraction is designed to give families, particularly young children, an up-close introduction to these animals and an understanding of what makes each breed distinctive.
Rare Breeds and Conservation
The Rare Breeds Survival Trust, established in 1973, works to prevent the extinction of traditional British farm animal breeds that have declined sharply due to modern agricultural practices favouring higher-yield commercial varieties. By bringing these animals to a high-profile venue such as Blenheim Palace, the Marlborough Mini Farm offers both an educational experience and a wider public platform for conservation awareness. Berkshire pigs, for instance, are one of the oldest recorded pig breeds in Britain, while the Cotswold sheep — sometimes called the “Cotswold Lion” — was once one of the most prized wool-producing breeds in medieval England.
The initiative is well-timed for the school summer holidays, when family visitor numbers at heritage attractions across the UK typically surge. Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and home to the Dukes of Marlborough, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and has in recent years expanded its family-focused events and activities alongside its traditional heritage offer.
Summer Savings and Ticket Options
Families visiting between 25th June and 1st September 2026 can benefit from what the palace is calling its Great British Summer Savings, which includes reduced admission prices across all ticket categories and savings on children’s meals. Access to the Marlborough Mini Farm is included with a valid Palace & Gardens Ticket or a Palace and Play Pass — the latter granting entry to both the palace and its Adventure Play area for a full year.
Blenheim Palace operates as a charity, and all income from admissions and donations is reinvested into the ongoing maintenance of the palace, its collections and its 2,000-acre landscape park, which was designed by Capability Brown. Visitors who are UK taxpayers are also encouraged to donate under Gift Aid, allowing the palace to reclaim additional tax on contributions.
Full details and ticket booking are available via the Marlborough Mini Farm page on the Blenheim Palace website.
