Blenheim Palace is preparing to reveal its dramatic transformation following the completion of a £12 million, two-year restoration of its historic roof — the most ambitious repair project the Oxfordshire landmark has ever undertaken. As scaffolding is progressively removed across the site, visitors are beginning to see the 300-year-old palace restored to its former splendour.
The project, which is due to be fully completed by the end of October, has involved extensive work across the palace’s roofline, including re-leading the roof, retaining and replacing slates across the Heights, Galleries, and Saloon, and increasing gutter capacity by more than 300 per cent. The scale of the undertaking reflects the challenges facing owners of historic buildings across Britain, where ageing infrastructure and the demands of the British climate place enormous pressure on centuries-old fabric.
Landmark Features Return to View
Among the most visible signs of the restoration’s progress is the reappearance of the statue of Britannia, which once again stands atop the palace and can be seen on the Oxfordshire skyline. The columns of the Great Court have also been uncovered, restoring the recognisable classical vista that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to the site each year.
One particularly striking element of the restoration is the conservation of a collection of painted eyes on the North Portico roof. The artwork was commissioned by Gladys Deacon, the second wife of the 9th Duke of Marlborough, and painted by the artist Colin Gill (1892–1940). Based on a note written by Gladys beneath a photograph of the work referring to ‘our eyes’, it has been concluded that the blue eyes depicted are hers and the brown ones belong to the 9th Duke. The piece had last been restored in 2008. Skilled conservators removed accumulated dirt and cobwebs, surface-cleaned the area by hand, cleaned the gilding, secured flaking paint, and addressed discolouration to restore clarity to the unusual artwork.
The Saloon — one of the palace’s grandest interior spaces — is set to be gradually revealed from mid-August, with a further opportunity available in September for visitors to observe the final stages of conservation on the lower wall paintings. A temporary tunnel will be installed in the Great Hall during this period to allow scaffolding and covering to be safely removed. The final stage of outdoor works is taking place on the South Lawn, where the Louis XIV statue will stand clear of wrapping and scaffold, with the newly restored palace roofline rising behind it.
A Landmark in Conservation
Blenheim Palace, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705, is also the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Set within more than 2,000 acres of parkland landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown, the palace is one of the finest examples of English Baroque architecture in existence. It first opened its doors to the paying public 75 years ago, with admission income used to fund essential conservation works — a model that continues to underpin the palace’s approach to heritage preservation today.
Heather Carter, Managing Director of Blenheim Palace, said:
