We have long been fans of Blenheim Palace visiting a lot over the years and I can not see that changing anytime soon. So I was delighted to hear about the new Blenheim Palace Adventure Playground. The boys love a good adventure playground. When we were visiting for the Battle Proms last weekend. We used it as an excuse to check out the new £3.6m development Blenheim Palace Adventure Play at the UNESCO world heritage site. I had heard great things so I was looking forward to giving it a go. Here is how we got trying out one of the things for children to do at Blenheim Palace for kids and the Lost Garden.
AD – we were invited to explore Blenheim Palace I decided to write a post about Blenheim Lost Garden Reviews all words and opinions are my own.
Blenheim Palace New Adventure Playground
Located in the historic walled gardens the adventure playground is called the Lost Garden. The whole theme centres around a hidden world of adventure. It is very clever with different areas clearly defined and it was good to see that it caters for all age groups. Making it one of the best things for children to do at Blenheim Palace.
How to reach Blenheim Palace Adventure Play
There are a couple of different options on how to get to Blenheim Palace Lost Garden. If you are visiting just the playground then you can park very close. Instead of parking in the main car park when you arrive if turn left at the crossroads in front of the palace entrance. You can follow the road to the walled gardens and park in the small car park here. Please note this is the second left as the first left will take you to an alternative grass carpark.
Alternatively, you can catch the miniature train from just outside the entrance of Blenheim Palace. The boys love that train that runs throughout the day. You will be able to see when the next train is at the station where there is a clock that indicates this. The train runs twice an hour from the Palace to the walled garden and then back again. So approximately every fifteen minutes or so. It costs £1 per person each way. You can pay by card before boarding.
Or you can walk. We tend to walk one way and then catch the train back to save little worn-out legs when visiting Blenheim Palace with kids. Walking will take you partly through the beautiful formal gardens and carefully designed landscape. If you walk straight there it will take about fifteen to twenty minutes to reach the garden adventure play. Which is easily doable.
How much does it cost to visit Blenheim Palace for kids?
There is an extra cost for entrance to the Blenheim Palace Adventure Playground. This is on top of the palace and gardens tickets. At the time of writing, it was either £7 per person (including adults) for a three-hour session or £5 per person for a two-hour after-school session. Even if you have a valid annual pass or a privilege pass.
If you have not visited before you can buy a family ticket to enter the palace, gardens and park for £90 for a family of four. The tickets effectively becomes an annual pass by treating your payment as a charitable donations. Allowing you to return as much as you like during the next 12 months. As there is always something going on and it is such a great place I think that the annual passes represent good value. Please note special events are not. normally free to annual pass holders.
You can book your three-hour slot online when you purchase your Blenheim Palace tickets. At the entrance to the Lost Garden’ Adventure play area, there is a little kiosk. Here you can exchange your digital ticket booking for a coloured wristband. The wrist indicates which three-hour session you are part of. Adults also need to wear a wristband.
What are the different play areas?
The idea behind Blenheim Palace Adventure Play Lost Garden is that there is a series of immersive interconnecting zones. As you enter through the door in the wall you see in front of you a huge family adventure playground. With a cafe and amenities to your left and to the right, giant wooden sunflowers, giant carrots and an array of brightly planted flowerbeds. It is a real feast for the senses almost as if you have stepped into a different world. I can see why it has fast become one of the best things for children to do at Blenheim Palace.
The football pitch-sized area has been designed for children of all abilities. Its original design, which was created by renowned children’s play design company cap.co, is based on various architectural aspects of the palace.
You will see a site map at the entrance but the main areas of Blenheim Palace Adventure Playground are:
Winding River
You can not miss the giant gold globe water feature that gives way to a little stone stream that runs almost the entire length of the main area. Full of interactive water features it gives children a chance to paddle to their heart’s content while playing with little wooden dams. I would definitely consider packing some water shoes and shorts or swimwear in the Summer months for the paddle palace. As they will not be able to resist it, especially the water jets and stepping stones. This central water play feature was extremely popular when we visited. There is a large seating terrace which runs along one side and has fake grass to sit on.
Vegetable Patch
This was my favourite part because of its bright colours. You either enter via a giant flower pot or a potting shed encouraging you to get lost in the garden. The giant carrots give way to climbing opportunities, a fireman’s pole and metal bars. There is also a large rope spiderweb, the whole area reminded me a little of Blenheim Palace walled garden and kitchen garden. It is a good area for younger children that are a little bit too old for the toddler area.
Boathouse Toddler Play
This is a special toddler zone for young children up to the age of five. Modelled on the lakeside boat house this small play area contains a walkway, wonky mirrors, a slide and a wobbly play boat. There is even a baby seat zip line and activity tunnels for babies. Easily reached by the shaded seating area and next to a giant log swing. It makes Blenheim Palace for kids the perfect outing.
Wilderness
This area is made up of zip wires and is for older children. The boys were delighted to find that these are not just any old zip lines. Instead, they have been placed right next to each other to create triple racing zip lines. They had a great time racing each other although they were not as fast as they had hoped.
Over the Wall
Located next to the zip lines this area contains, rope bridges, playground cargo nets and aerial walkways. It feels as though you are walking amongst the trees. Off to one side, it was very quiet in this particular area when we visited despite being a Saturday afternoon during peak times.
Grand Bridge
This extensive play area is based on several floors with secret tunnels and secret chambers creating a hidden world playground. There is also a large silver tube slide. This area is based on a replica of Vanbrugh’s Grand Bridge which is the Palace Grounds. It encourages active play with so much climbing and plenty of cargo nets. It also runs into another wooden area that is linked by wooden bridges.
The Great Gates
Also modelled on the entranceway. This has a large tube slide, suspended wooden enclosed tunnels and also a wire tunnel. Harry loved exploring this area and climbing up inside the turrets. There is so much that children are bound to find something that will keep them entertained.
What is there to eat at Blenheim Palace Adventure Play?
Inside Blenheim Palace Adventure playground there is the snack shack which serves the Garden Cafe Woodstock Menu. This serves a range of hot and cold drinks, cakes, ice cream and snacks. We had mushroom and cheese croissants that were particularly nice although not cheap at £4.50 each. There are tables right next to the cafe and also a larger seating area a little further on. You can bring a picnic in. Or alternatively, there is the pizza café located next to the butterfly house. Which can be reached by walking past the giant hedge maze. From here you can get take-out pizza and salads and bring them back into the play area.
We had a really great time enjoying the new outdoor adventure experience. We have always loved Blenheim but I think it has been missing a family play area. Until now that is! Have you visited the Blenheim Palace adventure play? I would love to hear about your experiences in the comments below. What are your favourite things for children to do at Blenheim Palace?
As you can probably tell we really do love visiting Blenheim Place in Oxfordshire. There is so much that we see something new each time we visit. If you are thinking of visiting, find out more about some of the other things to do – Best Things to do at Blenheim Palace. You can read our other Oxford blog posts you can do so here.
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