Random thoughts and photos of my journey through life…
Filed under Anecdotes, Holidays, Woodstock 2026
The bed was nice and comfy but I kept waking up due to the heat and lack of air in the room. The breakfast menu was comprehensive and had some unusual options to choose from. I selected coconut French toast with pineapple, honey and yoghurt which made for an interesting change.
After breakfast we collected our [...]
No Comments CherryPie on Aug 27th 2026
Filed under Gardens, Out & About
Designed by ‘Capability’ Brown in the 1760s, the Grand Cascade at the western end of the lake is one of England’s most picturesque waterfalls. Here the Glyme plunges dramatically from the lake and the slowly winds south-westwards under the ‘New’ Bridge designed by Sir William Chambers, eventually joining the River Evenlode, a tributary of the [...]
6 Comments CherryPie on Jun 15th 2015
Filed under Heritage, Out & About
The 41-metre (134-foot)-high Doric ‘Column of Victory’ stands at the entrance to the Great Avenue in the Park. It is crowned by a lead statue of the 1st Duke, by Robert Pit. The statue depicts him dressed as a Roman general, with eagles at his feet and a Winged Victory in his hand. The monument [...]
16 Comments CherryPie on Jun 13th 2015
Filed under Art, Heritage, Out & About
Previously referred to as the ’roundabout’, in 2012 the Roundel was restored and turned into a beautiful water feature.
The late 1890s and early 1900s saw the Roundel at its finest, but the 21st century saw this garden feature in need of restoration and rejuvenation. In early 2012, the 11th Duke of Malborough, with the generous [...]
4 Comments CherryPie on Jun 6th 2015
Filed under Gardens, Out & About
The secluded secret garden is a nice tranquil place with winding pathways, ponds and streams.
As part of the commemoration of the tercentenery in 2004 of the Battle of Blenheim, the 11th Duke restored the garden, first laid down by his father; keeping much of the original layout while introducing many new features.
As a ‘garden for [...]
17 Comments CherryPie on Jun 5th 2015
Filed under Gardens, Heritage, Out & About
The Italian garden is situated in front of the private part of Blenheim Palace and not open to the public.
The garden enjoys a delightful, sheltered position, bordered on two sides by the Orangery and the East Front. Despite its name, the Italian Garden would not look out of place at a French chateau. With its [...]
10 Comments CherryPie on Jun 4th 2015
Filed under Gardens, Out & About
Undoubtedly the majestic Water Terraces on the west front are a major part of the 9th Duke’s outstanding legacy to the Palace. A remarkable 20th century achievement, they have been compared to the Parterre d’Eau at Versailles. The Duke took his inspiration from Bernini whose river-gods fountain, now on the lower terrace, is a scale [...]
8 Comments CherryPie on Jun 3rd 2015
