Lodge Review: Blenheim Palace Lodge Retreat, Oxfordshire, England

Blenheim Palace is one of Britain’s largest and most famous stately homes. This beautiful palace and its extensive grounds are open to visitors all year round and also on offer is a changing programme of events and expositions. The Blenheim Palace Lodge retreat is a great opportunity to spend a few days within walking distance of Blenheim Palace and the pretty Cotswold town of Woodstock.

The Lodge Retreat at Blenheim Palace in the Cotswolds

A lot of thought has gone into the layout of the Blenheim Palace Lodge Retreat which makes the most of the wooded area it occupies on the perimeter of the Blenheim Palace estate. Each of the wooden lodges has been positioned to ensure the privacy of its occupants while making the best of the lovely views across the surrounding countryside. This retreat, managed by Darwin Escapes, features one, two and three-bedroomed luxury self-catering lodges.

 

Who For

Singles, couples, families, small groups of friends and dog lovers will enjoy the versatility of the accommodation on offer. From those looking for a relaxing break to family gatherings this is an ideal venue. Furnished terraces outside the lodges offer a great opportunity to enjoy some fresh air while chatting with family or reading a book.

Accommodation

A mixture of one, two and three-bedroom lodges totalling 36 altogether are spread around a parkland landscape. All the lodges here feature an open-plan living room leading into a fully fitted kitchen. Each kitchen has an oven, microwave, dishwasher and fridge/freezer as well as a good selection of crockery and cooking utensils.

The bedrooms are cosy and comfortable and an efficient heating systems ensures the lodges are warm throughout the year. Each lodge has a parking area and an electric charging station.

Food and Drink

The Lodges are self-catering so guests can bring their own food with them or do a shop in Woodstock on arrival. Some guests arrange for a delivery at the lodges from a local supermarket.

There are plenty of pubs, cafés, and restaurants in Woodstock and Blenheim Palace has a restaurant in the Orangery and a café in the stable yard. A delicious Afternoon Tea is a specialty of the Orangery.

Facilities

On arrival guests check in and collect key cards from reception – a separate building at the entrance that has a small shop selling essentials and souvenirs of Blenheim Palace. It also has a small sitting room with a coffee machine. Reception is manned every day from 9 am to 5 pm by friendly and efficient staff so there is always someone on hand to answer queries and offer help if needed. Free WiFi is available in each lodge.

How Much?

Rates depend on the size of the property and the time and length of stay and start from £270 for a 4-night midweek stay to £345 for a 3-night weekend stay during the winter months in a one-bedroom Winston Lodge.

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What’s Nearby

Blenheim Palace Lodge Retreat is easily accessible from the main road into Woodstock. But once there, take advantage of its proximity to Blenheim Palace and Woodstock by using a variety of footpaths to explore the area. Blenheim Palace is literally on the doorstep and staying so close is a great opportunity to spend some time exploring the whole estate as well as the palace itself.

There are local buses into Woodstock as well for those who prefer not to walk too far. The main vehicle entrance to Blenheim Palace is a short drive from the Retreat and there is a pedestrian entrance at the far end of the town with a lovely walk up to the palace alongside the Queen Lake. Behind the Retreat is a large grassy area around Attenuation Pond – a haven for dog lovers.

 

Bladon Church is a short walk via a path accessed through the back gate of the Retreat. Winston Churchill is buried here surrounded by the graves of his wife Clementine and his mother and father.

The pretty town of Woodstock is within walking distance of the Retreat or a short journey on the public bus. This town is on the edge of the Cotswolds and features independent shops, pubs and cafés as well as the Oxfordshire Military Museum and the Town Gate entrance to Blenheim Palace.

Witney, a traditional market town in the Cotswolds is a short journey on a local public bus following a scenic route through some pretty Cotswold villages. There is an outdoor market here every Thursday and Saturday as well as a Famers’ Market the fourth Friday of every month. This town also features the impressive parish church of St Mary and a Bishop’s Palace. Oxford is also accessible by public transport.

Getting there

Own car is the best option and there is a parking by each lodge as well as an electric charging station.  The nearest railway stations are Finstock, Oxford, Charlbury and Bicester Town and a taxi or public bus thereafter.

 

Verdict Not only an ideal retreat for those wishing to visit Blenheim Palace but also perfect for that special getaway whether with family and friends for some chilling out time.

 

Review by Valery Collins, the Experienced Traveller. An excellent raconteur, Valery has been writing about her experiences on the road since she started travelling 25 years ago. After publishing four books she turned to online travel writing.