Blenheim Palace launches ‘Servants’ Tales: Ghosts, Gossip and Secrets’ behind-the-scenes tour

Blenheim Palace opens the door to the life “below stairs” this winter with an all-new guided tour that blends hard-graft history with ghost stories and household scandal. Opening today, 7th January, and running until 14th Feb, the tour is now available for a new and interesting peek into one of Oxfordshire’s gems.

Starting at the Life Below Stairs exhibition, Servants’ Tales: Ghosts, Gossip and Secrets explores spaces the public rarely sees; the former Kitchen Courtyard and laundry rooms, hidden corridors, staff quarters, and finally the Chapel and Crypt, resting place of the Dukes and Duchesses of Marlborough.

Along the way, Blenheim’s guides share first-hand accounts of servant hierarchy and hardship, whispered romances and bribery, and hauntings passed down through generations, including the Dusting Nanny, said to keep polishing corridors and stacking linens long after her time.

Heather Carter, Managing Director – Visitor Attraction:

“We’re thrilled to offer a unique glimpse into the lives of the people who once kept Blenheim running. The tour reveals stories of scandal and the supernatural that will intrigue visitors and give everyone a fresh perspective on 300 years of history.”

Tour at a glance

• Daily at 12:00 (7 Jan–14 Feb), meeting point: entrance to Life Below Stairs exhibition
• Route: Kitchen Courtyard & laundry rooms → hidden corridors & staff quarters → Chapel & Crypt
• What you’ll hear: servant life and hierarchy; ghostly lore (bells that ring uncalled, doors that close, glasses that shatter); gossip & intrigue from a 300-year household
• Included with your pass: Palace & Gardens ticket or Palace & Play Pass (no extra charge, no booking slot needed)

Getting there (from Oxford & across Oxfordshire)

By bus (frequent, direct from Oxford):

• Stagecoach S3 and S7 run from Oxford Rail Station / city centre (Magdalen St) to Woodstock (stop by the Blenheim entrance). From the gate, it’s a 10-minute park walk to the Palace.
• S7 also runs every 30 minutes from Oxford Parkway and Kidlington; and every 30 minutes from Witney via Bladon (Churchill’s grave).
• S3 runs hourly from Chipping Norton and Charlbury.

By train + bus:

• London Marylebone → Oxford Parkway (Chiltern), then Bus 7 (S7) to Blenheim.
• London Paddington / Reading → Oxford (GWR), then Bus S3.
• GWR → Hanborough, then Bus 233 (connect to Blenheim).
• Other routes via Reading, Didcot Parkway or Birmingham New Street connect easily.

By bike:

• NCN Route 5 links Oxford to Woodstock. Bike racks available by the Palace; cycling inside the Park is not permitted (you may cycle from the gates to the Palace and back). A Community Cycle Path also links Long Hanborough and Bladon across part of the Estate.

By car:

• Blenheim is 8 miles NW of Oxford on the A44; signposted from M40 J9. Parking is included with admission (Blue Badge spaces near the front; shuttle bus available). 20mph limit on the Estate.

Coach / multi-stop trips:

• Coaches from London Victoria to Oxford (Gloucester Green); providers also offer Oxford–Blenheim–Bicester multi-stop days.

Save 20% with greener travel

Arrive by bus, train or bike and use code GREEN20 when booking Palace, Park & Gardens tickets online, then show proof of green travel on arrival to receive 20% off. (See Blenheim’s Good Journey page for details and eligible services.)

Good to know

• Language support: Blenheim’s site offers information pages in multiple languages.
• Access: The tour covers historic spaces (some with steps/uneven floors). For access queries, contact Blenheim ahead of your visit.
• Pass benefits: Palace & Play Pass gives 12 months of entry to the Palace and Adventure Play (see site for T&Cs).
• Opening times & today’s info: check the Blenheim website before you travel; tickets must be bought in advance.

Plan your visit

• Event page & passes: blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/servants-tales/
• Getting here: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1UL (follow event signage from Woodstock gates)
• Buses: Stagecoach S3 / S7 (and 233 from Hanborough) — see Stagecoach for live times

Whether you come for the ghosts, the gossip or the grand history, Servants’ Tales promises an atmospheric hour below stairs — and a new way of seeing Britain’s Greatest Palace.