A new report by one of the UK’s leading tourism organisations has revealed Blenheim Palace is among the fastest growing paid for visitor attractions in the country.
The report, which has been compiled by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA), shows the Oxfordshire UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also the sixth most popular chargeable visitor attraction outside of London.
Blenheim Palace reported 14.6% growth in visitor numbers last year, the third largest percentage increase after Hampton Court Palace and the Royal Academy.
In 2016 881,447 visited the ancestral home of the Dukes of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.
“We’re delighted with the growth in visitor numbers over the past 12 months and are looking forward to building on that success in the coming years,” said Blenheim Palace CEO Dominic Hare.
“The team here have introduced a series of exciting new initiatives and events recently, including the hugely popular Christmas at Blenheim light trail and a host of innovative exhibitions and activities, all designed to provide compelling new reasons for people to come and visit us. “Rising visitor numbers are not just important to us but are also critically important to the prosperity of the communities around us.”
“Our plans going forward are even more ambitious and we are committed to ensuring Blenheim Palace continues to grow and thrive,” he added.
ALVA’s Members are the UK's most popular, iconic and important museums, galleries, palaces, castles, cathedrals, zoos, historic houses, heritage sites, gardens and leisure attractions.
The 57 ALVA members manage some nearly 2,200 tourist sites and welcome over 119 million domestic and overseas visitors each year; some 28% of the visits made annually in the United Kingdom.
Built in the early 18th century to celebrate Britain’s victory over the French in the War of the Spanish Succession, Blenheim Palace is the ancestral home of the Dukes of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.