Departed Oxford to head to Cheltenham, our base for 4 nights. Did these two major stops along the way.
First off, Blenheim Palace. Fabulous building with over the top decoration in the state rooms, even with its own organ in the Long Library (because who doesn't need music in the library), separate chapel, great gardens and water features, even a butterfly house.
Unfortunate timing in that a 4-day music festival was being held at the palace (each afternoon/evening). So the extra tours I wanted to do (eg downstairs areas, Duke's apartments, etc) were all cancelled. And there were dining tables set up in the Long Library, hundreds of blue chairs in the forecourt, heaps of white marquees everywhere for extra events, and portaloos. It did ruin the 'ambience' and many of our photos. Better download some from the internet instead. A few though ...
Butterflies
First off, Blenheim Palace. Fabulous building with over the top decoration in the state rooms, even with its own organ in the Long Library (because who doesn't need music in the library), separate chapel, great gardens and water features, even a butterfly house.
Unfortunate timing in that a 4-day music festival was being held at the palace (each afternoon/evening). So the extra tours I wanted to do (eg downstairs areas, Duke's apartments, etc) were all cancelled. And there were dining tables set up in the Long Library, hundreds of blue chairs in the forecourt, heaps of white marquees everywhere for extra events, and portaloos. It did ruin the 'ambience' and many of our photos. Better download some from the internet instead. A few though ...
Butterflies
Rose garden
SECOND STOP - Uffington White Horse (the big chalk outline on the side of the hill from stone age or similar days)
Again, unfortunate timing in that due to the dry weather and morons vandalising the outlines the chalk figure has been 'temporarily' fenced off, so you can't get to it. You can walk through a sheep paddock to a lookout where you can see part of it but a drone photo (or one from the internet!) is the only way to go. I wouldn't recommend the detour unless it's reopened.
Tomorrow a huge driving day looking at the fabulous towns in the Cotswolds.
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