Celebrities to capture breathtaking rooftop views at Britain’s Greatest Palace
Visitors to Blenheim Palace will be given the chance to see two celebrity painters take to the roof of Britain’s Greatest Palace this September to capture the spectacular panoramic views.
On Wednesday 3rd September, comedian and podcaster, Jenny Eclair, and interior designer and classically trained fine artist, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, will be heading up on the Blenheim Palace rooftop for a live painting session.
Swapping the stage and screen for easels and paintbrushes, Jenny Eclair and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen will bring the breathtaking views to life on the specially designed rooftop viewing platform for one day only. Jenny will be taking part with her husband Geof, before she embarks on her nationwide ‘Jokes Jokes Jokes’ tour later in the month, while Laurence will be showcasing his expert eye for detail alongside his wife Jackie.
Opened earlier this year, the unique Rooftop View experience operates daily from 10.30am to 4.30pm and is included as part of the Palace & Gardens (P&G) ticket or Annual Pass, at no additional cost. This experience is entirely free-flow, allowing visitors to explore at their own pace, with a recommended dwell time of around 30 minutes to allow for the climb, view, and descent.
This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity allows visitors to marvel at unbeatable, panoramic views over the Estate and the surrounding Oxfordshire countryside from a never-before-seen vantage point above the UNESCO World Heritage Site for the first time in its 75-year history since opening to the public.
Heather Carter, Managing Director of Blenheim Palace, said: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome Jenny and Laurence to Blenheim Palace to capture the fantastic views from the rooftop. Visitors to the Palace on the day will be able to enjoy the view from this incredible vantage point, whilst watching it being brought to life on canvas too. We’ll also be finding a special place to display the completed artworks at the Palace for visitors to enjoy.”
The Rooftop View is designed to be accessible to the majority of visitors, though guests should be aware that stair access is the primary route. Full safety guidelines are in place to be strictly adhered to and can be found on the webpage.
Blenheim Palace first opened its doors to the public 75 years ago to raise funds for essential roof conservation work. This pivotal £12 million restoration project, now underway, focuses on repairing a significant section of the Palace roof, helping to futureproof Britain’s Greatest Palace against the elements and preserve its architectural splendour.
Admission is included with a valid Palace & Gardens Ticket or Palace and Play Pass, which grants access to both Blenheim Palace and Adventure Play for a full year, making it fantastic value for enjoying all that Britain’s Greatest Palace has to offer.
If you can’t make it on the day, keep an eye on Blenheim Palace’s social media to see all the latest updates: @blenheimpalace
For information on Blenheim Palace’s Rooftop View experience, visit www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/rooftop-view/, and to find out more about this historic roof restoration project, visit www.blenheimpalace.com/restoration