top tips when visiting Blenheim Palace Lodge Retreat
- activities
- family-friendly
- food and drink
- holidays
Are you looking at booking an escape to our luxury Blenheim Palace Lodge Retreat?
If so, then this blog is for you! Below you will find everything you need to know about the local area for when you visit, from things to do to the closest shops and even places to eat. Make sure you have a read before your stay to ensure that you are clued up with the local area and ways to keep you busy during your stay. If you have any other questions about the resort before you visit, make sure to check out our Blenheim Palace Lodge Retreat FAQ page.
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what to do before checking in?
As the name of the retreat suggests, Blenheim Palace Lodge Retreat is located on the grounds of the Blenheim Estate. So, before you check in at 4pm you could go and explore the incredible Blenheim Palace. With over 300 years of history, it makes the perfect day out for the whole family. From tours around the palace to exploring the incredible grounds. Outside the palace you will also find The Walled Garden, Marlborough Maze, The Butterfly House, The Miniature Train, and the Formal Gardens.
what are the top things in the area?
There is so much to see and do around Woodstock and the local area that it can be hard trying to figure out exactly what you want to do during your stay. So, we have put together this list of a few of the top things to do in the area to suit groups of all ages.
1. The Oxfordshire Museum
4 min drive from resort
The Oxfordshire Museum can be found in an 18th century house in the heart of Woodstock. It is a museum that covers the history of the county of Oxfordshire through various galleries and exhibitions. As well as the various exhibitions that you can explore there is a café and gift shop that you can browse and enjoy a bite to eat in after your visit.
2. Fairytale Farm
18 min drive from resort
Fairytale Farm has a petting zoo, play zones and fairytale-themed gardens that you can explore and is known for being a sensory and learning wonderland for all the family. The animals that you can see are things like ponies, pigs, chickens, donkeys, rabbits, turkeys, ferrets, peacocks and more. As well as the petting zoo you can explore the Enchanted Walk, or play in the Huff and Puff zone, or enjoy some food and drink at the Beanstalk Café. There is plenty to keep everyone entertained.
3. Bicester Village
20 min drive from resort
If you love to shop, then you are in the right place as Bicester Village is just 20 minutes away from Blenheim Palace Lodge Retreat. With over 150 boutiques of the world’s best luxury fashion and lifestyle brands you will be able to spend the whole day here browsing. One of the reasons Bicester Village is so popular is due to its huge savings so you will always manage to leave with taking advantage of their huge discounts. As well as the shops there are also plenty of cafes, restaurants and food trucks dotted around the shopping village.
4. Oxford University Museum of Natural History
22 min drive from resort
Oxford University Museum of Natural History is free to visit and displays many of University of Oxford’s natural history specimens as well as various exhibitions and events that change throughout the year. There are all sorts of collections to learn about from palaeontology to art and architecture and the most iconic specimen that the museum has, the Oxford Dodo. The Oxford Dodo is the only surviving remains of a dodo soft tissue that exists anywhere in the world!
5. Crocodiles of the World
23 min drive from resort
Specialising in all things Crocodiles, Crocodiles of the World is a zoo in Brize Norton which makes the perfect day out for families. Known for being the UK’s only crocodile zoo, you will find 19 of the worlds 26 species at this zoo as well as other reptiles, mammals, and birds. As well as exploring the zoo yourself there are also keeper experiences that you can book onto and various talks and feeds at different enclosures.
closest shops for essentials?
Each of our lodges at Blenheim Palace Lodge Retreat are self-catering so they will have all the equipment you need in the kitchen to cook delicious meals together. So that means it will be handy to know about the closest shops to the retreat.
- Co-operative Food – 3 min drive from resort
- Tesco Superstore – 10 min drive from resort
- Iceland Supermarket – 10 min drive from resort
- Sainsbury’s – 11 min drive from resort
- Waitrose & Partners – 11 min drive from resort
where to eat out?
All our accommodation at the retreat have fully equipped kitchens so you will probably be making your own meals during your stay. But it is nice to enjoy a meal out once or twice especially if you are out for the day, so we’ve listed some choices that are nearby below.
1. Brothertons Brasserie
3 min drive from resort
Enjoy an authentic Italian right in the heart of Woodstock and just a short drive away from the retreat. They source all their meats and vegetables from local butchers and grocers along with sourcing the freshest of ingredients with fish deliveries. All the classics can be enjoyed here from delicious pizzas made from scratch to incredible pasta dishes. Brothertons Brasserie recently took over La Galleria to expand the restaurant into the building next door to offer more seating and dining spaces.
2. The White House
3 min drive from resort
Located right at the edge of Blenheim Palace is The White House. A traditional pub which is also known to be the place where Winston Churchill ‘learnt to drink’. Now it is known as a place to go and enjoy some great beer, delicious food, and an amazing atmosphere. They feature in the CAMRA good beer guide and have been awarded various awards over the years. You can expect to enjoy all the pub classics like fish and chips, Sunday lunch and even brunch on Saturday’s. They are also dog-friendly, so everyone is welcome!
3. The Crown Inn
3 min drive from resort
The Crown Inn is a grade 2 listed 18th century building and is a country-chic hotel and restaurant right in the centre of Woodstock and less than a mile from the Blenheim Estate. The restaurant is decorated brightly and is open plan with exposed brickwork and a fireplace. The doors also open out onto a stunning patio which is great for the summer months. They have everything from a breakfast menu, lunch menu, dinner menu, Sunday lunch menu and kids menu so there is something for everyone to enjoy.
4. The Boat Inn
6 min drive from resort
A family-run, dog-friendly country pub right by the canal offering delicious food and drink all day. They use the freshest, seasonal, locally sourced produce to create their dishes in house and you can expect to see things like pies, grill favourites, baguettes, and paninis at lunch time and of course Sunday roast carvery. Over the years they have been awarded various awards and are a popular choice for walkers, boaters, hikers and tourists.
5. Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill
14 min drive from resort
Located inside of the Leonardo Royal Hotel Oxford, Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill offers a sophisticated setting for a delicious dining experience. As you’d expect, there is a great choice of options when it comes to steak with various fillets, burgers and other options like chicken, pie, fishcake and more. They also have specials on the menu that are available in the evenings between Monday and Saturday.