Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation launches £1 million conservation project to save priceless artworks
Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation has announced the launch of a major £1 million conservation project focused on the restoration of its iconic Saloon and Great Hall paintings.
The year-long programme, led by OPUS Conservation, marks a significant investment in the conservation of the World Heritage Site’s most architecturally and artistically significant interiors.
The project is generously funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and The Blenheim Foundation, and will bring together a unique collaboration of expert conservators, academics, and heritage professionals. It will also serve as a hub for learning and research, with contributions from the Tate, The Courtauld Institute of Art, and the University of Oxford.
The painting conservation work will run alongside the monumental £12 million roof restoration project – the most ambitious undertaking in the history of Britain’s Greatest Palace.
A combination of age, climate change and penetration from rainfall have led to the declining state of the roof, attic timbers and ceilings below. The priceless artworks in the Saloon and Great Hall are at risk of being lost forever if the work is not carried out.
The artworks which are central to the painting conservation project include The Great Hall ceiling painting by Sir James Thornhill, and Louis Laguerre’s paintings of the Battle of Blenheim in The Saloon.
“This is a pivotal moment for Blenheim Palace,” said Kelly O’Driscoll, Head of Built Heritage at Blenheim Palace. “The Saloon and Great Hall are not only central to the Palace’s story, but also to the experience of the hundreds of thousands of visitors we welcome each year. This project will ensure they are protected while opening up new opportunities for learning, research, and public engagement.”
The conservation work also will include detailed analysis and trials, and provide a platform for academic study and hands-on training for the next generation of heritage professionals.
Lizzie Woolley, Director of OPUS Conservation, commented: “We are honoured to be entrusted with this extraordinary project. The Saloon and The Great Hall are masterpieces of Baroque wall painting, and we look forward to working closely with Blenheim Palace and our academic partners to ensure their best treatment and long-term care.”
Stuart McLeod, Director of England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We’re proud to support this vital conservation work at Blenheim Palace, which will help protect some of the UK’s most significant Baroque artworks for generations to come. Thanks to National Lottery players, this project will not only restore these historic paintings, but also create inspiring opportunities for visitors to learn, engage, and connect more deeply with our shared heritage.”
Work has begun this summer, with regular updates and behind-the-scenes insights to be shared with the public throughout the year.
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About Blenheim Palace
Home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Blenheim Palace is set in over 2,000 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland and is the birthplace of one of Britain’s most famous leaders, Sir Winston Churchill.
With over 300 years of history to share and one of the most important and extensive collections in Europe, Blenheim Palace is not only an iconic part of history, but also a living, changing experience with a wealth of sporting and cultural events, themed exhibitions and tours all year around.
A short miniature train ride away from the Palace is the Walled Garden, which boasts interactive areas entirely dedicated for families to explore including Adventure Play and the Rowse Honey Hive, The Marlborough Maze and Butterfly House. With curated events, an exciting programme of annual activities, entertainment and dedicated eateries for families, these areas guarantee a memorable family day out.
Beyond the grounds and an array of Formal Gardens, the total Estate expands into a further 10,000 acres and focuses on care for the land through sustainable means, pursuing net zero, the growth of the local economy, the provision of affordable homes, apprenticeship training and supported community groups.
Blenheim Palace is Britain’s Greatest Palace.
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.
Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.
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