Blenheim Palace’s annual deep clean is underway

In preparation of welcoming visitors to experience Britain’s Greatest Palace for the new year, Blenheim Palace, has announced that its annual deep clean to keep the UNESCO World Heritage Site and award-winning attraction in pristine condition is underway.

The process will begin in the Long Library on Wednesday 7th January, which takes approximately eight days to complete, with the full deep clean of Blenheim Palace taking between six and eight weeks in total.

This year, due to the ongoing vital £12 million roof restoration project, which protects and preserves the Palace for future generations to enjoy for years to come, the dedicated team of experts has their work cut out for them. The cleaning team will be working around areas that are currently inaccessible, displaced objects, and increased levels of dust to contend with.

The deep clean covers every aspect of the historic interiors, from silverware and sculptures to tables and tapestries, including 18 clocks, 38 pieces of armour and 40 busts and sculptures. Each item requires specialist care and techniques to ensure its long-term preservation, using methods such as distilled water and avoiding aerosol sprays.

Chandeliers throughout the State Rooms are a particular focus this year, with delicate crystal and glass elements being carefully cleaned at height. Whilst working at these levels, the team will also monitor the condition of the walls, where there have previously been signs of structural shifting. This ongoing monitoring is carried out in close collaboration with the Build Heritage team to ensure the Palace remains safe and well cared for.

At high levels, there are also signatures from previous and existing members of staff, offering a unique insight into the people who have cared for Blenheim Palace over the years. This follows the recent discovery by conservators in the Great Hall of decades-old graffiti, which staff previously believed no one had accessed for centuries.

The interiors of Blenheim Palace feature extensive gilt work, contributing to the palatial appearance. Different conservation techniques are required depending on the surface, whether walls, furniture, tables, or chairs, to protect this intricate gold detailing.

The Oxfordshire attraction is inviting visitors to learn about the vital work they carry out on the magnificent rooms and extensive collections, with the opportunity to see and hear directly from experts on the methods used to restore and repair the building and collections within it. Restoration and Conservation tours will run daily at 14.00 between Wednesday 7th January – Saturday 14th February.

Natural cleaning products, bristle brushes and old-fashioned elbow grease are being used by a team as they embark on the annual New Year deep clean of Blenheim Palace. The team also uses new technologies such as museum vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters, as each room has to be carefully stripped of all the furniture and artefacts and vacuumed from floor to ceiling.

Carmen Alvarez, Collections and Conservation Manager, said, “The annual deep clean is a vital part of how we care for Blenheim Palace and its collections. It allows us to work closely with thousands of objects and architectural details to ensure they are kept to the highest standards. With the added complexity of the roof restoration project, this year’s clean requires even greater care and coordination, but it is essential work to preserve the Palace for future generations.”

The Restoration and Conservation tours are 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, giving visitors more fun, more discovery, more history, more history at Britain’s Greatest Palace.

For more information and to book tickets, visit www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/restoration-conservation-tours.html

ENDS

For more information, contact Campaign, A Cab Studio – [email protected]

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.