Iconic baroque palaces team up to celebrate new exhibition launch

Two of Europe’s most iconic Baroque landmarks have joined forces to celebrate their shared heritage – and the launch of Blenheim Palace’s all-new Blueprints of Power exhibition.

Blenheim Palace, one of the UK’s most celebrated examples of Baroque architecture, has partnered with Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin to offer visitors the chance to win an exclusive weekend getaway to Germany’s capital city, worth over £800.

The lucky winners will receive free tickets to enjoy the full Charlottenburg Palace experience, including entry to the Old Palace, New Wing, New Pavilion, the Mausoleum, and Queen Luise’s tomb, as well as flight vouchers, a two-night stay for two people at Wilmina Hotel, a Spree River Cruise, and Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour tickets, courtesy of City Sightseeing.

The competition marks the opening of Blenheim Palace’s immersive Blueprints of Power exhibition showcasing the bold and fascinating life of the designer of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sir John Vanbrugh (1664–1726). To enter, participants are being asked to head to Blenheim Palace’s social channels and create a reel using the official ‘Winter (Utope & Blenheim Palace Version)’ audio from Blenheim Palace’s Instagram.

Open to the public until 10th April, Blueprints of Power invites visitors to step into the Palace and experience an interactive exhibition shining a light on one of the greatest architects of all time. The exhibition in Britain’s Greatest Palace pays homage to Sir John Vanbrugh and his legacy as an architect, playwright, soldier, spy, courtier, diplomat and garden designer.

A must-see, the exhibition finale is in The Long Library, which hosts a tailor-made light, sound and motion immersive projection experience, offering visitors the chance to literally step into a timeline from the past showcasing the different stages of building Blenheim Palace.

Heather Carter, Managing Director – Visitor Attraction, Blenheim Palace, said: “We’re honoured to partner with Charlottenburg Palace to celebrate the shared beauty and heritage of Europe’s Baroque architecture. This collaboration not only highlights our shared history but also offers visitors an incredible opportunity to experience two renowned palaces and win an unforgettable trip to Berlin.”

Kerstin Schilling, Director of Palace Management Department at the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation, which manages Charlottenburg Palace, said: “It’s fantastic to be partnering with Blenheim Palace, bringing together two renowned European heritage sites. No visit to Berlin is complete without seeing Charlottenburg Palace. The Old Palace and New Wing feature magnificent rooms and state halls from the Baroque period to the early 20th century, furnished with original furnishings. Enjoy the art collection with its outstanding masterpieces and look forward to the porcelain cabinet, the palace chapel, the silver chamber and the golden gallery.”

To find out more about the competition and how to enter, visit www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/three-days-of-giveaways/.

Admission to the Blueprints of Power exhibition is included with a valid day ticket or Pass to Britain’s Greatest Palace.

For more information about the exhibition and to book tickets, visit www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/blueprints-of-power.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.

About Vanbrugh 300

The life and achievements of Sir John Vanbrugh (1664-1726) are being celebrated across the UK during 2026, his tercentenary year, following a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to The Georgian Group.

Sometimes referred to as ‘The Rockstar of the English Baroque’, Vanbrugh was also one of the great Restoration dramatists. His architectural work was as bold and daring as his early political activism and risqué plays. Among many other achievements – including as a dramatist and political activist – Vanbrugh is celebrated for his capacity to exploit the emotional impact of architecture, making exciting and dramatic use of light and shadow, recesses and projections.

The VANBRUGH300 celebrations are presented by the Georgian Group and will include a variety of events, educational programmes, volunteer training, lectures and exhibitions in collaboration with six of the architect’s most significant buildings: Castle Howard (Yorkshire), Blenheim Palace (Oxfordshire), Seaton Delaval Hall (Northumberland), Grimsthorpe Castle (Lincolnshire), Kimbolton Castle (Cambridgeshire) and Stowe House (Buckinghamshire). These activities will all be supported by a dedicated website Vanbrugh300.co.uk.