ENJOY the ‘finest view in England’ while tucking into a luxurious £99 for two summer picnic at Blenheim Palace.

The ancestral seat of the Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, Blenheim - which is just across the Oxfordshire border near Woodstock - is known for having the ‘finest view in England.

Visitors are now invited to mark National Picnic Week, which runs from this Saturday to

Sunday, June 27, with a range of deliciously indulgent picnic hampers to enjoy in the magnificent setting of one of Britain’s greatest palaces.

The Unesco World Heritage Site and catering partner Searcys have produced a range of luxurious picnics - the most expensive of which comes in at £99 for two and includes a bottle of Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial NV Champagne.

This can be sipped in branded Champagne glasses while taking in the stunning scenery of the ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland, including Vanbrugh’s Grand Bridge.

There are three picnics to choose from:

  • Searcys Summer Picnic is £29.50 for two and includes one bento box per person - ploughman’s, vegetarian or afternoon tea - and two 250ml bottles of water
  • The Sparkling Summer Picnic at £69.50 for two comes with a bottle of Cuvée Champagne and two 250ml bottles of water
  • Top of the list though is the Grande Marque Summer Picnic at £99 for two, which comes with a bottle of Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial NV Champagne, a bottle stopper, acrylic branded Champagne glasses and two 250ml bottles of water

All the picnics are pre-bookable online and can be collected from the Orangery Restaurant in a bespoke jute bags.

It was Lord Randolph Churchill, father of Sir Winston, who reportedly came up with the phrase ‘the finest view in England’ to sum up the famous vista which encompasses the Queen Pool, the iconic Vanbrugh Bridge and the magnificent 18th century palace.

His wife, who was pregnant with Winston at the time, later recalled: “As we passed through the entrance archway and the lovely scenery burst upon me, Randolph said with pardonable pride: ‘This is the finest view in England’.”

For more information and to book click here

Location:

Blenheim Palace

Woodstock

OX20 1PP