World-renowned designers announced for major exhibition at Blenheim Palace

With more than a million people visiting Blenheim Palace every year, the historic estate in Woodstock will be hosting Icons of British Fashion from 23rd March, showcasing works from top British designers.

This blockbuster exhibition, running until 30th June 2024, will showcase bespoke designs and loans from some of the world’s most renowned names such as Barbour, Bruce Oldfield, Lulu Guinness, Stella McCartney and Stephen Jones Millinery for Christian Dior.

The full line-up is completed by Temperley London, Terry de Havilland, Turnbull & Asser, Vivienne Westwood and Zandra Rhodes.

Groups will start in the Great Hall, and as they travel through the palace will see a vast collection of clothing, accessories, archival materials, drawings, photography, and patterns, cleverly integrated with the priceless Blenheim collections to provide a new experience.

Beyond style, this exhibition explores sustainability, ethical fashion, and the future of the industry. Organisers say that fashion isn’t just about clothing; it’s a powerful form of self-expression and influence, and some of the world’s most influential fashion icons are British, and their outfits carry deep cultural significance, inspiring countless people.

“As a charity, group bookings are vital for the ongoing restoration and conservation of Blenheim Palace.”

This year also sees the palace celebrate the 150th anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill, who was born at the palace in 1874.

Group booking perks at Blenheim Palace

For the first time ever, Blenheim Palace has introduced two year trade pricing, as well as an enhanced welcome service for group visitors. Discounts begin at 15 or more people and must be booked in advance. 

Other perks include free all day coach parking, a free admission voucher for commercial coach drivers plus a £5 voucher for them to use in the onsite cafés. A free onsite guide can also be downloaded on to personal devices to highlight even more historical detail on the tour. 

Sarah‑Jayne Beasley, partnership manager at Blenheim Palace, said, “As Britain’s greatest palace, we want to make it easy for group travellers to visit our renowned Palace, Park, and Gardens and enjoy everything we have to offer at the best possible rate.

“As a charity, group bookings are vital for the ongoing restoration and conservation of Blenheim Palace. We have another exciting year ahead featuring a calendar of amazing events and exhibitions and we hope these key enhancements continue to encourage people to come along and discover Blenheim Palace.”