Bucolic Bliss at Blenheim Palace

The family residence of the Dukes of Marlborough and the birthplace of Winston Churchill, this stunning English Baroque masterpiece by John Vanbrugh is matched only in magnificence by the grandeur of the landscape created by Capability Brown.

It is the only country house in England to hold the title of palace that is either non-royal or non-episcopal and the suite of state rooms and the breathtaking library with the largest organ in a private home is an absolute must.

Whenever I go to houses like Blenheim, I always like to imagine sweeping up the main drive, gliding through the porticoed entrance, briefly taking in the grandeur of the Thornhill cupola and finally being graciously met by the hosts in a frenzied fresco extravaganza.

And when you leave, turn right and a few hundred metres up the road is St Martin's Church, burial place of Winston himself....