Saturday 30th September - Sunday 1st October 2023

What Animals Teach Us

Autumn Fest is back at Blenheim Palace with a bounty of activities, workshops and speakers to engage all in nature, sustainability and community and this year they are delighted to work alongside Humanimal Trust, the amazing charity founded by Professor Noel Fitzpatrick.

As well as highlighting our connection with nature, sustainable food and craftsmanship, the architects of Autumn Fest will be looking to Professor Noel Fitzpatrick to learn how our relationship with animals is a bond that benefits everyone.

Noel Fitzpatrick is the headline speaker at Autumn Fest 2023.

Celebrate harvest season as the Charlotte Lloyd Webber Event Design team are back working with Blenheim Palace with the new for 2023 Harvest Emporium, brimming with seasonal produce including Blenheim Palace grown vegetables and cut flowers.

The ever-growing Michaelmas Market is back again for 2023 with over 50 independent Oxfordshire creators, makers and producers to explore alongside artisanal food and drink stalls to sample.

With Britain’s Greatest Palace as a backdrop you can enjoy a packed line up with family friendly performances from WhatNot Theatre and Plunge Boom as well as live music - then dance until dusk with a DJ until 8pm on Saturday.

Visitors can hear from other interesting speakers during Autumn Fest.

Blenheim Palace’s gardening team will be taking to the stage to share their work within the historic Formal Gardens and ‘Capability’ Brown designed parkland whilst the conservation team will highlight what progress has been made on the wider Blenheim Estate promoting biodiversity and their sustainability goals.

Good Food Oxfordshire and Worthy Earth will also be giving Kitchen Garden tours, mini talks and demos during the weekend of festivities.

Soak up the autumnal hues with drinks and dishes created by Blenheim and Worthy Earth using produce grown in the Kitchen Garden, before the autumn equinox brings with it shorter evenings.

Don’t miss sampling some flavours at the Apple and Honey Tasting Bar and stop off at the Blenheim Orange Bar for a tipple or discover food pairings with a sensational range of English wines at the Nyetimber Bar.

For the fashion savvy a sustainable catwalk in partnership with Bicester Village will highlight local designers and eco-conscious clothing and interior brands that are stocked at the Oxfordshire shopping destination.

Weave through the wicker sculpture trail and admire the eco-friendly art within the natural splendour that surrounds Blenheim Palace or get even closer to nature on a guided foraging walk and learn about edible plants in their environment.

Children can join in on the autumnal fun with harvest games, green ‘how to’ and natural craft workshops and race to climb to the top of the hay bale pyramid.

Discover story telling sessions in The Orchard and listen to children’s author Christopher Lloyd in discussion about his latest book focused on sustainability It’s Up To Us.

Written in collaboration with HRH King Charles III’s Sustainable Market Initiative and The Prince’s Foundation, Chris Lloyd’s book focuses on how we can live and build sustainable communities, an ethos shared with CLW Event Design, the creators of Autumn Fest.

They are committed to providing an accessible attraction, and they strive to ensure that visitors with disabilities can enjoy as much of their magnificent World Heritage Site as possible. 

At Blenheim Palace they are committed to providing an accessible attraction for all, and try to ensure everyone can enjoy their visit with us

. Accompanying Carers receive free entry.

If you have any other questions, or to arrange any additional support for your visit, please email customerservice@blenheimpalace.com or call us on 01993 810530.

Where possible they make provisions to ensure the site is accessible for wheelchair, mobility scooter and buggy users.

Their wheelchairs and single-person mobility scooters are available to hire from the Access Desk.

To pre-book a wheelchair or scooter for your visit, please contact their Customer Service team who will reserve one for you.

Please book at least 24 hours in advance, as availability is limited.

Blenheim scooters are not available to take inside the Palace.

They do however, offer a wheelchair transfer for anyone who needs to use one inside the Palace.

Their wheelchairs and scooters will follow a strict cleaning routine between uses.

There is a lift into the Palace state rooms, and into the Orangery restaurant, for wheelchair and scooter access.

The maximum weight in these lifts is 200kg for safety reasons.

Guests are welcome to transfer to a wheelchair, if possible, and have their scooter sent up separately.

Their new accessible route to the Formal Gardens is through the West Courtyard, please ask a member of staff for directions. Please follow the signs for the accessible and step free access routes through the Formal Gardens.

Some of their park walks cover uneven terrain and suitable footwear should be worn.