Outdoor Exhibition Celebrates Beautiful Blenheim

Blenheim Palace’s stunning landscape and parkland is being showcased as part of an outdoor photography exhibition celebrating the natural beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

A selection of top winning images from the ‘Beautiful Blenheim’ 2021 competition will be exhibited alongside the main International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY) exhibition number 14, until 18^th August.

 

The exhibition features award-winning garden, plant, flower and botanical photography alongside pictures showcasing the beauty of Blenheim Palace and its unique parkland.

 

The images are displayed on outdoor panels next to Blenheim’s famous Rose Garden.

 

This year’s winning entry, titled ‘Sculpting the Sky’ features a striking black and white image of the Column of Victory taken by Brian Lee.

 

It was chosen by His Grace The Duke of Marlborough, who said: “I chose the photo ‘Sculpting the Sky’ as the clouds remind me of the words ‘Like the circles that you find in the windmills of your mind’.”

 

Jeremy Flint’s ‘Bonsai’ image of an oak tree was awarded 2nd Place and Bharat Patel’s ‘Grand Bridge by Night’ was in 3rd Place. These podium places plus the two Finalists are on display as part of the outdoor exhibition.

 

Launched in 2007, International Garden Photographer of the Year continues to be one of the world’s most respected photography competitions and exhibitions, particularly within the genres of garden, flower and botanical photography.

 

It is run in association with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London. The main exhibition’s annual launch is normally held at Kew, with a rolling programme of touring exhibitions in the UK and all over the world.

 

Competition 14 featured categories including returning favourites such as ‘The Beauty of Plants’, ‘Beautiful Gardens’ and ‘Abstract Views’ and recent addition ‘Plants & Planet’ – where a portion of the entry fees are donated to WeForest to plant new trees.

 

There is also the annual, prestigious Portfolios section which are judged and awarded in association with The Royal Photographic Society (The RPS).

 

IGPOTY is inclusive and welcomes entries from amateurs and professionals alike, from any adult, from any country in the world.

 

 

• The International Garden Photographer of the Year Exhibition is on until 18^th August 2021 and is free with either a Palace, Park and Gardens or a Park and Gardens admission. For details visit www.blenheimpalace.com/whatson .

 

Issued on behalf of Blenheim Palace. For more information please contact Samantha Vaughan on 07469 129743 or SVaughan@blenheimpalace.com or Niamh O’Sullivan at NO’Sullivan@blenheimpalace.com

 

About Blenheim Palace

 

Home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705, Blenheim Palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

 

Set in over 2,000 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland and designed by

Vanbrugh in the Baroque style, it was financed by Queen Anne, on behalf of a grateful nation, following the first Duke of Marlborough’s triumph over the French in the War of the Spanish Succession.

 

Today it houses one of the most important and extensive collections in Europe, which includes portraits, furniture, sculpture and tapestries.

 

Blenheim Palace is also the birthplace of one of Britain’s most famous leaders, Sir Winston Churchill, and it was his father who described the vista on entering the Estate from the village of Woodstock as the ‘finest view in England’.