If your family loves a good challenge, the Blenheim Palace maze is one of the best in the country. Tucked inside the Walled Garden of this stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, the Marlborough Maze is two miles of twisting yew hedgerows that will have the whole family scratching their heads, doubling back, and absolutely loving every minute of it!
Whether you’re planning a spring visit or a summer day out, the maze is open daily and included with any standard day ticket or annual pass. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
TL;DR: The Blenheim Palace maze (officially the Marlborough Maze) is open daily in the Walled Garden. It’s free with any day ticket or annual pass, which starts from £41. The Walled Garden also has a Butterfly House, miniature train and Pizzeria. Allow at least 4-5 hours for a full visit. Book tickets in advance online.
What Is the Blenheim Palace Maze?
The Blenheim Palace maze is officially known as the Marlborough Maze, and it’s one of the largest symbolic hedge mazes in the world. Designed with yew trees and inspired by the history of the Palace itself, the maze spans two miles of pathways and is full of dead ends, surprising turns and plenty of triumphant moments when you finally find your way through!
It sits within the Walled Garden, which is one of the most family-friendly areas of the entire estate. The maze is designed to be genuinely challenging, so don’t be surprised if it takes your family a good while to crack it. That’s part of the fun!
Why is it called the Marlborough Maze? The design pays homage to the first Duke of Marlborough, for whom Blenheim Palace was originally built in the early 18th century. The patterns within the hedgerows are said to represent themes from the Palace’s rich history.
It’s suitable for all ages, though very young children will need a helping hand navigating the taller hedgerows. Kids aged 5 and above tend to absolutely thrive in here, racing ahead and feeling like proper explorers!
Opening Times and Ticket Prices for 2026
The great news is that the Blenheim Palace maze is included with every standard day ticket and annual pass. You don’t need to pay anything extra to access it!
Here’s a quick breakdown of the key opening times and ticket options for 2026:
| Area | Opening Times |
|---|---|
| The Walled Garden (inc. Maze) | Open daily, 10:00 – 16:30 |
| The Palace | Open daily, 10:30 – last entry 16:45 |
| The Park | Open daily, 09:00 – 18:00 |
| Butterfly House | Open daily, 10:00 – 17:15 |
| Adventure Play | Open daily, 10:15 – 17:15 |
Ticket Prices
| Ticket Type | Adult | Child (3-16) | Family (2 adults + 2 children) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palace & Gardens Day Ticket | £31 | £15 | £85 |
| Palace, Park & Gardens Pass | £41 | £24 | £110 |
| Palace & Play Pass (inc. Adventure Play) | £51 | £41 | £165 |
Under 3s visit free! You don’t need to book a ticket for children under three years old.
A couple of important things to know before you visit:
- All tickets must be purchased in advance online. You cannot buy on the day at the gate.
- The site operates cashless payments throughout, so leave the coins at home.
- Parking is included with standard tickets, so no extra cost there.
- Blue Badge holders can bring a companion for free.
You can book Blenheim Palace tickets here and guarantee the best prices for your visit.
Tips for Tackling the Maze with Kids
Taking on the Marlborough Maze with children is a brilliant adventure, but a little bit of preparation goes a long way. Here are our top tips for making the most of it!
Make It a Competition
Kids absolutely love a race, so why not split into two teams and see who can find the exit first? Or challenge everyone to find the central viewpoint before heading back out. A little friendly rivalry goes a long way when the hedgerows are towering above you!
Go Early or Late in the Day
The Walled Garden opens from 10:00, and arriving early means you’ll often have the maze to yourselves. If you prefer a quieter experience, the late afternoon can also be a lovely time to visit, especially in spring and summer when the light is gorgeous. Just make sure you allow enough time before the 16:30 closing time.
Don’t Panic When You Get Lost
You will get lost. That’s the whole point! The maze is designed to disorient you, so embrace the confusion and enjoy the experience. There are viewing platforms within the maze that give you a bird’s-eye view of the paths below, which can help you get your bearings.
Bring Snacks and Layers
The maze is outdoors, so weather can play a part in your experience. Bring a light jacket for cooler days and a bottle of water for warmer ones. There’s a Pizzeria in the Walled Garden if you need a proper refuel after all that navigating!
Allow Plenty of Time
The maze alone can take anywhere from 20 minutes to well over an hour depending on how quickly (or not!) your family finds the route. Factor in time for the Butterfly House, the miniature train and a wander through the gardens, and you’ll want to arrive early in the day.
What Else Is There to Do in the Walled Garden?
The maze is a highlight, but the Walled Garden is packed with other brilliant things to keep the family busy. Think the maze is enough on its own? Think again! Here’s what else is waiting for you:
The Butterfly House
Right next to the maze, the Butterfly House is a tropical paradise filled with butterfly species from all around the world. It’s free with any day ticket or annual pass, and children absolutely love watching the butterflies land on their hands and clothes. It opens daily from 10:00 to 17:15.
Winston the Miniature Train
Hop aboard Winston, the estate’s beloved miniature train, which runs between the Palace and the Walled Garden. It costs just £1 per person each way and is a lovely way to travel across the estate, especially if little legs are starting to flag. The train runs daily from 11:00 to 15:45.
The Walled Garden Pizzeria
After all that maze-navigating, everyone deserves a proper lunch! The Walled Garden Pizzeria is open daily from 11:00, with last orders at 15:30. It’s a great spot to sit down, refuel and plan the rest of your day.
The Rowse Honey Hive
This interactive family space in the Walled Garden is a brilliant extra for curious kids. It’s all about bees, honey and the natural world, and it’s free with any day ticket or annual pass. A lovely educational stop that feels anything but like a school lesson!
Beyond the Maze: Making a Full Day of Blenheim Palace
The Walled Garden and maze are brilliant, but Blenheim Palace has so much more to offer across its 2,000-acre estate. If you’re making the journey, it’s well worth planning a full day so you can explore everything on offer.
The Palace State Rooms
With a Palace, Park & Gardens Pass, you can explore the magnificent State Rooms inside the Palace itself. Think gilded ceilings, priceless tapestries, grand portraits and centuries of history. The Churchill Exhibition is also a must-see, documenting the adventurous life of Sir Winston Churchill, who was born here in 1874.
Adventure Play (Palace & Play Pass Required)
If you’re visiting with energetic kids, consider upgrading to the Palace & Play Pass (from £51 for adults, £41 for children). Adventure Play is a secret outdoor world with climbing frames, slides, tunnels, bridges, zip lines and water play. It’s only included with this ticket type, but it’s absolutely worth it for families with younger children.
The Gardens and Parkland
Even without the Palace, the formal gardens and parkland are stunning. You can walk, cycle or simply explore at your own pace across more than 2,000 acres. In spring, the blossom is incredible, and in summer the gardens are at their most vibrant. Dogs are welcome in selected outdoor areas on a lead too!
Our recommendation: If you’re visiting with children aged 3-12, the Palace & Play Pass gives you the best value for a full family day out. You get the maze, Butterfly House, Adventure Play, the Palace and the gardens all in one ticket.
How to Get to Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is located in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, just 8 miles north-west of Oxford. It’s easy to reach by car, train or bus.
- By car: Use postcode OX20 1UL in your satnav. Parking is included with standard tickets, so no need to worry about extra costs.
- By train: The nearest stations are Oxford, Oxford Parkway and Hanborough. You can travel from London Marylebone directly to Oxford or Hanborough.
- By bus: From Oxford city centre, catch the S3 or S7 bus, which runs four times an hour and stops near the Palace.
The site is wheelchair and pushchair friendly, with accessible toilets and baby changing facilities on site. Wheelchair hire is also available.
Ready to Take on the Blenheim Palace Maze?
The Marlborough Maze is one of those brilliant family experiences that’s genuinely fun for everyone, from tiny tots clinging to your hand to older kids convinced they’ve cracked it (they haven’t). It’s the kind of challenge that creates memories, and when you finally find your way out, the sense of triumph is absolutely worth every wrong turn!
Don’t forget: tickets must be booked in advance and cannot be purchased on the day. Head over to our Blenheim Palace tickets page to book your visit and guarantee the best prices. Tickets start from just £41 for a Palace, Park & Gardens Pass, with under 3s going completely free.
We love Blenheim Palace as a family day out, and the maze is one of the main reasons why. Go on, get lost!