Ceiling painting with figures in a grand ornate room, surrounded by high arched windows and decorated walls, architecture by Nick Cox Architects.

Grand English mansion with symmetrical towers, ornate facade, and meticulously landscaped gardens, architecture by Nick Cox Architects.

Grand historic building with classical architecture, tall columns, ornate sculptures, and symmetrical windows, architecture by Nick Cox Architects.

Grand historic estate with ornate architecture in stone, expansive lawn with people relaxing, architecture by Nick Cox Architects.

Close-up of ornate stone architecture with decorative pinnacles and a large gold globe on top, architecture by Nick Cox Architects, against a clear blue sky.

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Blenheim Palace

Architect for a world-class visitor attraction

Enhancing the Legacy of a World Heritage Site

Historic houses Places of worship Estates & masterplanning Hospitality Agricultural and Landscape

Since 2003, Nick Cox has worked as Architect advising on the historic fabric at Blenheim Palace. Some of the practice’s earliest work for Blenheim supported the Palace’s successful bid for UNESCO World Heritage Site status, reporting on the fabric condition of the Grade I Listed Palace and the estate’s 27 other Listed properties.

For over 20 years, Nick Cox Architects have carried out a great variety of projects at Blenheim, both large and small scale.

Ornate stone balustrade and architectural details on a historic building, with sunlight casting shadows, architecture by Nick Cox Architects.

New Visitor Spaces

In 2012, Nick Cox Architects oversaw the development of a new visitor reception, shop, and café at Blenheim Palace. This was created by glazing over the former laundry yard and provided new reception, retail, catering and lavatory facilities. Nick Cox Architects provided the conservation expertise and Conservation Statement for the repair of the historic fabric and guided the development of the new work.

Elegant interior with gilded details, classical paintings, and ornate furniture, leading through doorways to another lavish room. Architecture by Nick Cox Architects.

New Insights on Visitor Access

The 2020 pandemic offered Nick Cox Architects an unprecedented opportunity to launch a new spatial planning project, reviewing and reporting on options to improve the sequencing of visitors’ arrival and circulation within the palace and gardens. This study generated some of the new visitor routes, new Access for All solutions, and new exhibition spaces that we see at the Palace today.

A classical stone building facade with a statue on a pedestal, surrounded by well-manicured gardens, with greenery and architectural details, architecture by Nick Cox Architects

Classical building with columns, statues, and a tower, illuminated by sunlight, with a gravel foreground and cloudy sky, architecture by Nick Cox Architects.

Ornate interior with marble archway, crest, classical statues, elaborate ceiling murals, decorated walls, and warm lighting. Architecture by Nick Cox Architects.

Close-up of detailed stone architectural mouldings, with varying textures and colours; architecture by Nick Cox Architects.

Ceiling with multiple ornate framed eyes in gold and blue, arranged symmetrically, with intricate decorative elements, by Nick Cox Architects.

18 PRINT 034 A9619 1023 Nick Cox Architects Blenheim Palace photographed by professional photographer Andrew Ogilvy Photography

Elegant interior room with ornate ceiling, historic portraits, tapestry, green upholstered furniture, and a fireplace, architecture by Nick Cox Architects.

Classical interior with stone columns and a marble statue of a woman, architecture by Nick Cox Architects.

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Site terms

Design & build by Modern Activity