Sustainability

With over a 300-year-old history boasting world-famous landscapes, it is our duty to preserve, protect and share the precious natural habitats and species that thrive across our estate for future generations.

We are committed to minimising our environmental impact while enhancing our socioeconomic impact, through our 10 key long-term sustainability goals, one of which is to become a net generator of Green Energy by 2027.

The below provides a snapshot of the range of green innovations and environmental designations we have adopted through the years, as we continue to preserve Blenheim for centuries to come…

Visitor Charter

Sustainability Policies

Sustainability Policies

We aim to reduce our impact on the environment, stimulate the local economy and support local communities through all our activities.

Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy

By 2027, we aim to become a net generator of green energy using bio, solar and hydropower.

Environmental Stewardship

Environmental Stewardship

Almost 6,000 acres of our Estate are managed under of one of country's largest, most diverse Environmental Stewardship Agreements.

2018

Introduced a fleet of green Electrical Vehicles across the estate and made the switch to sourcing all energy from renewable sources.

2017

Appointed a Sustainability Advisor to drive further sustainable practices and published our sustainability policies online.

2016

Waste was further segregated into 5 streams (7 to date) and sent to local recycling contactors (to date 93% of waste is diverted from landfill).

2015

Invested in renewable energy technologies such as two biomass boilers, solar PV array and hydropower to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

2014

Made a commitment to buy local and began to support local SMEs (to date 87% of spend lies within 25 miles of the Palace).

2013

Installed water saving devices across our antiquated Victorian water network (IR taps, dual flush taps, leak detection systems).

2012

Uploaded bus & train timetables on the website and offered a discount for visitors to promote sustainable transport.

2011

Started substituting lighting across the Palace to energy efficient lighting (to date 3/4 of lighting is now LED).

2010

Started recycling across the Estate and sent food waste to a local anaerobic digester to generate renewable energy.

UNESCO status

Awarded a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Outstanding Universal Value, we are successfully managing the impacts of climate change by the way we are conserving and managing the park landscape, consisting Europe’s largest collection of veteran Oak trees.

Green Tourism Gold Award

We were assessed against ten sustainability-related categories including our carbon footprint, waste management, ethical and local purchasing, water conservation and sustainable transport. We achieved a score of 88% putting us in the top 8% of global participants.