We've won the 'Responsible Tourism' Award

Blenheim Palace has won the Responsible, Ethical and Sustainable Tourism Award at the Beautiful South Awards for Excellence. We were awarded the title at the ceremony which took place at the Grand Hotel in Brighton on Wednesday 5th December. The Awards are run by Tourism South East to recognise and celebrate excellence in the industry.

Our Sustainability Advisor, Jacqueline Gibson, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to have won this award.

“Blenheim is implementing a hugely ambitious programme which looks at every single aspect of the Estate to see how it can become more sustainable and more ethical,” she added.

Blenheim has committed to becoming a net generator of green energy within 10 years as part of a series of ambitious sustainability goals. As well as implementing wide-ranging energy-saving programmes across the Estate, they have invested extensively in photovoltaic panels, biomass boilers and hydroelectric turbines.

We've also taken delivery of its first electric van alongside new electric cars, introduced a recycling compactor on site. Eighty per cent of all food sold on site comes from within a 50-mile radius and more than 60 per cent of Blenheim’s total spend is done within 20 miles of the Estate. Plastic straws have been replaced with paper ones in all their eateries, no plastic water bottles are being sold on site and all Blenheim water is only available in glass bottles – which are made up of 80% recycled glass.

The cafés have invested in crockery cups which has resulted in a 50% reduction in the use of disposable coffee cups Take-away cutlery is made by Veg-ware, a 100% natural and biodegradable product, and no polystyrene take away containers are available on the Estate. All the heavy-duty bin liners across all office and working areas are 100% natural and biodegradable and Blenheim Palace has also introduced reusable, locally-sourced cups and bags for life, made from jute, in their retail outlets.

Blenheim Palace also won Silver in the International / Inbound Visitor Experience of the Year Award category.