Churchill's birthplace undergoes deep clean: Experts get to work sprucing up Blenheim Palace ahead of £10.4million project to restore roof
The birthplace of Winston Churchill is undergoing its annual deep clean - and there are dozens of busts to buff up.
The maintenance at the magnificent Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire is set to take up to two months.
It is being carried out ahead of a £10.4million restoration of the roof of the home, which has been the family seat of the dukes of Marlborough since construction was completed in 1722.
Sir Winston, whose uncle was 8th Duke, was born at the property on November 30, 1874.
The deep clean process includes everything from the 19 chandeliers, 18 clocks, 11,000 books, more than 1,000 pieces of silverware, Boulle furniture, 38 pieces of armour, 40 busts and sculptures, and several priceless tapestries.
This month, the cleaning of the plaster and gilded work on all ceilings is being prioritised.
The birthplace of Winston Churchill is undergoing its annual deep clean - and there are 40 busts to buff up. The maintenance at the magnificent Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire is set to take up to two months
The work at Blenheim is being carried out ahead of a £10.4million restoration of the roof of the home, which has been the family seat of the dukes of Marlborough since construction was completed in 1722
The expert team will also be monitoring and recording any existing damage.
They are using natural cleaning products, distilled water and natural bristle brushes during the work.
Each room will have to first be carefully stripped of all its furniture and artefacts.
Kate Ballenger, keeper of palace and collections at Blenheim, said: 'Every year this is an enormous undertaking that, once complete, is the most satisfying feeling for the whole team of specialists that come together.
'Whilst it's always a mammoth task, this year, we have a smaller window of time to complete our vital deep clean, ahead of the start of the roof restoration project.'
Blenheim, which is still the home of the current 12th Duke of Marlborough, first opened its doors to the public 75 years ago, to raise funds for essential roof repairs.
The latest project is the most significant in the building's history.
Later this year, visitors to Blenheim will be able to get a stunning view of the building and surrounding countryside from a platform on the structure's roof.
Sir Winston, whose uncle was 8th Duke, was born at Blenheim on November 30, 1874. Above: Outside Downing Street in 1943, as a school boy at Harrow, 1888
The deep clean process includes everything from the 19 chandeliers, 18 clocks, 11,000 books, more than 1,000 pieces of silverware, Boulle furniture, 38 pieces of armour, 40 busts and sculptures, and several priceless tapestries
A member of staff tends to a decorative plate at Blenheim. The deep clean could take up to two months
The team are using natural cleaning products, distilled water and natural bristle brushes during the work
Set in more than 2,000 acres of landscaped parkland, Blenheim has 187 rooms, making it one of the largest country houses in Britain.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site was built as a gift to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, from Queen Anne, as a token of gratitude for his victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704.
The roof project comes after workers completed a multi-million-pound scheme in November 2023 to dredge 500,000 tonnes of silt and restore the man-made lake at Blenheim.
The dredging project was launched in order to save the 'finest view in England' which was at risk of disappearing within five years.
The Queen Pool lake at Blenheim Palace has enchanted countless people since it was built by Capability Brown in 1763.
