We arrived at Blenheim Palace just after opening on Monday, 16th September, and were surprised to find the car park almost full already. Fortunately, we were directed to the disabled parking area by a friendly ticket booth operator, which gave us some initial hope for a smooth visit.

Catching the mobility buggy to the front of the palace was one of the highlights of the day. The driver, although not wearing a visible name badge, was excellent. He provided useful information about upcoming activities, which made the short ride enjoyable.

However, that’s where the positive aspects of our visit ended.

Once inside, we found the staff ill-equipped to manage visitors with special needs. I was asked twice to remove my backpack and wear it on my front, even after explaining my balance issues. The first request came from a polite older gentleman, possibly mid-fifties with a grey beard, who insisted that my bag might damage the palace despite my explanation.

The second interaction was much worse. A younger woman, with what seemed like a French accent, approached me rather brusquely. After I again explained my need to wear my bag on my back for balance, she hurried off and returned with what seemed like “reinforcements” to deal with the so-called unruly visitor. It was humiliating and unnecessary.

The palace itself was a challenge for accessibility. The step-free access was poorly signposted, and it wasn’t immediately clear how to find the lift to enter the palace. The gardens, while beautiful, were difficult to navigate. The gravel slope leading to the lower gardens had no handrail, and there were also no handrails on the stone steps leading to the upper gardens, making it difficult and potentially dangerous for those with mobility issues.

To top it all off, the experience felt like a complete rip-off. The entrance fee of £38 was already steep, but we were then hit with extra charges for nearly everything else. It cost an additional £6 each to visit the "downstairs" and another £6 for the "upstairs." More micro-transactions awaited throughout the estate, including the buggy tour. It felt like we were being legally mugged at every turn.

In summary, Blenheim Palace may be a grand historical estate, but the way it caters (or rather, fails to cater) to people with special needs and the constant barrage of additional charges made it a disappointing and overpriced experience. Not worth the entry fee, let alone all the extras. 2 stars.