Blenheim Palace and Cotswolds in one day??

Our first trip, we did Blenheim in the morning and then went to Bourton-on-the-water and walked from Lower Slaughter to Upper Slaughter. It was a busy day. We were at Blenheim when it opened and only saw the house. In 2014, we went back and spent a whole day at Blenheim (got there when they opened and left about 5:00 PM. ) We spent time enjoying the house, having tea and scones in the small restaurant in the house, walked all the gardens, rode a train, and visited a kid's area. We saw everything! I think with your schedule, you will need to see either the house or the gardens. (or skip it and just enjoy the day in the Cotswolds) I will say that on both trips, we had more than one day in the Cotswolds. If you only have this one day, I would skip Blenheim.

It certainly is difficult to do both and enjoy. I would choose. I have done both but not in same day. Try not to over book yourselves, it just causes fatique and the magic gets lost in the haste. I woulsd skip Blenham for,another time.

I would strongly suggest giving yourself more then one day in the Cotswolds. Blenheim is well worth a visit, to see it all would take several hours.

I agree with the others. Pick one or the other. You just don't have time for both. We spent a whole week in the Cotswolds and didn't have time to see everything we wanted to.

Why bother going to Bourton-on-the-water if you're going to arrive in the late afternoon/early evening and then leave in the morning to travel to Derby? Why not tour Blenheim properly and then drive straight to Derby from there?

Thank you for all of your replies, I appreciate it very much! At this point I think we may end up skipping Blenheim so we can spend the day visiting the Cotswolds area. We do tend to travel at a quick pace, for better or for worse, but I do think I have to pick one or the other here.

Still mulling it over...I'll add all of your advice and experience to the mix and see what happens! Thanks again!

Sorry...meant to answer JC's question as well. I definitely want to see at least part of the Cotswolds so that is why the stay in Bourton-on-the-water. My original intent was maybe 2 hours or so at Blenheim then on to the Cotswolds drive (roughly the one in Rick's book that he calls the Cotswolds "blitz"), landing in Bourton-on-the-water, with a nice drive over to the Derby area the next day, seeing Kenilworth Castle and going through Coventry on the way. Once I realized how large Blenheim was then I saw my plan begin to crack!

Thanks, Keith!! Yes, we are seeing Castle Howard and Chatsworth as we work our way up to Scotland. I think that settles it - appreciate all the advice!

Blenham is full of history so take the guided tour, enjoy lunch and admire the gardens. Churchill was born there so there is a big display of letters to his father from Harrow school and water colours that he did for a series of Hallmark American cards/Christmas cards via his good connections with General and the President Dwight D Eisenhower. Not to be missed!!

You need at least three hours at Blenheim. We only had two hours there last August. We had a driver waiting for us, so we couldn't spend more time. We were disappointed, as Blenheim was absolutely gorgeous. The grounds are spectacular. We also spent 8 nights in the Cotswold's.

If you are visiting Castle Howard and Chatsworth House, skip Blenheim this time. Use your time when in Bourton on Water to do the relatively short walk to Upper and Lower Slaughter. Lovely walk, stunning destination. Have a nice cuppa and a slice Victoria sponge in the old mill tea house.

We spent between 2-3 hours are Blenheim, but a partial day in the Cotswolds won't do it justice. For the little time you'd spend in the Cotswolds, go to Blenheim then head straight to Derby.