Blenheim Palace

Winston Churchill's birthplace and Britain's only non-royal palace stands on 2,100 acres of landscaped parkland designed by Capability Brown. The Baroque palace houses state rooms, Churchill exhibitions, and formal gardens that took 20 years to complete. It sits in Oxford's Woodstock, close to the other main sights. It ranks among Oxford's most visited sights, and for good reason - most itineraries include it on day one. Tickets cost £28 adult, £16 child (palace and gardens), £19 park and gardens only and half day to full day is enough to see everything without rushing.

Priority: High - do not skip Time needed: Half day to full day Best for: walk through the rooms where winston churchill Skip if: You're on a tight budget or not interested in aristocratic history Cost: £28 adult, £16 child (palace and gardens), £19 park and gardens only

You climb the Grand Staircase beneath painted ceilings before entering Churchill's birth room, preserved as it was in 1874. Outside, formal gardens stretch toward a lake where you can rent rowboats or walk the tree-lined paths that Churchill himself strolled.

Accessibility: Ground floor palace areas accessible, gardens partially accessible via main paths

Walk through the rooms where Winston Churchill was born and explore England's grandest palace. That puts it near the top of any Oxford visit, and it deserves the spot.

Skip if: You're on a tight budget or not interested in aristocratic history

• Take the miniature railway to the Pleasure Gardens.
• Free parking included in admission.
• Bring picnic for the grounds - cafes are expensive.

Insider tip: The secret door in the library leads to Churchill's private study, shown only on specialized tours

Interior photography restricted, exterior and gardens freely photographed