There are some days out where the main attraction is exactly what you remember. And there are others where what you went to see becomes just one part of a much bigger experience.
Madeleine Reece visited Blenheim Palace on behalf of B4 with her grandchildren to experience Dinosaurs Are Forever – and discovered that the dinosaurs were only part of what made it such a memorable family day out.
There was naturally plenty of excitement about seeing the spectacular life-size dinosaurs. Bringing together art, science and engineering, the exhibition provides a striking reminder of Oxfordshire’s remarkable place in the history of dinosaur discovery.
For younger visitors, however, you don’t necessarily need to know the scientific or historical background to appreciate them. Seeing dinosaurs brought to life on this scale in the grounds of Blenheim is impressive enough – and watching children encounter them adds another dimension to the experience.
But perhaps one of the nicest surprises of the day was just how much Madeline’s grandchildren enjoyed Blenheim itself.
The Palace, its history and the sheer scale and beauty of the grounds became as much a part of their adventure as the dinosaurs.
At a time when so much of children’s entertainment and attention is connected to a digital world, there was something genuinely refreshing about watching them become completely absorbed in their surroundings – exploring, asking questions, looking at things and simply enjoying being somewhere extraordinary.
No screens were required to make the experience exciting. Blenheim did that all by itself.
Walking through the Palace introduced another dimension to the day, while outside there is the wonderful sense of space that makes Blenheim such a good destination for families. You can explore, walk, discover and, importantly, spend proper time together without feeling as though you are simply moving from one attraction to the next.
Dinosaurs Are Forever provides a fantastic focal point and a compelling reason to visit, particularly for families with children or grandchildren. But it also provides the perfect opportunity to experience everything else Blenheim Palace has to offer.
For Madeline, that became one of the highlights of the visit.
What started as a trip with her grandchildren to see the dinosaurs became a day enjoying history, architecture, gardens, open space and each other’s company. Seeing them engage so enthusiastically with the Palace and grounds was every bit as memorable as their reaction to the dinosaurs themselves.
For anyone looking for a great family day out, Blenheim Palace offers that increasingly valuable combination of education, entertainment, discovery and time together.
The dinosaurs might get you through the gates.
Don’t be surprised if the rest of Blenheim becomes just as big a part of the memory.
Find out more: Dinosaurs Are Forever at Blenheim Palace