The design, drawn up in 1705 by architect Sir John Vanbrugh, was intended for the site now occupied by the Orangery at the Oxfordshire palace.

Vanbrugh’s early 18th-century sketches reveal that the area near the Flagstaff Gate was meant to become a ‘thermae’ bathing house for the Duke of Marlborough, but the plan was ultimately abandoned due to high engineering costs.

The plans were discovered by archivists and the Built Heritage team at Blenheim.

Kelly O’Driscoll, head of built heritage at Blenheim Palace, said: “During our vital restoration project, we’ve been closely examining the original plans for the Palace and were intrigued to make this discovery.

“Rome was the birthplace of the Baroque style, and Baroque artists and patrons drew heavily on Ancient Roman grandeur, so it stands to reason that the Duke and Vanbrugh would have discussed the idea of a Roman bath.

“Sadly, the cost to install the heating and plumbing required proved to be too much even for someone of the Duke of Marlborough’s standing.

“What we do have instead, however, is the stunning Orangery, which is still enjoyed today by thousands of visitors.”

Sir John Vanbrugh’s legacy is currently being celebrated at Blenheim Palace in the Blueprints of Power exhibition, part of the nationwide Vanbrugh300 campaign.

The exhibition, which has been extended to May 31, offers visitors an interactive exploration of Vanbrugh’s life and work.

Tickets and further details can be found at www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/blueprints-of-power.html.

The 41st edition of the event, held in Grove on Sunday, March 29, saw 515 finishers racing in largely favourable conditions, despite a moderate breeze in the latter half of the race.

James Ellis from Abingdon AC claimed the top spot overall with a time of 1 hour, 9 minutes, and 11 seconds.

He maintained a lead from the start and gradually pulled away from the pack, finishing more than a minute ahead of second-placed James Davis from Dacorum AC.

Previous race winner Matthew Lock from Witney Road Runners finished third.

In the women’s race, Natasha Roebuck, from Witney Road Runners, took the title with a time of 1 hour, 22 minutes, and 26 seconds.

Her teammate Isabel Stubbs secured second, with Lieben Dickens, also from Headington Road Runners, in third.

The men’s team prize was granted to Witney Road Runners, with a squad consisting of Matthew Lock, Dan Blake, Jack Gavin, and Paul Taylor, who outperformed teams from Abingdon AC and Woodstock Harriers.

The women’s team from Witney Road Runners, including Natasha Roebuck, Isabel Stubbs, and Lauren Beedie, won the top prize for the third consecutive year.

Their B team finished second, followed by Headington Road Runners in third.

Gwenllian (Gwen) Bullock turned 100 on March 21 and celebrated it with a surprise party with family at The Bear Hotel in Woodstock.

Coming from humble beginnings having been born in Penarth, Cardiff, Mrs Bullock passed her 11 plus examination and went on to win a scholarship to the local grammar school where she was top of her year group.

When the Second World War hit, she decided not to pursue academic studies and wanted to help her family and local neighbourhood instead and worked in a small convenience store and volunteered as a Red Cross Nurse. 

Gwenllian (Gwen) Bullock turned 100 on March 21, 2026 (Image: Family handout)

The tale of how Mrs Bullock and her late husband Doug met is a strikingly similar love story to the Welsh sitcom characters Gavin and Stacey. 

Doug, originally from Essex, was stationed in Barry Island during WW2.

In his role as Regimental Sergeant Major, she first spotted him training the troops along the promenade.

A few weeks later, they had their very own meet in a coffee shop before marrying a year later.

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They stayed in Cardiff during the war, while Doug was preparing the men for battle.

They went on to have a daughter Sandra, then after the war moved to Essex and had a son Paul.

Mrs Bullock became homesick so they moved back to Cardiff, but in the 1950s they followed her family to live in Oxfordshire.

She ended up in Woodstock, her home for the past 29 years and a familiar face among residents.

Gwenllian (Gwen) Bullock turned 100 on March 21, 2026 (Image: Family handout)

Her family said: “She has a remarkable memory and often reflects to her grandchildren about the time Cardiff was heavily bombed.

“One particular recollection was the day she went home for lunch to her grandparent’s house in Cardiff to find the row of terraced houses flattened by a shower of bombs and their Welsh dresser miraculously still standing upright, porcelain jugs amazingly still intact.

“Gwen panicked, thinking her family had been killed. She raced to the Cardiff City Hall with the local priest to check the name list of the missing people.

“On route home, the train came to a sudden halt as the line had been bombed. They were evacuated off the train, where she befriended two other girls from a nearby carriage and they decided against staying in the station as they were eager to get home.

“Dodging further bombs being dropped ahead on the way back, Gwen safely arrived on her Parent’s street, neighbours on doorsteps on the lookout for her.

“Much to her relief, she found out that her grandparents had a narrow escape, travelling into the Welsh Valleys spontaneously that day to visit relations.

“This is just one of the amazing anecdotes that Gwen shares of her first-hand experience of WW2.”