This May half term, the activities feature play zones, special character appearances, and food events – offering entertainment for both children and adults.

A key highlight is the Adventure Play attraction in the Walled Garden, the biggest family-themed attraction in the Palace’s history, featuring secret chambers, rope bridges, and water jets.

Visitors can also take part in the Pip and Posy Rainbow Treasure Hunt, inspired by the popular children’s TV series.

Costumed characters of Pip and Posy will be meeting young fans on May 30 and 31.

The programme also includes the Blenheim Palace Food Festival, which runs from May 23 to 25 and features a fantastic line-up of celebrity chefs and experts, and amazing food and drink from gourmet delights to vibrant street food.

Families can ride Winston the mini train to the Walled Garden, explore the Marlborough Maze, and enjoy pizza at the Walled Garden Pizzeria.

The Blueprints of Power exhibition is open until May 31.

The exhibition explores the life and legacy of architect and playwright Sir John Vanbrugh.

Access to the Palace and Food Festival are included with a valid Pass or Park & Gardens Day Ticket.

A Palace and Play Pass grants access to both Blenheim Palace and Adventure Play for a full year as well as many events including the Food Festival and Flower Show.

The pass costs £165 for a family of four.

For full details and booking information, visit www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/may-half-term.

Visitors flocked to Witney over the bank holiday weekend for the farm’s Spring Back in Time History Day.

It was a day packed with immersive and hands-on fun, which celebrated the 1,000 years of history at Cogges.

Families enjoyed the mighty 18th-century steam engines and dancing from the 17th-century dance and music group, Vale Islanders.

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Over 1,000 years of history celebrated at Cogges Manor Farm. (Image: Cereta Drewett)

Family-based group Hwitmearum brought to life the medieval period on the Dairy Lawn, while there was ancient Candle Making and demos of 17th and 18th-century sail making.

Over in the Manor House, visitors were grinding grain and making bread, taking part in Victorian Wash Day, and seeing how butter was made hundreds of years ago.

Guests also learnt to lay a table for dinner in Victorian times, took part in guided history tours, and learnt about the Bayeux Tapestry and its connection to Cogges.

The day brought together the local community and visitors to Witney from other parts of the UK and from across the globe.

General manager Guy Reed said: “Spring Back in Time brought to life the fascinating 1,000 years of history here at Cogges Manor Farm.

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Over 1,000 years of history celebrated at Cogges Manor Farm. (Image: Cereta Drewett)

“We love bringing the community together, and it’s events like these that help us as an independent heritage charity to keep going.”

The historic farmstead and manor house on the edge of Witney runs as a family‑friendly heritage attraction with animals, gardens and seasonal events.

Listed in the Domesday Book and with a rich history, Cogges was turned into a farm museum by Oxfordshire County Council in the 1970s.

It has been operated by an independent charitable trust since its reopening in 2011.

The Black Prince in Manor Road in Woodstock dates back to the 16th century.

Sitting opposite the grounds of Blenheim Palace on the banks of the River Glyme, the spot has always boasted a stunning riverside garden.

The watering hole shut in June of 2023, after the business was sold with the new owners closing the pub for the “foreseeable future”.

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The Black Prince pub in 2026. (Image: Newsquest)

An announcement from The Black Prince at the time said it believed it would reopen again at some point in the future, but this was not a certainty.

“We are all very shocked and saddened that our journey together must come to an end, and would like to say thank you to everyone who has ever been in to visit us,” said a pub spokesperson three years ago.

“It’s the community that made us as popular as we are, and we share the sadness of the community in this news.

“If we have given you great food, great service and made you feel welcomed, then we have done our jobs. We were never just a pub. We were a home to many people.

“To all our customers, with two legs or four, we can only say you have all been wonderful and have given us many happy memories.

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Inside The Black Prince, when it was previously open.

“You will be missed beyond measure. We hope to see as many of you as possible before the doors close, the chairs are put up, and the candles blown out for one final time.”

The Black Prince is set to reopen in spring 2027. (Image: Google Maps)

Now, the pub is being renovated with an opening date set for 2027, and a new website has been launched.

Frequently asked questions are listed there with answers provided to locals about what kind of guise the pub will return in.

A statement said: “Building works are scheduled to start in 2026, subject to planning approval and conditions, with careful planning to minimise disruption to the local community.

“We anticipate that the pub will be fully renovated and the extension completed in time for a spring 2027 opening.

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The Black Prince pub in 2026. (Image: Newsquest)

“This timeline allows for high-quality construction, landscaping, and commissioning, ensuring that the pub and its facilities are ready to welcome residents and visitors safely and comfortably.”

One question raised was whether the renovated pub and hotel rooms would be expensive and aimed only at high-end visitors.

A pub spokesperson said: “No – affordability is central to our approach.

“The pub will continue to offer reasonably priced food and drink so that it remains accessible to local residents as well as visitors.

“The focus is on good-quality, seasonal produce at fair prices, not exclusivity. In the same way, the hotel rooms will be priced competitively within the local market, offering comfortable accommodation that is welcoming to a wide range of guests.

“This approach not only ensures the pub remains a genuine community venue, but also supports local tourism by attracting visitors who contribute to Woodstock’s wider economy, benefiting nearby shops, cafés, and services.”