Today was anything but a slow Sunday. We boarded the bus at 9:00 a.m. and set off on an hour-and-a-half ride from Birmingham to Blenheim Palace. I had heard the name before, but I didn’t realize just how grand and historic it would be. Blenheim Palace is the residence of the Churchill family, and from the moment we arrived, it felt like we were stepping into a movie set.
Our tour guide, Tom, met us outside and began walking us through the palace. Every room we entered felt more extravagant than the last. There were massive paintings on the walls, intricate details in every corner, and ceilings covered in gold that seemed to glow in the sunlight. It was hard to imagine that people actually lived in a place like this. There was no wasted space and no plain walls anywhere, it was constant beauty and detail in every direction.
One of my favorite rooms was the room where Winston Churchill was born. I didn’t know much about his personal life before this visit, so learning that he was also a painter was really surprising. The room displayed several paintings he created, and they were genuinely impressive. It added such a personal layer to someone I had only thought of as a historical figure. We also visited the chapel where members of the Churchill family are buried. The architecture and craftsmanship were stunning, and the space felt peaceful and reflective.
After exploring inside, we walked the grounds behind the palace. The outdoor scenery was just as breathtaking as the interior. Dr. Marks pointed us toward the secret garden, which turned out to be one of my favorite parts of the visit. It was quiet, calm, and filled with greenery and flowers. It felt like a hidden escape from the grandeur of the palace. I also loved seeing people casually walking their dogs along the paths, it made the space feel alive and part of everyday life rather than just a historic landmark.
After leaving Blenheim Palace, we drove about twenty minutes to the University of Oxford. I had been looking forward to this part of the day, and it completely lived up to my expectations. Oxford felt magical. Our first stop was a famous chocolate shop where we picked up souvenirs, which was a fun way to start exploring the city. After that, we grabbed lunch at a café in the city center. I ordered a chicken pesto baguette, and it was so good. I also grabbed a latte from Pret, which I honestly liked much more than Starbucks.
We met back up with the group and began our official tour of the university. Since Tom is an Oxford alumnus, he had so many stories and fun facts to share. I didn’t realize how large Oxford actually is; it isn’t just one campus but a collection of many different colleges, each with its own history and personality. Everywhere I looked, there was another beautiful building surrounded by flowers and greenery. The architecture felt consistent and timeless, which made the entire city feel cohesive and historic.
Walking through Oxford felt surreal. I kept thinking about how many famous people have studied there over the years. Authors like C.S. Lewis and Oscar Wilde attended Oxford, as well as actor Hugh Grant and many other notable figures. It was inspiring to imagine walking the same paths as so many influential people. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to attend a university with that much history and tradition.
I honestly wish we had more time to explore Oxford because there was so much to see. Every street seemed to lead to another beautiful building or hidden corner, and it felt like we only scratched the surface. Even so, I’m so grateful we got to experience it.
Tonight, Cameron Meredith and I are heading out to dinner along the canal to celebrate Meredith’s 19th birthday (happy birthday, Meredith!) It will be a fun way to relax after such a full and exciting day. After dinner, we’ll be working on finalizing our presentations for tomorrow’s conference, which is both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. Wish us luck!