In October of 2018, authorities had ordered the renovation of the Vanburgh Bridge or famously known as the Grand Bridge, which is a major part of the Blenheim Palace Estate in Oxfordshire, England.

The Blenheim Palace is considered to be the finest view in England. But when the renovation started, workers discovered something that was never known about the palace for hundreds of years.

After investing £12 million to improve the condition of the bridge, what the experts discovered left them speechless and they were taken aback that such a huge secret was hidden from the public for so long.

Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace has been the birthplace of Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955. The palace holds a lot of significance in terms of the history of England.

Built

The Palace was built in the early 18th century when the French emerged victorious in the war of the Spanish Succession that continued from 1701 to 1714 for the question as to who would succeed Charles II as the king of the country. 

A Gift

The palace was a gift to John Churchill who was the first Duke of Marlborough. Queen Anne had granted John Churchill’s family the royal manor to commemorate Churchill’s achievements as he was the commander to have led the Allied Forces in the battle of Blenheim in 1704.

Exception

The Blenheim Palace is the only palace in England which belongs to a non-royal family and still holds the title of being a Palace. But what it holds as a hidden treasure is something not even the family living there knew about. 

Idea Of The Bridge

The Grand Bridge, also known as the Vanbrugh Bridge was not just built as any other normal bridge. It was planned and intended to be built as something much more than just a bridge in the estate of Blenheim. 

Designer

The bridge was thought of, planned and designed all by Sir John Vanbrugh in 1708 and the work finished in 1710. But little did Sir John Vanbrugh know what was to happen to him next after he had planned the bridge.