Gadzooks! See Knights Jousting At Blenheim Palace This May

Last Updated 18 April 2024

Gadzooks! See Knights Jousting At Blenheim Palace This May
Two knights jousting
Blenheim Palace hosts a three-day jousting tournament. Image: Blenheim Palace

Forsooth! Gadzooks! And while we're at it... NI!

Each summer, Blenheim Palace winds the clock way back to a time of brave knights, noble steeds, and all sorts of other shenanigans that bring to mind King Arthur, round tables, and quite possibly Monty Python — courtesy of its annual Jousting Tournament.

Taking place on the first May bank holiday — Saturday 4 May-Monday 6 May 2024 — the Jousting Tournament is a feast of sugarcoated ye olde English hijinks (think archery, falconry, jester workshops and actors in smocks) as well as the main event, namely people dressed from head to toe in tin cans charging full pelt on horseback while pointing very long sticks at one another. It's high-octane stuff, although hopefully none of them will end up like this.

Knights of horseback
"'Tis But a Scratch". Image: Blenheim Palace

There's a British Sign Language (BSL) session on Sunday during the 3.30pm joust. All special events at Blenheim over the weekend are included in the ticket price of entry to the palace and grounds.

Blenheim Palace Jousting Tournament, 4-6 May 2024