BLENHEIM PALACE HERITAGE FOUNDATION
Latest income
£31.0m
Latest spending
£27.8m
Registered
2016
Accounts read
FY2025
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that free reserves were in a negative position of £1.5m at 31 March 2025, primarily driven by an increase in designated funds for restoration projects exceeding the growth in unrestricted income. Despite this negative free reserve position, the Trustees and auditors confirm the Group has sufficient working capital and cash flows to meet liabilities as they fall due for at least one year, with no material uncertainty regarding its ability to continue as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
Reserves policy: £1m of free reserves for visitor business activities and other emergencies (held: £-1.5m)
“Given the regularity of income streams and the availability of funding from related entities within the Blenheim Estate we do not think it is necessary to hold more than £1m of free reserves for visitor business activities and other emergencies” — page 16
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Payments to trustees: Dominic Hare received remuneration from the Charity of £119,775 (2024: £66,905), of which £10,976 (2024: £5,969) was pension contributions and £7,622 (2024: £3,540) was in relation to private healthcare.
“The Charity Trustees were not paid from employment or receive material benefits with the Charity or its subsidiary in the year except for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dominic Hare, in his capacity as director and for his role as CEO.” — page 46
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Donation from Blenheim Supporting Limited
“In the year ended 31 March 2025 the Charity received a donation from Blenheim Supporting Limited of £2,696k (2024: £nil), Blenheim Supporting Limited is a related entity which donates its profits from land promotion to the Charity.” — page 48
“At the year end, the Charity was owed £10,444k by Blenheim Finance Limited (2024: £2,909k). An interest rate of 4.5% (2024: 5%) is charged on this balance and interest of £435k was earned during the year (2024: 836k).” — page 48
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Loan to Blenheim Finance Limited
“In the year ended 31 March 2025 the Charity received a donation from Blenheim Supporting Limited of £2,696k (2024: £nil), Blenheim Supporting Limited is a related entity which donates its profits from land promotion to the Charity.” — page 48
“At the year end, the Charity was owed £10,444k by Blenheim Finance Limited (2024: £2,909k). An interest rate of 4.5% (2024: 5%) is charged on this balance and interest of £435k was earned during the year (2024: 836k).” — page 48
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Borrowing from Blenheim Finance Limited
“In the year ended 31 March 2025 the Charity received a donation from Blenheim Supporting Limited of £2,696k (2024: £nil), Blenheim Supporting Limited is a related entity which donates its profits from land promotion to the Charity.” — page 48
“At the year end, the Charity was owed £10,444k by Blenheim Finance Limited (2024: £2,909k). An interest rate of 4.5% (2024: 5%) is charged on this balance and interest of £435k was earned during the year (2024: 836k).” — page 48
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Sales to CEO Dominic Hare
“In the year ended 31 March 2025 the Charity received a donation from Blenheim Supporting Limited of £2,696k (2024: £nil), Blenheim Supporting Limited is a related entity which donates its profits from land promotion to the Charity.” — page 48
“At the year end, the Charity was owed £10,444k by Blenheim Finance Limited (2024: £2,909k). An interest rate of 4.5% (2024: 5%) is charged on this balance and interest of £435k was earned during the year (2024: 836k).” — page 48
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Dominic Hare — CEO
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Total income
£31.0m
Total spending
£27.8m
Cost of raising funds
£11.4m
Reserves (reported)
£28.3m
Employees
538
Trustees
- CHRISTOPHER JONATHAN JAMES GROVES
- Dominic Hare
- LORD EDWARD SPENCER-CHURCHILL
- Richard Ellwood
- Sarah Elizabeth Staniforth
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £31.0m | £27.8m |
| 31/03/2024 | £28.9m | £26.8m |
| 31/03/2023 | £22.4m | £21.6m |
| 31/03/2022 | £27.2m | £17.6m |
| 31/03/2021 | £17.6m | £14.2m |
Common questions
Is BLENHEIM PALACE HERITAGE FOUNDATION financially healthy?
The accounts state that free reserves were in a negative position of £1.5m at 31 March 2025, primarily driven by an increase in designated funds for restoration projects exceeding the growth in unrestricted income. Despite this negative free reserve position, the Trustees and auditors confirm the Group has sufficient working capital and cash flows to meet liabilities as they fall due for at least one year, with no material uncertainty regarding its ability to continue as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by BDO LLP.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 02/04/2025 | £250k | "Protecting our Legacy: The Conservation of War and Peace" |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE VINEHILL TRUST | 1 | £1.1m |
| THE BANISTER CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £338k |
| NATIONAL ART COLLECTIONS FUND | 1 | £325k |
| THE ROTHSCHILD FOUNDATION | 1 | £300k |
| THE FOYLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £119k |
| THE WESTMINSTER FOUNDATION | 1 | £66k |
| THE MERCERS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £59k |
| ROCKCLIFFE CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £20k |