A 'headless horseman' has made a flying visit to Blenheim Palace ahead of the site's Halloween extravaganza later this month.

However, the view from the palace's Woodstock Gate, described by Lord Randolph Churchill, the father of Sir Winston Churchill, as "the finest view in England," was "wasted" on the horseman.

Lord Churchill's wife, who was pregnant with Sir Winston at the time and later gave birth to him at the palace, said: "As we passed through the entrance archway and the lovely scenery burst upon me, Randolph said with pardonable pride: 'This is the finest view in England'."

The headless horseman visited Blenheim Palace and nearby WoodstockThe headless horseman visited Blenheim Palace and nearby Woodstock (Image: Ben Stevens Photography) The headless horseman visited Blenheim Palace and nearby WoodstockThe headless horseman visited Blenheim Palace and nearby Woodstock (Image: Ben Stevens Photography) The view encompasses the Queen Pool, Vanbrugh Bridge, parkland, and the 18th-century palace.

The palace, which has been home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705, is one of 27 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the UK and among around 1,000 locations globally.