A special exhibition marking the 300th anniversary of the Battle of Blenheim has proved so popular that it is to be extended for a further three months.

The exhibition at Blenheim Palace, John Churchill – the Unorthodox Hero, illustrates the accomplishments of the general who led British troops to victory against Louis XIV at the Battle of Blenheim. It was originally supposed to close on 12 September, but having attracted more than 200,000 people to the palace since the exhibition opened on 29 May, organisers say it will now remain open until 12 December.

The chief executive of Blenheim Palace, John Hoy, said: “A survey we commissioned at the start of the year into our great heroes and their victories showed that seven out of eight people in Britain hadn’t heard of John Churchill, the military genius who led British troops to this historic victory.

“We set out to put this right by introducing the public to a great man who can truly be said to rival Britain’s other great military leaders – Nelson, Wellington and John Churchill’s own descendant, Winston Churchill.

“The fact that 200,000 people have visited the exhibition since May is very encouraging. It seems that there’s a real appetite out there for British History.”

Entrance to the exhibition is included in the admission fee to the palace. Details: www.blenheimpalace.com