For Families & Communities

For Families

In 2026 a special Vanbrugh weekend will be held at each of the six heritage sites. There will be FREE performances and creative workshops for families scheduled across these weekends so come and join the fun! 

For Community Groups

Vanbrugh 300 aims to reach out to people who may have never visited a heritage site before. We will be running a number of community engagement projects and FREE activities at the different heritage sites in 2026, and will be inviting local community groups to come and join in the celebrations. If you are a community leader or member of a community group and would be interested in finding out more then do get in touch: vanbrugh300@georgiangroup.org.uk

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Family Workshops

Hats Off to Vanbrugh! Family Design Session

Become both architect and costume designer in this fun, hands-on session inspired by the life and work of Sir John Vanbrugh.

Drop in at any time and design your very own wearable work of architecture inspired by the design of his most famous sites across the UK. Working with a theatre designer and taking inspiration from Vanbrugh’s spectacular building, colourful life, and love of drama, families will create their own bold and imaginative hats. Think like an architect as you build a three-dimensional design that can be worn, displayed, and taken home.

From grand Baroque towers to theatrical flourishes fit for a Kit-Cat Club party, the only limit is your imagination. Bring your curiosity, creativity and a willingness to experiment.

Taking place during the Vanbrugh weekends at Seaton Delaval Hall, Blenheim Palace and Grimsthorpe Castle.

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BIG, BOLD & BAROQUE: A VANBRUGH ARCHITECTURE ADVENTURE

Step inside the bold, imaginative world of Sir John Vanbrugh - playwright, architect, soldier, spy and dreamer!

In this lively, hands-on family workshop, you’ll explore the extraordinary life and buildings of Sir John Vanbrugh through movement, imagination, and play. Discover how his palaces, castles and theatres were designed to feel dramatic, powerful and full of story - just like his plays. Bring his dramatic Baroque designs to life as you discover why Vanbrugh was the true rockstar of the English Baroque. Together, you’ll uncover the stories hidden in his buildings, explore how bold spaces shape our emotions and see architecture in a whole new way. Vanbrugh believed imagination could build anything - stories, buildings and ideas. In this workshop, families will discover that they can too.

Taking place during the Vanbrugh weekends at Blenheim Palace, Stowe House and Grimsthorpe Castle.