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Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. Vanbrugh 300 is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to develop a nationwide project that aims to broaden the awareness of Vanbrugh through special displays, free education programmes and lectures, throughout his tercentenary year in 2026.
!!DATE TO BE CONFIRMED!!
Castle Howard, Yorkshire, YO60 7DA
Please join us for an evening lecture with Nick Howard and Charles Saumarez Smith to discuss Sir John Vanbrugh at Castle Howard, exploring personal perspective and what it is like living with Vanbrugh.
Born and brought up at Castle Howard, Nick Howard has been absorbing its unique aesthetic for his whole life. As a photographer he’s had the pleasure and the privilege of making images which express that aesthetic, and, with each click of the shutter has moved a fraction closer to the mind of the man who created it, John Vanbrugh.
Sir Charles Saumarez Smith is a British cultural historian specialising in the history of art, design and architecture. He was the Secretary and Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Arts in London from 2007 until he stepped down in 2018. He was previously director of the National Portrait Gallery from 1994 to 2002 and director of the National Gallery from 2002 to 2007. He has published various articles and books, his latest book John Vanbrugh: The Drama of Architecture is published by Lund Humphries. Sir Charles has delivered a number of lectures on Vanbrugh and is a member of the festival’s Steering Group. He has also curated the Sir John Soane’s Museum’s exhibition, Vanbrugh: The Drama of Architecture, running from 4 March to 28 June 2026.
Tickets are FREE but must be reserved on a first come, first served basis. The link to sign up will be available shortly.
This nationwide series of VANBRUGH300 lectures, held across the great houses designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, has been generously supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with The Georgian Group.