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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.
SAVE THE DATE
Thursday 2nd July, 6.30pm
Kimbolton Castle, Cambridgeshire, PE28 0EA
The idyllic setting of Kimbolton Castle provides the perfect backdrop for Dr Simon Thurley CBE to speak about his life-long fascination with Vanbrugh. A former pupil of Kimbolton school (which has occupied the Castle since 1950), today Simon is a distinguished historian and heritage leader. He is currently serving as Chair of the Delivery Authority for the Restoration and Renewal of the Houses of Parliament, and from 2002 to 2015, he was Chief Executive of English Heritage, where he was responsible for the National Heritage Collection of 420 sites.
Inspired by Vanbrugh whilst studying at his alma mater, Simon will present the story of the Great Rebuilding, when Vanbrugh and his then assistant Nicholas Hawksmoor (c.1661-1736), were called in by Charles Edward Montagu (1662-1722), the 4th Earl, to redesign the whole of the Castle’s South Front. It is a tale worthy of one of his plays. Not content with the initial commission, Vanbrugh used his considerable charm to persuade the Earl to let him re-face the other three sides of the Castle in a similar style. Vanbrugh’s main State Room was the Saloon, with, on one side, the State Bedchamber (now the Headmaster’s study) and its adjoining Boudoir, on the site of Katharine of Aragon’s rooms (Henry VIII’s former wife lived the remainder of her life here until her death in 1536), and, on the other side, the Green Drawing Room. Work was also carried out on the Chapel and the Main Staircase. Did Vanbrugh design the portico on the east side of the Castle? Dr Thurley may have the answer.
Tickets are FREE but must be reserved on a first come, first served basis. The link to sign up will be available shortly.
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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.