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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.

Learn more about the National Lottery Heritage Fund

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Media

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21st Feb 2026

Newsletter: Blueprints of Power at Blenheim Palace

This Vanbrugh300 newsletter launches a year-long exploration of Sir John Vanbrugh’s great houses, beginning with Blenheim Palace and its new exhibition, Blueprints of Power. The exhibition explores Vanbrugh’s genius, ambition, rivalries, and dramatic partnership with Sarah Churchill, 1st Duchess of Marlborough, combining immersive storytelling with rare archival material and costumes from The Favourite (2018).

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18th Feb 2026

Article: Kimbolton Students Explore Architectural Legacy

As a partner house of the Vanbrugh300 festival, Kimbolton is using its historic setting to inspire students to explore Sir John Vanbrugh’s architectural legacy. Through participation in the National Gallery’s Articulation Prize, pupils have researched, analysed and presented on Vanbrugh’s work and wider artistic themes, connecting national heritage with their own school environment.

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16th Feb 2026

Article: From Bastille to Blenheim

This extended article explores Vanbrugh’s creation of Blenheim, where his genius came with challenges of fierce rivalries, political intrigue and personal conflicts.

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14th Feb 2026

Exclusive Insight: Blueprints of Power at Blenheim Palace

Exclusive insight from Blenheim Palace’s Carmen Alvarez, Collections and Conservation Manager, and Isabelle Thom, Deputy Collections Manager on their new exhibition Blueprints of Power about Vanbrugh.

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11th Feb 2026

Podcast: Vanbrugh nominated on Great Lives

Caroline Quentin nominates Sir John Vanbrugh on Radio 4's Great Lives. Listen on BBC Sounds.

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9th Feb 2026

Article: Vanbrugh in the Times

An article in The Times recently covered Vanbrugh's Buildings as Theatre and an upcoming exhibition at the Sir John Soane Museum

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9th Feb 2026

Article: The Making of a Maverick

This extended article explores Vanbrugh’s early life, tracing his experiences as a maverick, soldier, spy, and prisoner, to reveal how these formative years helped shape one of Britain’s most distinctive architectural voices.

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7th Feb 2026

Newsletter: The Making of a Maverick

This Vanbrugh300 newsletter explores Sir John Vanbrugh’s early life and formative experiences through a feature article, introduces a new interactive timeline, highlights recent festival events and lectures on his plays, and shares updates and upcoming activities within the nationwide 2026 celebration programme.

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5th Feb 2026

Press Coverage: Cambridge Edition on Kimbolton

The Cambridge Edition recently covered Vanbrugh 300 in their February edition, highlighting Kimbolton Castle’s inclusion in its culture section.

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3rd Feb 2026

Episode: Countryfile Blenheim Estate

A Countryfile episode on the 'Blenheim Estate' highlights Vanbrugh’s vision for the palace and examines how the building is being conserved 300 years after its creation.

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26th Jan 2026

Article: A Genius of the First Class

To mark the tercentenary of Sir John Vanbrugh’s death, Charles Saumarez Smith considers the changing reactions to one of his greatest creation, Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.

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24th Jan 2026

Newsletter: Welcome to VANBRUGH300

The first Vanbrugh300 newsletter introduces the nationwide festival marking 300 years since Sir John Vanbrugh’s legacy, outlining his remarkable life as architect, playwright, and political figure, and previewing a year-long programme of exhibitions, events, and educational initiatives across six major houses.

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11th Dec 2025

Press Coverage: Kimbolton Castle to feature in Vanbrugh 300 celebration of architect’s work

Cambridge Network reports on Vanbrugh300.

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1st Dec 2025

Podcast: YPOM: Charles Saumarez Smith

Charles Saumarez Smith speaks to 'Your Places or Mine' and John Goodall on the architect John Vanburgh.

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26th Nov 2025

Lecture: John Vanbrugh: The Drama of Architecture

To coincide with the publication of his book, John Vanbrugh: The Drama of Architecture, Charles Saumarez Smith gave a lunchtime talk on Vanbrugh’s extraordinary life: his upbringing; why he spent so much time in a French gaol; the writing of The Relapse and The Provoked Wife; and how he came to design Castle Howard with no previous experience of architecture.

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20th Nov 2025

Podcast: Machine Books: Charles Saumarez Smith

Charles Saumarez Smith speaks to Machine Books about his latest fascination, the life and works of the great British baroque architect John Vanburgh.

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View across the Octagon Lake towards Vanbrugh's Lake Pavilions and Corinthian Arch ©National Trust Images Rod Edwards (1)
29th Oct 2025

Article: From curtain to cornice: The Genius of Sir John Vanbrugh

thedirt.news reports on Vanbrugh300.

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21st Oct 2025

Lecture: John Vanbrugh and the Art of Client Management

In this talk, Christine Stevenson investigates the ways in which Vanbrugh persuaded clients that boldness and unorthodoxy were the most economical routes to displays appropriate to their status.

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14th Oct 2025

Lecture: John Vanbrugh: The Critical Response

In this talk, Charles Saumarez Smith looks at changes to Vanbrugh's reputation ahead of his forthcoming book, John Vanbrugh: The Drama of Architecture.

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5th Aug 2025

Press Coverage: VANBRUGH300: A year-long celebration of England’s boldest Baroque architect

ianVisits reports on Vanbrugh300.

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