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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.
We are thrilled to bring you exclusive insight from Blenheim Palace’s Carmen Alvarez, Collections and Conservation Manager, and Isabelle Thom, Deputy Collections Manager. Drawing on previously unseen archive material, they share the fascinating story behind Vanbrugh’s time at Blenheim Palace, a period marked not only by his signature architectural drama but also by the personal and professional conflicts that shaped his work. From fiery exchanges with the Duchess to the challenges of royal patronage, this exhibition reveals the triumphs, tensions, and untold stories that defined one of Vanbrugh’s most ambitious projects:
“This exhibition has allowed us to give our visitors a glimpse into a fascinating period of Vanbrugh's career. It is not only the architecture of Blenheim Palace that is steeped in his signature drama and theatricality; so were the dynamics behind the scenes. With royal patronage and creative differences raising the stakes, Vanbrugh was uniquely challenged at Blenheim, providing our team with a story to tell worthy of one of Vanbrugh's own plays.
The imposing architecture of the Palace speaks volumes for Vanbrugh's creative talents, but through this exhibition we have been able to dig deeper into the personal disputes and professional disagreements that eventually drove the architect away from his project, well before its completion.
It has been fascinating to delve into the life of this intriguing figure, using previously unseen archive material, including Vanbrugh's early plans for Blenheim and the fiery exchanges between him and its Duchess. Letters between Vanbrugh, the Duke and the Duchess show the upheaval caused by their disagreements, and their impact on a project intended to be a monument to British military triumph, marred by spiralling costs and hostility. This correspondence is revealing, exposing Vanbrugh's belief in the project, his views on the sanctity of preserving history and his conviction in his own designs. Visitors will be able to witness the political and professional tightrope walked by Vanbrugh during the Blenheim construction as he navigated the pitfalls of close collaboration with aristocrats and the monarchy.
We are delighted to be able to invite visitors into this chapter of Vanbrugh's life, where he faced triumphs and challenges unlike any other."
