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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.
Kimbolton Castle
This event will include lively storyteller performances, along with creative workshops for families and community groups alike to drop-in and try their hand at any number of activities, from paper costume making, creating Vanbrugh style cardboard buildings or even the opportunity to share in a mini performance based on Vanbrugh's restoration comedies.
Wider events
To coincide with the publication of his book, John Vanbrugh: The Drama of Architecture, Charles Saumarez Smith will give a lunchtime talk on Vanbrugh’s extraordinary life
Blenheim Palace
Coming in 2026, our new exhibition Blueprints of Power will shine a light on Sir John Vanbrugh’s brilliant mind, his rivalries and ambitions and take visitors on an immersive visual experience through his early life and theatrics as playwright all the way to his high-stakes partnership with Sarah Churchill, first Duchess of Marlborough.
Wider events
300 years after his death, a major new exhibition exploring one of the UK’s greatest architects - Sir John Vanbrugh (1664–1726) – will open in the spring at Sir John Soane's Museum.
Wider events
A Celebration of the Life of Sir John Vanbrugh at St Stephen Walbrook.
Wider events
The Georgian Group's 2026 Symposium (in partnership with the Ax:son Johnson Centre for the Study of Classical Architecture) will be ‘Vanbrugh: From Stage to Stone‘.
Seaton Delaval Hall
This event will include lively storyteller performances, along with creative workshops for families and community groups alike to drop-in and try their hand at any number of activities, from paper costume making, creating Vanbrugh style cardboard buildings or even the opportunity to share in a mini performance based on Vanbrugh's restoration comedies.
Castle Howard
This event will include lively storyteller performances, along with creative workshops for families and community groups alike to drop-in and try their hand at any number of activities, from paper costume making, creating Vanbrugh style cardboard buildings or even the opportunity to share in a mini performance based on Vanbrugh's restoration comedies.
Grimsthorpe Castle
This event will include lively storyteller performances, along with creative workshops for families and community groups alike to drop-in and try their hand at any number of activities, from paper costume making, creating Vanbrugh style cardboard buildings or even the opportunity to share in a mini performance based on Vanbrugh's restoration comedies.
Stowe House
This event will include lively storyteller performances, along with creative workshops for families and community groups alike to drop-in and try their hand at any number of activities, from paper costume making, creating Vanbrugh style cardboard buildings or even the opportunity to share in a mini performance based on Vanbrugh's restoration comedies.