What's on

Exhibition: Vanbrugh: The Drama of Architecture

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.

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20Mar

Castle Howard

This new exhibition introduces visitors to Sir John Vanbrugh – architect, playwright, soldier, spy. Each participating venue explores Vanbrugh’s life and work, as well as his relationship with his patron and the buildings he created at that site.

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25Mar

Seaton Delaval Hall

This new exhibition introduces visitors to Sir John Vanbrugh – architect, playwright, soldier, spy. Each participating venue explores Vanbrugh’s life and work, as well as his relationship with his patron and the buildings he created at that site.

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30Apr

Grimsthorpe Castle

This new exhibition introduces visitors to Sir John Vanbrugh – architect, playwright, soldier, spy. Each participating venue explores Vanbrugh’s life and work, as well as his relationship with his patron and the buildings he created at that site.

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23May

Playshapes: Castle Constructors

Castle Howard

To celebrate the 300th anniversary of Castle Howard, visitors are invited to experience architecture through play with Playshapes; Castle Constructors, an interactive artwork inspired by the bold imagination of Sir John Vanbrugh.

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09Jun

Wider events

Jeremy Musson, author of The Country Houses of Sir John Vanbrugh: From the Archives of Country Life, 2008, explores the nature of Vanbrugh’s great houses, shares his memories of his visits for his 2008 book, and reflects on Vanbrugh’s continuing reputation, and his continuing admiration for the inventive and compelling language of Vanbrugh’s letters on architecture.

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11Jun

Stowe House

One of a series of free lectures funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund with Ophelia Field and Rory Fraser exploring Vanbrugh’s lifelong ties to the Kit-Cat Club, revealing its influence on his career, politics and culture – and its lasting imprint on Stowe.

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11Jun

Grimsthorpe Castle

One of a series of lectures funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund taking place at Grimsthorpe Castle with Dr Amy Boyington.

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Library of the Four Winds (2) courtesy Es Devlin

13Jun

Installation: Library of the Four Winds

Castle Howard

A luminous new revolving artwork which takes over the Temple of the Four Winds, created by internationally renowned artist and designer Es Devlin.

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13Jun

Castle Howard

One of a series of free lectures funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund taking place at Castle Howard with Nick Howard, Es Devlin and Francis Terry.

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19Jun

In Conversation : Sir Charles Saumarez Smith CBE and Jeremy Musson

Grimsthorpe Castle

Grimsthorpe will be welcoming Sir Charles Saumarez Smith CBE and Jeremy Musson to Grimsthorpe this summer as part of VANBRUGH 300.

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David Valinsky Photography Grimsthorpe Hall-2

20Jun

Grimsthorpe Castle

Get ready for a weekend packed with creativity, imagination, and activities for all. Settle in for a lively storytelling performance, roll up your sleeves to make your own John Vanbrugh‑inspired wearable architecture, or explore the hidden stories in his buildings through movement and play in a fun, family‑friendly drama session.

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20Jun

Grimsthorpe Castle

Grimsthorpe are delighted to welcome England’s oldest student theatre company, the Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club, to celebrate the 300 year anniversary of playwright and architect Sir John Vanbrugh with a medley of his greatest scenes.

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25Jun

Vanbrugh at Chalke History Festival

Wider events

Join a panel of leading experts, Rory Fraser, Ophelia Field, Geoff Heath-Taylor and Charles Saumarez Smith for a special live recording of The Country House Podcast on Vanbrugh.

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29Jun

Stowe House

This new exhibition introduces visitors to Sir John Vanbrugh – architect, playwright, soldier, spy. Each participating venue explores Vanbrugh’s life and work, as well as his relationship with his patron and the buildings he created at that site.

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02Jul

Kimbolton Castle

One of a series of free lectures funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund taking place at Kimbolton Castle, as Simon Thurley discusses Sir John Vanbrugh

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07Jul

Kimbolton Castle

A curator‑led experience offering rare insight into one of Britain’s most imaginative architects, set within the historic interiors of Kimbolton Castle 7 - 9 July.

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08Jul

Wider events

Durham University will host a conference marking the tercentenary of Sir John Vanbrugh’s death, exploring his architecture and lasting influence in North East England.

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13Jul

Talk: Vanbrugh and 4th Earl of Manchester; Architect and Patron

Kimbolton Castle

As part of the Huntingdonshire History Festival and linking into Vanbrugh300, Castle Curator Andrew Bamford explores Sir John Vanbrugh’s creative relationship with Charles Montagu, uncovering how their partnership shaped Kimbolton Castle in a fascinating talk.

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01Aug

Stowe House

Get ready for a weekend packed with creativity, imagination, and activities for all. Settle in for a lively storytelling performance or explore the hidden stories in his buildings through movement and play in a fun, family‑friendly drama session. Whether you come with family, friends, or a community group, there’s something for every curious mind. Dive into a day full of laughter, discovery, and hands‑on adventure.

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17Sep

Talk: Vanbrugh’s Alterations and Additions to Stowe House

Stowe House

Francis Terry re-examines Sir John Vanbrugh’s contribution to Stowe House through a new series of reconstruction drawings.

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192256 (C) National Trust Images John Hammond

01Oct

Talk: Sandy Nairne, Sir Charles Saumarez Smith and Mark Newman

Seaton Delaval Hall

Introduced by Sandy Nairne, Vanbrugh scholar Sir Charles Saumarez Smith discusses Vanbrugh’s career and links to Seaton Delaval Hall. Archaeologist Mark Newman shares how investigations have provided insight into Vanbrugh’s involvement in the hall.

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04Oct

Kimbolton Castle

Visit Kimbolton Castle on one of only two open days each year. Enjoy a self-guided tour of the state rooms, including the Queen’s Room, where Katherine of Aragon died. Discover one of Sir John Vanbrugh’s lesser-known architectural gems, with a special exhibition exploring his connection to Charles Montagu, 4th Earl of Manchester.

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04Oct

Kimbolton Castle

This new exhibition introduces visitors to Sir John Vanbrugh – architect, playwright, soldier, spy. Each participating venue explores Vanbrugh’s life and work, as well as his relationship with his patron and the buildings he created at that site.

→

08Oct

Seaton Delaval Hall

One of a series of free lectures funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund taking place at Seaton Delaval Hall, as Annette Rubery and Nick Helm explore John Vanbrugh and the Queen’s Theatre in the Haymarket.

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15Oct

Talk: Sir John Vanbrugh and the Making of Stowe

Stowe House

Michael Bevington examines Sir John Vanbrugh’s work at Stowe and the landscape vision he helped to create.

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1276688©National Trust Images-John Hammond

15Oct

Talk: Rory Fraser on Vanbrugh

Seaton Delaval Hall

As playwright, soldier, spy and adventurer, Vanbrugh is one of the most colourful architects in English history, yet relatively little is known about him. Here Rory Fraser gives a sense of the character that lay behind his legendary facades.

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What's on

Exhibition: Vanbrugh: The Drama of Architecture

Exhibition: Staging the Baroque - Vanbrugh at Castle Howard

Exhibition: Vanbrugh Rockstar of the English Baroque

Exhibition: Vanbrugh Rockstar of the English Baroque

Playshapes: Castle Constructors

Lecture: Vanbrugh’s Country Houses

Lecture: The ‘most honest hearted, real good men’: Sir John Vanbrugh and the Kit-Cat Club

Talk: The Theatre of the Feast - Power and Excess in the Georgian Dining Room

Installation: Library of the Four Winds

Lecture: Responses to Vanbrugh

In Conversation : Sir Charles Saumarez Smith CBE and Jeremy Musson

Grimsthorpe Castle Vanbrugh300 Weekend

An Evening of Vanbrugh: Production by the Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club

Vanbrugh at Chalke History Festival

Exhibition: Vanbrugh Rockstar of the English Baroque

Lecture: Courtier, Playwright and Castle, the unlikely making of Kimbolton

Castle tours: Vanbrugh revealed at Kimbolton Castle

Conference: Vanbrugh in North East England

Talk: Vanbrugh and 4th Earl of Manchester; Architect and Patron

Stowe House Vanbrugh300 Weekend

Talk: Vanbrugh’s Alterations and Additions to Stowe House

Talk: Sandy Nairne, Sir Charles Saumarez Smith and Mark Newman

Kimbolton Castle Vanbrugh300 Weekend

Exhibition: Vanbrugh Rockstar of the English Baroque

Lecture: Vanbrugh and the Queen’s Theatre in the Haymarket

Talk: Sir John Vanbrugh and the Making of Stowe

Talk: Rory Fraser on Vanbrugh