As seen on stage and in stone, Vanbrugh had an incredible imagination which enabled him to design this radical and theatrical building.
2026 marks the tercentenary of Vanbrugh’s death. Castle Howard is celebrating his legacy through exhibitions, events, workshops and installations, with more to be announced soon.
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Celebrating Vanbrugh across the UK
The life and achievements of Sir John Vanbrugh (1664-1726) are being celebrated across the UK during 2026 following a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to The Georgian Group.
Vanbrugh was one of the great Restoration dramatists. His architectural work was as bold and daring as his early political activism and risqué plays. Among many other achievements - including as a herald and political activist – Vanbrugh is celebrated for his capacity to exploit the emotional impact of architecture, making exciting and dramatic use of light and shadow, recessions and projections.
The VANBRUGH300 celebrations are presented by the Georgian Group and will include a variety of events, educational programmes, volunteer training, lectures and exhibitions in collaboration with six of the architect’s most significant buildings: Castle Howard (Yorkshire), Blenheim Palace (Oxfordshire), Seaton Delaval Hall (Northumberland), Grimsthorpe Castle (Lincolnshire), Kimbolton Castle (Cambridgeshire) and Stowe House (Buckinghamshire). These activities will all be supported by a dedicated website Vanbrugh300.co.uk.