Seaton Delaval Hall to host talks celebrating architect Sir John Vanbrugh
A series of talks exploring the extraordinary life, work and legacy of the architect behind Seaton Delaval Hall are set to take place this autumn.
The National Trust property is marking 300 years since the death of Sir John Vanbrugh, the architect and dramatist who designed the hall between 1718 and 1721.
The celebrations are part of Vanbrugh 300, a nationwide programme led by The Georgian Group and supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The celebrations bring together six of Vanbrugh’s great houses: Seaton Delaval Hall, Castle Howard, Blenheim Palace, Grimsthorpe Castle, Kimbolton Castle and Stowe House.
Visitors have three opportunities to delve deeper into Vanbrugh’s fascinating story through a programme of evening talks at Seaton Delaval Hall.
On Thursday, October 1, Vanbrugh scholar and former director of both the National Portrait Gallery and National Gallery, Sir Charles Saumarez Smith, introduced by National Trust Deputy Chair, Sandy Nairne, will explore Vanbrugh’s career and his connections with Seaton Delaval Hall.
National Trust archaeologist Mark Newman will also reveal how archaeological investigations have shed new light on Vanbrugh’s intent at the hall.
On Thursday, October 8, cultural historian Dr Annette Rubery and architect Dr Nicholas Helm will turn the spotlight on another side of Vanbrugh’s remarkable career with an illustrated talk about the Queen’s Theatre in the Haymarket, London.
The talk will explore how Vanbrugh’s ambitious 1705 theatre brought together architecture, opera and drama, and why this bold experiment mattered.
The series concludes on Thursday, October 15 with award-winning historian Rory Fraser who will explore the colourful character behind Vanbrugh’s monumental buildings.
Before becoming one of England’s most celebrated architects, Vanbrugh’s extraordinary life encompassed roles including playwright, soldier, political activist and imprisonment in France.
Emma Thomas, General Manager at Seaton Delaval Hall, said: “Vanbrugh 300 has given us a wonderful opportunity to look again at the architect behind Seaton Delaval Hall and to share the many different sides of his story with our visitors.
"These talks are a fantastic way to hear from experts who can reveal more about Vanbrugh. There is still time to visit the hall and see our Vanbrugh 300 exhibition and we'd encourage anyone with an interest in architecture, theatre or local history to come along.”
The Vanbrugh 300 exhibition remains on display at Seaton Delaval Hall until October 18.