Stowe House has unveiled a new lecture series for 2026 as part of its contribution to Vanbrugh300, a nationwide programme marking 300 years since the death of the architect John Vanbrugh.
The initiative is supported by a major grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to the Georgian Group, enabling historic sites across the UK to explore Vanbrugh’s legacy.
At Stowe, where Vanbrugh collaborated closely with Lord Cobham, the programme aims to offer new perspectives on both the house and its landscaped grounds.
Central to the plans is the Sir John Vanbrugh Lecture Series, which will bring leading historians, authors and academics to Buckinghamshire for a series of evening talks running from May to October 2026.
Each lecture will examine a different aspect of Vanbrugh’s work and influence, including his role in shaping the Stowe landscape and his connections with the influential Kit-Cat Club.
The programme begins on 04 May with Richard Wheeler discussing Vanbrugh’s garden legacy at Stowe. On 11 June, Ophelia Field and Rory Fraser will present a lecture titled “The most honest-hearted, real good men”: Sir John Vanbrugh and the Kit-Cat Club.
Further talks include Francis Terry on 17 September, focusing on architectural alterations to Stowe House, and Michael Bevington on 15 October, examining Vanbrugh’s role in the creation of the estate.
All lectures will begin at 6.00pm, with tickets priced between £0 and £3.50, making the series widely accessible.
Ahead of the main programme, a special standalone lecture will take place on 23 April. Delivered by Dr Ralph St Clair Wade, winner of the George Clarke Prize, the talk will explore the origins of the Gothic Library at Stowe.
Drawing on extensive archival research, it will examine why John Soane diverged from the house’s classical style, as well as the influence of Mary, Marchioness of Buckingham, and her Catholic chaplain.
The lecture series forms part of a broader programme of events at Stowe House throughout 2026, including a new exhibition in the Marble Saloon, specialist tours, a summer family weekend and a garden trail highlighting Vanbrugh’s influence.
Tickets are now available via the Stowe House website, with further details on additional events expected in the coming months.
