The exhibition - the 300th anniversary of Vanbrugh’s death, which is now open to the public – will see letters by Vanbrugh on public display for the first time.
Hailed as ‘the Rockstar of the English Baroque’ and ‘the original starchitect’, Vanbrugh had concurrent careers as an architect, playwright, adventurer, soldier, spy, diplomat and garden designer.
Castle Howard – the location for Brideshead Revisited and Bridgerton – is celebrating his legacy with exhibitions, installations, workshops, talks and performances across the tercentenary year.
Staging the Baroque explores the moment when an ambitious Vanbrugh encountered the equally ambitious Charles Howard, 3rd Earl of Carlisle, in the confines of the Kit-Cat Club in London.
The Earl wanted to build a grand country house and Vanbrugh’s bold, theatrical vision inspired him to take a chance on this would-be architect who had never built anything before.
Vanbrugh enlisted the help of Nicholas Hawksmoor, and the collaboration gave rise to the masterpiece which is Castle Howard.
Designed and curated by architect Roz Barr, the exhibition chronicles the story of this exciting creation and explores Sir John Vanbrugh’s visionary use of scale, shadow and light in the creation of one of Britain’s most iconic stately homes.
The exhibition conveys Vanbrugh’s career as a playwright and architect and his relationship with the third Earl of Carlisle in creating Castle Howard.
It is part of a House tour which includes the recently renovated Tapestry Drawing Room and Long Gallery.
Roz Barr said: “I hope the exhibition will inspire visitors to explore the grounds and appreciate the impact of the house, with its grand elevations and imposing dome, against a backdrop of trees, water, sculpture, and other buildings such as his Temple of the Four Winds and more distant monuments.”
In June, internationally renowned artist and designer Es Devlin will unveil a new installation in Vanbrugh’s Temple of the Four Winds, presenting an innovative response to Vanbrugh’s vision and continuing Castle Howard’s work with contemporary artists.
From May 23, young visitors can take part in Playshapes: Castle Constructors, a new interactive play experience for children and families inspired by Vanbrugh’s architectural vision.
Nicholas and Victoria Howard said: "There are many ways that audiences can engage with and learn about this larger-than-life character this year, and we are delighted to present responses by Roz Barr and Es Devlin which allow them to explore their own affinity to Vanbrugh.”
Roz Barr and Sir Charles Saumarez Smith have co-curated the exhibition Vanbrugh: The Drama of Architecture at the Sir John Soane’s Museum, London, on until 28 June 2026, a complementary exhibition to Staging the Baroque.
Visit www.castlehoward.co.uk for more.
1. Castle Howard Staging of the Baroque
Georgie Sykes viewing the exhibition. photo: Richard Ponter Photo: Richard Ponter
2. Castle Howard Staging of the Baroque
Nick Howard views the exhibitionn. photo: Richard Ponter Photo: Richard Ponter
3. Castle Howard Staging of the Baroque
Nick Howard with a portrait of Vanbrugh. photo: Richard Ponter Photo: Richard Ponter
4. Castle Howard Staging of the Baroque
Roz Barr and Nick Howard view the exhibition. photo: Richard Ponter Photo: Richard Ponter