Castle Howard Marks Vanbrugh Tercentenary with New Roz Barr Exhibition Near York
Castle Howard has launched a major new exhibition to mark the 300th anniversary of the death of its creator, the celebrated architect Sir John Vanbrugh. Opening on March 26, 2026, Staging the Baroque: Vanbrugh at Castle Howard invites visitors to explore the dramatic history and visionary design behind one of Britain's most iconic stately homes.
Exploring the Architect's Legacy Near York
Designed and curated by architect Roz Barr alongside Sir Charles Saumarez Smith, the exhibition delves into the partnership between an ambitious Vanbrugh and the 3rd Earl of Carlisle. Visitors stepping into the historic house will encounter rare historical artifacts, including letters penned by Vanbrugh that are being displayed to the public for the very first time.
The multi-room experience also features 18th-century editions of Vanbrugh's plays, original engravings from Vitruvius Britannicus, and a large-scale model mapping out the vast estate. A newly commissioned film by Thomas Adank rounds out the tour, which forms part of a broader house route taking in recently restored spaces like the Tapestry Drawing Room and Long Gallery. Further installations are planned throughout the tercentenary year, including a June project by Es Devlin at the Temple of the Four Winds and a family-friendly play space designed by Pippa Hale launching in late May.
To plan your trip and discover more cultural highlights around the region, explore upcoming exhibitions on what's on exhibitions or search the wider area via museum search on Musemap (musemap.art).
