The Interiors of John Vanbrugh's Houses

Charles Saumarez Smith

During the year of Vanbrugh’s tercentenary, much attention has been paid to Vanbrugh’s attitude to design, including an exhibition of his drawings held at Sir John Soane’s Museum (4 March to 28 June 2026). But there is much less information about the extent to which he was interested in the design of the interiors of his houses, including their furniture. How much, for example, was he involved in the layout of the rooms at Castle Howard? Was he responsible for the selection any of the furniture and tapestries at Blenheim? Did he have any interest in the way the interiors of his houses worked, including in his own houses, Goose-Pie House in Whitehall and Vanbrugh Castle in Greenwich?

The Annual Lecture will look back on what has been learned about Vanbrugh as a result of the festivities surrounding his tercentenary, with particular attention paid to the furniture and interiors of his houses.

Charles Saumarez Smith began his career as an Assistant Keeper with responsibility for the V&A/RCA MA Course in the History of Design at the Victoria and Albert Museum and, in 1990, published The Building of Castle Howard. He has recently returned to his original interest in architectural history by writing John Vanbrugh: The Drama of Architecture published in November 2025 and acting as co-curator for the exhibition on Vanbrugh drawings at Sir John Soane’s Museum.

Admission to the lecture is free for members, but attendance is by ticket only, which must be acquired in advance.

Please apply to the Events Secretary for a ticket.  Numbers are limited to 110.

Drawing of Castle Howard, John Vanbrugh, Victoria and Albert Museum