History Hunters: Home Ed sessions
Home educating in Northumberland or North Tyneside? Join us for a relaxed afternoon of history, creativity and discovery, with drop-in crafts, self-led trails and family-friendly tours inspired by architect, Sir John Vanbrugh.
- Booking not needed
- Free event (admission applies)
Spend a relaxed afternoon learning together with hands-on activities, self-led discovery and family-friendly tours as part of Vanbrugh 300, the 300th anniversary of Sir John Vanbrugh's masterpiece.
Drop in between 11am and 2pm and make the Stables Workshop your first stop. From here, you'll find everything you need for the day, including activity information, trails, clipboards and pencils. Take part in a range of activities, including:
Mischief & Mayhem Tours: Discover the stories, characters and secrets of Seaton Delaval Hall on a 45-minute guided tour through the Central Courtyard, Entrance Hall, Saloon and West Wing aimed at KS2. Tours start at 11.15am, 12.15pm and 1.15pm. Spaces are limited to 10 children per tour and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Collect tour tokens from the Stables Workshop.
Hats Off to Vanbrugh Craft Activity: Get creative and design your own Vanbrugh-inspired hat. This drop-in activity is suitable for families to enjoy together. All materials provided.
Self-led Trails: Explore the hall and grounds with a choice of family trails, including Vanbrugh 300 KS 1 and KS 2 trails, a collections trail and, weather permitting, a garden trail.
No booking required and activities are included with National Trust membership or standard admission.
Vanbrugh 300 is presented by The Georgian Group with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
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Event ticket prices
This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.
Check admission pricesUpcoming events
Vanbrugh 300
This year we're celebrating Seaton Delaval Hall’s architect, Sir John Vanbrugh. Led by The Georgian Group, we’re joining five of his most significant creations for events commemorating the man known as the ‘rockstar of the English Baroque’.
Vanbrugh 300: Sandy Nairne, Sir Charles Saumarez Smith and Mark Newman
Introduced by Sandy Nairne, Vanbrugh scholar Sir Charles Saumarez Smith discusses Vanbrugh’s career and links to Seaton Delaval Hall. Archaeologist Mark Newman shares how investigations have provided insight into Vanbrugh’s involvement in the hall.
Vanbrugh 300: John Vanbrugh and the Queen’s Theatre in the Haymarket
An illustrated talk from Dr Annette Rubery and Dr Nicholas Helm on John Vanbrugh’s ambitious Queen’s Theatre (1705), exploring how its daring design united architecture, opera and drama—and why this bold experiment mattered.
Vanbrugh 300: Historian Rory Fraser
As playwright, soldier, spy and adventurer, Vanbrugh is one of the most colourful architects in English history, yet relatively little is known about him. Here Rory Fraser gives a sense of the character that lay behind his legendary facades.