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.
- Booking essential
Rory Fraser is an historian, presenter and co-host of the Country House Podcast. Rory studied Vanbrugh’s time in India during his MPhil at Cambridge University. He co-curated the content for the Georgian Group’s Vanbrugh300 Exhibition and is now completing a biography of the life and times of Vanbrugh to be published by William Collins in 2027.
Times
Prices
| Ticket type | Ticket category |
|---|---|
| All | £15.00 |
The basics
- Booking number
Call 0344 249 1895
- Accessibility
Please call us on 0191 237 9100 to discuss your requirements ahead of booking if you have an access support need.
- Meeting point
Please arrive via Visitor Welcome. The talk will take place in the Saloon.
- Suitability for children
Recommended age 13+.
- What to bring and wear
The Saloon is unheated and gets very cold at night. Please wear warm clothing.
- Other
Talk approximately 45 minutes followed by Q&A.
Upcoming 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’.
Earth Compass
A selection of works taken from the award-winning British Pavilion exhibition of the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025, GBR - Geology of Britannic Repair.
Delaval Discoveries: Potted History Talk
Join our expert guides daily for an introduction to the gay Delavals, the most notorious of Georgian partygoers and pranksters and discover the story behind Sir John Vanbrugh's 300 year old masterpiece.
Tots' Plots
Join us for our free weekly drop-in gardening club for toddlers, packed full of activities whatever the weather. No need to book in advance, just turn up to enjoy our free weekly gardening session in the Community Kitchen Garden.