Blueprints of Power exhibition

Name: Blueprints of Power Exhibition
Start: 2026-02-14
End: 2026-04-10
Location: Blenheim Palace

Delve into the world of power play in our new exhibition

Discover the Rivalries, Genius & Ambition of John Vanbrugh

Coming in 2026, our new exhibition Blueprints of Power will shine a light on Sir John Vanbrugh’s brilliant mind, his rivalries and ambitions and take visitors on an immersive visual experience through his early life and theatrics as playwright all the way to his high-stakes partnership with Sarah Churchill, first Duchess of Marlborough. Blueprints of Power will combine immersive experiences with rare archive material, recognisable outfits and costumes and the dramatic stories behind them. Visitors will be able to step back in time and discover how this flamboyant architect’s relationship with high society helped to define an age.

Celebrating Sir John Vanbrugh across the UK

The life and achievements of Sir John Vanbrugh (1664-1726) are being celebrated across the UK during 2026, his tercentenary year, following a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to The Georgian Group.

Sometimes referred to as ‘The Rockstar of the English Baroque’, Vanbrugh was also one of the great Restoration dramatists. His architectural work was as bold and daring as his early political activism and risqué plays. Among many other achievements - including as a herald and political activist – Vanbrugh is celebrated for his capacity to exploit the emotional impact of architecture, making exciting and dramatic use of light and shadow, recessions and projections.

The VANBRUGH300 celebrations are presented by the Georgian Group and will include a variety of events, educational programmes, volunteer training, lectures and exhibitions in collaboration with six of the architect’s most significant buildings: Castle Howard (Yorkshire), Blenheim Palace (Oxfordshire), Seaton Delaval Hall (Northumberland), Grimsthorpe Castle (Lincolnshire), Kimbolton Castle (Cambridgeshire) and Stowe House (Buckinghamshire).