Celebrate Vanbrugh300 at Stowe with a festival weekend of family fun and creativity
Creative family crafts will also be available throughout the weekend.
Families and visitors of all ages are invited to enjoy a summer weekend packed with creativity, discovery and hands-on fun as Stowe House hosts the Vanbrugh300 Family Weekend on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August 2026.
Presented by Stowe House Preservation Trust in partnership with the National Trust at Stowe Gardens, the celebratory weekend forms part of the nationwide Vanbrugh300 Festival organised by The Georgian Group and supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, marking 300 years of the extraordinary legacy of architect, playwright and visionary Sir John Vanbrugh.
Across the weekend, visitors can enjoy special £3 admission to Stowe House, celebrating 300 years of history, alongside free entry to the National Trust gardens at Stowe.
With family activities taking place across the estate throughout the day, organisers are encouraging visitors to plan their visit and pre-book workshops and activities online in advance. The National Trust gardens at Stowe will be open from 10.00am to 5.00pm, with Stowe House open from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Visitors can explore the magnificent State Rooms inside Stowe House, enjoy a special Vanbrugh300 exhibition in the Marble Saloon, and follow a self-led garden trail uncovering the temples and monuments Vanbrugh designed across the landscape.
Creative family crafts will also be available throughout the weekend, giving younger visitors the chance to become budding architects by designing and building their own country house creations to take home.
A series of guided tours at Stowe House will also take place across the weekend, bringing Vanbrugh’s work and influence to life while exploring areas of the wider House complex not usually seen by the public.
One of the standout experiences of the weekend will be the family drama workshops, Big, Bold & Baroque: A Vanbrugh Architecture Adventure, taking place at 11.30am, 2.00pm and 3.30pm. These lively, interactive sessions invite families to step inside Vanbrugh’s imaginative world through movement, storytelling and play. Together, participants will explore how Vanbrugh used architecture to create drama, emotion and spectacle, while discovering why his bold Baroque designs still capture imaginations today.
Susy Pullen, Co-Director at Stowe House Preservation Trust, said:
“Vanbrugh’s vision helped shape so much of what visitors experience at Stowe today, from the House itself to the extraordinary landscape beyond. This weekend is all about bringing those stories to life in a fun, welcoming and accessible way for families, and curious minds of all ages.
We’re delighted to be part of the year‑long Vanbrugh300 celebrations working with the Georgian Group. Throughout the year, this collaboration is helping bring new perspectives and opportunities for visitors to connect with Vanbrugh’s work.
To mark the anniversary, we’re offering £3 admission to the House, helping more people come and explore Stowe House and discover more about Vanbrugh’s legacy.”
On Sunday 2 August, families can also enjoy a series of free storytelling performances on the South Front Lawn at 11.00am, 12.00pm, 2.00pm and 3.00pm. Presented by storytellers Lucy Lill and Alys Torrance, these fast-paced, interactive performances introduce audiences to the many lives of Sir John Vanbrugh as architect, playwright, soldier and spy. Expect comic chaos, physical storytelling and plenty of audience participation in a playful retelling of one of Britain’s most fascinating historical figures.
The National Trust, who cares for the gardens and wider landscape at Stowe, is supporting the celebrations with free garden entry throughout the weekend, allowing visitors to explore one of Britain’s most important Georgian landscapes.
Tanya Brittain, General Manager for the National Trust at Stowe Gardens, said: “Stowe is one of the country’s most remarkable Georgian landscapes, and Vanbrugh’s influence can still be seen throughout the gardens today. This partnership weekend is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to explore the connections between the House, the landscape and the stories behind them.
We’re delighted to be working alongside Stowe House Preservation Trust to welcome families and visitors for a weekend full of creativity, discovery and shared experiences.”
The Vanbrugh300 Family Weekend forms part of a wider national programme bringing together six major heritage sites linked to Sir John Vanbrugh, celebrating his enduring impact on British architecture, theatre and culture.
Stowe is located near Buckingham in Buckinghamshire, within easy reach of Milton Keynes, Northampton, Oxford and London. The estate is accessible via the A43 and A421, with rail connections available from nearby Milton Keynes Central and Bicester stations.
Activities and workshops are expected to be popular, and advance booking is strongly recommended.
To book activities and find out more, visit stowehouse.org