In the background a map of the Stowe estate from the 1700s. In the foreground, cut out portraits from left: Lord Cobham (aristocrat), Charles Bridgeman (Garden Designer), Sir John Vanbrugh (architect), and a modern photograph of Michael Bevington.
Talks and Tours

Sir John Vanbrugh and the Making of Stowe

15 October, 6:00pm-7:30pm | Ticket price: £3.50

Book event

Michael Bevington explores Sir John Vanbrugh’s role in shaping Stowe, examining the architectural and landscape ideas that defined its early development. This talk is one of a lecture series held monthly, exploring shared themes from the individual perspectives of our speakers and reflecting the continuing debate that makes Stowe so compelling.

This lecture reviews Sir John Vanbrugh’s time and work at Stowe, examining the archaeological evidence for his buildings both at Stowe House and within the garden. It considers how Lord Cobham drew upon the talents of Vanbrugh and Charles Bridgeman to shape a new landscape vision that reflected his political and philosophical outlook.

Key Information

  • The event will proceed with a 60-minute talk followed by audience questions
  • Booking essential
  • Doors open at 5.45pm

Lecture Series – Save The Dates

Join us throughout the year for an inspiring line‑up of guest speakers, with talks and discussion panels taking place on Thursday evenings. Tickets are now on sale.

  • 23 April – Dr Ralph St Clair Wade (University of Cambridge and 2025 George Clarke Prize winner) shares his latest research on the Gothic Library
  • 14 May – Richard Wheeler (Specialist in practical Gardens History) explores the connections between Vanbrugh and Gibbs’ work at Stowe
  • 11 June – Ophelia Field and Rory Fraser “The most honest-hearted, real good men”: Sir John Vanbrugh and the Kit-Cat Club
  • 17 September – Francis Terry (Architect) highlights Vanbrugh’s proposed alterations and extensions to Stowe House
  • 15 October – Michael Bevington examines Sir John Vanbrugh’s work at Stowe and the landscape vision he helped to create.

Meet Your Speaker

A white man in his 70s smiles, he has drak brown hair with shades of grey. He wears a bright chequered shit. He is Michael Bevington

Michael Bevington

Michael Bevington taught Classics at Stowe from 1978 to 2019. He has researched and written on Stowe’s architectural history since the 1980s and has recently completed part-time study of historic Stowe for a research degree at the University of Oxford. His talk will draw on his research into Vanbrugh and his presentation at the Vanbrugh300 conference at Cambridge in March 2026.