Simon Thurley CBE Discusses Sir John Vanbrugh
Lewis Hall, Kimbolton School, Huntingdon, PE28 0EA
Thursday 2nd July 2026
Please join us for an evening lecture with Simon Thurley to discuss Sir John Vanbrugh at Kimbolton Castle.
How did an aristocrat in the late seventeenth century choose his architect? Was it personal connections, reputation, previous commissions or simply just chance. Kimbolton’s three rebuildings by the fourth earl and first Duke of Manchester present a conundrum for historians: who, what and why? Simon Thurley unravels a fascinating story of patronage and preferences in answer to these questions.
Dr Simon Thurley CBE is a distinguished historian and heritage leader. He serves as Chair of the Delivery Authority for the Restoration and Renewal of the Houses of Parliament, is a member of the British Library Capital Programme Board and is Chair of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation. From 2002 to 2015, he was Chief Executive of English Heritage, where he was responsible for the National Heritage Collection of 420 sites, and in 2021 was appointed Chair of The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Tickets are free but booking is required to manage capacity. Arrival from 6.30pm for a 7pm start.
How did an aristocrat in the late seventeenth century choose his architect? Was it personal connections, reputation, previous commissions or simply just chance. Kimbolton’s three rebuildings by the fourth earl and first Duke of Manchester present a conundrum for historians: who, what and why? Simon Thurley unravels a fascinating story of patronage and preferences in answer to these questions.
Dr Simon Thurley CBE is a distinguished historian and heritage leader. He serves as Chair of the Delivery Authority for the Restoration and Renewal of the Houses of Parliament, is a member of the British Library Capital Programme Board and is Chair of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation. From 2002 to 2015, he was Chief Executive of English Heritage, where he was responsible for the National Heritage Collection of 420 sites, and in 2021 was appointed Chair of The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Tickets are free but booking is required to manage capacity. Arrival from 6.30pm for a 7pm start.
