In Conversation: Sir Charles Saumarez Smith CBE and Jeremy Musson

We will be welcoming Sir Charles Saumarez Smith CBE and Jeremy Musson to Grimsthorpe this summer as part of VANBRUGH 300.

Charles Saumarez Smith was Secretary and Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Arts until 2018, Director of the National Gallery (2002 – 2007) and also of the the National Portrait Gallery (2002 – 2007).  Since then, he has published The Art Museum in Modern Times (Thames and Hudson, 2021) and, more recently, John Vanbrugh and the Drama of Architecture (Lund Humphries, 2025).  He is a trustee of the Garden Museum and writes a monthly column on architecture for The Critic.

Jeremy Musson is an architectural historian with a special interest in the English country house. He is author of several books, including The Country Houses of Sir John Vanbrugh (2008). He teaches at the University of Cambridge and New York University in London, and is also heritage consultant. Architectural editor at Country Life magazine from 1998 to 2007, he was also presenter and co-writer of the BBC2 TV series The Curious House Guest about the history and lives of historic country houses.

Don’t miss the chance to be a part of this conversational insight into all things Vanbrugh, with refreshments on offer throughout the evening. Visitors will also have the chance to take a stroll around the formal gardens before and after the conversation.