To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of our society, we are holding a special event at Seaton Delaval Hall on the evening of Saturday 20 September 2025, from 5.30 to around 9.00 pm.

It is particularly fitting that we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of our founding (in1975) with an event at the 'Gay Delavals' party house in the north-east. Our last visit as a society was in 2008, to support the National Trust's campaign to acquire the property, and holding our anniversary party there will support the Trust in its continuing work of repair, conservation and presentation. We will also be anticipating the 2026 Vanbrugh 300 celebrations organised by The Georgian Group, in which Seaton Delaval will play a key role in the year-long programme marking the 300th anniversary of the death of its architect Sir John Vanbrugh. As the last of his three most complete and significant country house designs (following Castle Howard and Blenheim Palace) it typifies his highly theatrical English Baroque grand manner, despite being gutted by fire in 1822.

The evening will comprise:

• Foregathering with wine and soft drinks in the Saloon (within the central block).
• Welcome and brief introduction to the history of the property by Emma Thomas (General Manager) and Mark Newman (archaeologist), with time to look round the central block.
• A talk on the archaeology of the hall and its landscape, including new insights, by Mark Newman.
• A celebratory buffet meal (with drinks) in the Brewhouse café.

During the evening our president Lord Devonport will present a cheque representing his generous donation to cover the cost of establishing our new Website archive, through which we hope to make available numerous papers left by the late Grace McCombie amongst many other documents of historic interest.

For staffing reasons the wings and stables of the house will not be accessible during our evening event so it is recommended that members come earlier in the day to enjoy these, and to explore the site generally. Normal entrance charges will apply for non-members of the NT arriving before 5:00 pm.

Price: £45:00 per person, to include drinks, meal and Seaton Delaval Hall costs.

Flyer circulated to members (includes map and access information)
Booking form (docx format) or booking form (pdf format).