The Museum will remain closed until restrictions are lifted.
The Gardens are open and you can purchase tickets here.
White's will remain open for shop supplies and take-aways only.
Our Opening times during this time are:
Mondays: Shop Only 8am-12pm
Tuesday-Sunday: White's 8am- 4pm, Garden 10:30am-4:30pm
Help Gilbert Whites continue to inspire journeys in the natural world.
Visit Gilbert White & The Oates Collections in Hampshire
If you fancy a day out and want to visit somewhere a bit different, then why not try the beautifully restored house and gardens of local natural history hero Gilbert White. Then travel the natural world through the collections of Frank Oates, explorer and naturalist and Lawrence Oates who was part of the fateful Terra Nova expedition to the South Pole. We have a museum, fascinating historic collections and educational activities for the whole family.
Selborne and its surrounding landscape inspired Gilbert White’s life-long investigation of the natural world, culminating in his world-famous book The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne. We tell Gilbert White’s story within the walls of his family home and garden. The later extensions to the house host The Oates Collections, celebrating two very different explorers of the natural world…

The Education Department at Gilbert White’s House and The Oates Collection have a mission to inspire journeys of discovery in the natural world for all ages and abilities.
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Celebrate your special day in our idyllic setting, beneath the Selborne Hanger. Gilbert White & The Oates Collections provides the perfect British country venue.
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In the news
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10 Dec
Retracing Scott & Amundsen’s journey to the South Pole. Part 3
Read moreWe’re continuing to follow the two expeditions of Scott and Amundsen as they headed south from the warm waters of the mid Atlantic to the
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01 Dec
Dreaming of a Gilbert White Christmas…
Read moreChristmas is on its way and in many ways this Christmas will be a little different but luckily The museum and café have your back!
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24 Nov
Gilbert White & Smallpox
Read more2020 has been a year where our health has been at the forefront, as we have watched the devastating impact that COVID-19 has had on
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21 Oct
Anna raises £300 for Gilbert White’s 300th!
Read moreGilbert White & The Oates Collections volunteer Anna Elder has been fundraising for the Selborne museum during lockdown. Anna has just embarked on her 150th walk in lockdown, after each walk of
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13 Oct
Culture Recovery Fund ensures future of our museum!
Read moreGilbert White Museum awarded nearly £170,000 Gilbert White & The Oates Collections has been awarded £168,778 as part of the Government’s £1.576 billion Culture Recovery
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18 Sep
GW300 Online Autumn Talk Series
Read moreWe are continuing the Gilbert White 300 celebrations with a series of Online talks throughout October and November. We have asked experts from all over
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02 Sep
Retracing Scott & Amundsen’s journey to the South Pole. Part 2
Read moreRoald Amundsen’s original expedition plan was to seek the geographic North Pole, but two expeditioners, Cook and Peary, had in September 1909 been reported to
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12 Aug
Lockdown Letter
Read moreIn these strange times we have a chance to glimpse our natural world. We realise that over the years we have been overwhelmed by an
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06 Aug
My First Visit
Read moreMy first visit. Volunteer and author Louis Coulson tells us about his very first visit to the Wakes. As far back as I can remember
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29 Jul
We are reopening the house in August!
Read moreGilbert White & The Oates Collections are opening the museum on the 1st August, four months after closing. We have announced that we will be
What our visitors saying about their experience
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Love this place, I’m a big fan of anything Antarctic and the gardens are beautiful. Great gift shop and tea rooms both supporting local business.
tripadvisor -
Lovely house and gardens. Fascinating insight into the lives of some unsung figures in history. Being a mariner, and interested in maritime exploration, I found the history of Oates and Scott’s Antarctic voyage very poignant. Lovely lunch in the cafe, followed by a nice walk in the grounds.
tripadvisor -
We are approaching the tercentenary of the birth of this famous naturalist… whatever your interest the gardens are a must visit. Extensive, in a beautiful setting, and ideal for contemplation. Good up-graded cafe with both inside and outside seating.
tripadvisor -
The visit itself was truly 5-star. The whole house and exhibition was in sparkling good order: all the staff were ultra-courteous and helpful, while the loos and cafe were also excellent – the cafe particularly so.
tripadvisor
The setting is lovely, with the grounds meticulously kept, rising to the dark green of the Selborne Hangers (woodlands) clothing the downs to the south of the site. -
Most interesting, and lovely restful gardens.
Mrs B -
Fascinating and wonderful place. A great atmosphere.
Miss L -
Top marks for: the Tea Parlour, definitely a place to visit again.
Mrs S
‘Towards Sustainability – Inspiring Journeys of the Natural World’ supported by