House, Gardens & Cafe Open Tuesday - Sunday 10.30 - 17.00

Garden Entry: 22nd November – 2nd December

We have reviewed Government guidance and are confident that ticketed gardens can currently stay open.  Therefore, although the museum will be closed you will be able to visit the garden.

 

Entrance to the garden will be from the High Street entrance only. Tickets need to be shown at White’s Shop before entry. The garden is open from 10:30 till 16:30.

 

We ask all our visitors to note that the Government advice on the rule of 6 has changed. You must only visit in your household group, your ‘bubble’ or, if you are on your own, you may meet one other person from another household.

 

The museum will be closed, along with our giftshop, however White’s cafe will re-open as a shop for essential items and takeaway service.

 

If the situation changes and the garden has to close, we will let you know as soon as possible.  Anyone who has pre-booked will be refunded.

 

Thank you for supporting Gilbert White & The Oates Collections

Garden Entry 5th-13th November 

Garden Entry 14th-21st November 

    Gilbert Whites House

    Gilbert White was aged 7 or 8 when the White family moved from the Vicarage on Selborne’s Plestor, to this house, called ‘The Wakes’ (named after the Wake family who had lived here previously). At that time the property would have been no more than a ‘two up, two down’  but over the subsequent years lots of extensions and additions have been made, creating the long sizeable house you see today.

    The rooms have been restored following descriptions in White’s own correspondence and include a chair he used at Oriel College, Oxford (loaned from the College), items of contemporary furniture, family portraits and bed hangings embroidered for him by his aunts.

    On display is the original manuscript of his book, The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne, which was purchased with generous help from English Heritage and others.

    Learn more