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

Magical Myths Halloween Theatrical Trail

*Free event with house and garden admission*
Professor Van Helsing is writing a book about all the weird and wonderful creatures of myth and legend, and she needs your help as researchers!
Join us for a family spooky Halloween theatrical trail with the Garret Theatre Company. Discover the house and gardens as you unravel riddles and clues to reveal hidden characters who will help you on your mission. Collect stamps and facts along the way for Professor Van Helsing to study, but be careful there is danger lurking around every corner!
Trail open 11.00-14.00, 15.00-16.30, drop in
Trail lasts 30-45 minutes

    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