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

The Lost and Found Explorer Challenge 

The Lost and Found Explorer Challenge 

23rd July- 4th September 

Calling all would be explorers! Can you navigate unknown territory to find an animal lost somewhere in our grounds? Follow a map, solve clues and use the answers to locate and name the mystery creature who has strayed from their natural habitat!  

Tell us the name of the creature to claim a reward! 

£1 per child with museum or garden entry. 

Suitable for age 7 and above (or younger with adult help!) 

    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