Timothy was Gilbert White’s much-loved tortoise and Gilbert wrote about Timothy’s escapades in his letters and journals. Join us for an interactive story walk around the grounds, following in the footsteps of Timothy, hearing stories of his adventures and taking part in activities to get a ‘tortoise-eye’ view of the world!
Suitable for ages 2-6
Free event with Museum or Garden entry
Meet by the Lawn Cafe
11.30-12.15pm
2-2.45pm
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