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

ZigZag- The Story of Gilbert White & The Natural History of Selborne

ZigZag is a play for voices by the Alton Fringe Theatre with evocative images, live readings and music as they bring to life the world of the Reverend Gilbert White through this innovative theatrical experience.

7th May 2022 3pm

Tickets £10

    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