Gilbert White's House & Gardens

16/03/2023

March 16, 1792 – Daffodil blows… “it takes the winds of March/ Before the Swallow dares.”

15/03/2023

Something is coming...
Keep your eyes peeled for details about a new report on local wildlife coming soon!

Photo credit to: Oly Berriman

14/03/2023

The Poetry of Presence: Haiku and Intuitive Collaging
Monday 27th March 2023, 11am – 3pm, Gilbert White’s Great Parlour

Explore Gilbert White’s House and Gardens and your own creative life force through collaging and haiku poetry. Using your own photography and impressions of the house and gardens, The Soul Shed will show you how to explore that imagery and emotion with poetry, in the simple yet powerful haiku form. Discover inspiration in capturing moments of time, amongst the beautiful beginnings of Spring.

Bring your camera phone, all other materials included. Tea, coffee, and cake is provided, but please bring your own packed lunch and please note that White’s Café is closed on Monday.

Tickets are £45 per person.
Book Tickets on our website. Links in the bio

13/03/2023

Plant of the week: Primula vulgaris

Primula vulgaris also known as the primrose provides a splash of colour in early Spring. Under Irish folklore, when primroses are placed in a doorway of a home it is to protect the home from fairies.

On March 30th 1770, Gilbert White wrote: 'Papilio rhamni sucks the bloom of ye primrose. Polyanths coddled with ye frost.' The flowers provide a nectar source for the Brimstone butterfly, as Gilbert White noted.

12/03/2023

We are looking for a new head chef to join our café team! 🧑‍🍳
This is the perfect role for someone who loves good, home grown food, loves creativity and wants to work with a friendly hard-working team.
Please share this with anyone who may be interested!
Further details can be found here: https://gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/job-opportunities-2/

11/03/2023

Did you know you can book our Taproom?

If you belong to a society or organisation not only can you hire the space out* as a venue for your meeting or get together you could also have a brewery tour or tasting.

If you'd like to factor in a visit to the brewhouse or are interested to know more email [email protected] and follow Jubilee Tap for news and events



* Not during taproom opening times.

10/03/2023

📣Calling all teachers! 📣
Monday 27th March 4.30-6.30pm

Nature Connection for Your Class -Free Teachers CPD at Gilbert White Field Studies Centre in partnership with The Forest School Company.

The event will consist of two 45-minute guided sessions with a break halfway for complimentary tea and cake.

Session 1- Nature Connection in the Playground: Join Fiona Oakley, the Learning Manager at the Field Studies Centre, for a range of simple activities which you can use in any outdoor space to reconnect children with the natural world around them. Activities will be linked to curriculum learning and use minimal resources or preparation.

Session 2 – Nature Connection in Natural Spaces: Join Terry Molyneaux, Forest School Leader and owner of The Forest School Company, for a session in the woods adjacent to the centre, exploring a range of nature connection activities, which make use of the green spaces and wooded areas you may have access to.

Places are limited, so please book in advance. No more than 2 teachers from any one school please. Please come dressed appropriately to be outdoors including either wellies or walking boots as our site can be muddy.

This event is made possible thanks to the ‘Reaching Out’ grant, provided by Arts Council England and the Department for Education.

10/03/2023

Planning on watching the rugby this weekend? We’ve got a pretty great venue for you!

Will you be joining us tomorrow for the rugby? 🍻
We will be open from 4pm and kick off at 4:45pm
Looking forward to seeing you!

10/03/2023

Planning on watching the rugby this weekend? We’ve got a pretty great venue for you!

Will you be joining us tomorrow for the rugby? 🍻
We will be open from 4pm and kick off at 4:45pm
Looking forward to seeing you!

09/03/2023

Join our Team! 🍰
We have a few vacancies available in our café and for private events.
If you know someone who is looking for weekend work please share!

If that's you email [email protected] or find out more at https://gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/job-opportunities-2/

08/03/2023

'March 8, 1780 – Mrs Snooke dyed, aged 86.'

Rebecca Snooke was Gilbert White's aunt, Gilbert and Rebecca had a wonderful relationship, and Gilbert White would visit her in Ringmer, East Sussex often. In his letter Mrs Snooke is often described by Gilbert as a marvelous woman or 'not so faint hearted'.
She is probably however best remembered as the original owner of Timothy the Tortoise, who she bought in Chichester back in 1840 and bequeathed to her nephew Gilbert on her death.
In 'The Natural History of Selborne' Gilbert White writes 'I was much taken with its (Timothy's) sagacity in discerning those that do it kind offices; for, as soon as the good old lady comes in sight who has waited on it for more than thirty years, it hobbles towards its benefactress with awkward alacrity; but remains inattentive to strangers. Thus not only ‘the ox knoweth his owner, and the ass has master’s crib,’* but the most abject reptile and torpid of beings distinguishes the hand that feeds it, and is touched with the feelings of gratitude!'

07/03/2023

Guess what! We are taking part in between the 18th and 26th March (excluding Monday!) To say thank you to National Lottery Players, for supporting the charities and heritage sites like us, you can visit for FREE if you can show a lottery ticket or scratch card!!🤞
More details here! https://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/near-you/national-lottery-open-week/view/gilbert-whites-house-gardens

06/03/2023

Plant of the week: Buxus sempervirens

Buxus sempervirens is commonly known as Box, and it is a native evergreen. In fact there was once an ancient box woodland upon the chalk slopes of Box Hill in Surrey - hence its name.

On January 21st 1781, Gilbert White wrote: 'At the corner of my great parlor there is such a current of air that it has half killed a box-tree is nearly killed by the current of air; while a laurel in the same circumstance seems not to be affected at all.'

Box provides shelter for small birds, mammals and insects.

05/03/2023

What is the UN High Seas Treaty and why is it needed?

Environmental News: First treaty to protect the High Sea agreed by UN

On Saturday the UN agreed the first high seas Treaty after nearly 20 years of negotiations. The high seas consist of areas beyond national jurisdiction, (areas outside of territorial waters and exclusive economic zones).

The high seas are considered a global common, but prior to this treaty there was no framework to provide protection for high seas biodiversity.

The new treaty will designate 30% of the world's oceans as protected areas. This will help to contribute to the target to protect 30% of the earth's land and sea by 2030. However, the specific detail of the degree of protection afforded to these protected areas remains unresolved.

The first international agreement to protect the world's oceans for 40 years has been reached.

04/03/2023

Wedding season is almost upon us again! 💐
If you're looking for a wedding venue or inspo why not follow on instagram!

03/03/2023

Who was King Lobengula?
Our latest exhibition explores the relationship between Frank Oates and King Lobengula through food, hunting and trade. Lobengula Khumalo (c. 1845 – 1894) was the second and last official king of the Northern Ndebele people.
Lobengula ascended to the throne after the death of his father Mzilikazi, the first king of the Ndebele nation, in 1868. There was contention over his reign which led to conflict, Lobengula's courage in the battle led to his unanimous selection as king.
During his reign Lobengula met many European explorers, hunters and miners, including Frank Oates in the early 1870s. Frank Oates reported in his diary 'The King is a fine-looking man, and has an agreeable expression and a ready smile.' Our exhibition explores this relationship and asks the question 'how well can we tell this story when we only have Oates' side of the story' through his diaries and letters. What did Lobengula really think of Frank Oates' and European travelers like him?
In 1893 Lobengula's Ndbele nation was at war with the British South Africa Company and the British military force lead to devastating loss of Ndebele warriors. Lobengula was rported sick in late 1893, but reports of his death were kept secret. It is thought he died in early 1894.
By 1897 all of the Ndebele people's lands had been taken over by the British.

02/03/2023

As today is . It seems a good time to remind you that The Natural History of Selborne is considered the 4th most published book in the English Language! Have you read it?

01/03/2023

📣Job Opportunity!📣
Casual Events Staff needed! Help us run our private events smoothly!
Regular shifts available weekdays & weekends
No experience necessary
Must be 18yrs+
Get in touch by emailing [email protected]

01/03/2023

Happy March Everyone! 🌱
We are very much looking forward to Spring!

28/02/2023

Can you spot the differences from today?

An exterior view of Glibert White's House The Wakes c.1903, , .

See more of our collection online at: https://buff.ly/2KM0kQF

28/02/2023

February 28, 1793 – Planted 50 good cabbage-plants: mended the bed planted in autumn, & eaten in part by the hares.

27/02/2023

Plant of the week: Crocus

On February 27th, 1792, Gilbert White wrote: 'Mr Littleton Etty called. Long tailed titmouse. Crocus’s blowing very much. Winter aconites fade.'

The crocus was introduced to Britain by the Romans.

William Curtis (1746-1799), a botanist and entomologist born in Alton, produced a detailed description and added illustrations of the crocus to his Botanical Magazine.

26/02/2023

International Women’s Day Lunch

Wednesday, 8th March

Celebrate International Women’s Day with a very special lunch at Gilbert White’s House & Gardens. Indulge in a two course lunch for £29 per head, includes a glass of fizz*!

For the main course choose from a selection of dishes including, seared salmon fillets, sticky spiced chicken with avocado, vegan tofu soba noodle salad and more. Each dish comes with a perfectly selected side and beautiful dressing or garnish.

Following the main, there is a delightful array of puddings to choose from. Relax with a sumptuous chocolate brownie with berry compote and creme fraiche, or dive into the vegan rice pudding with raspberry compote or get that summer feeling with the salted almond and apricot tart!

Booking and course pre-order is required, please telephone 01420 513225 or email [email protected]

*Pressed elderflower is available as an alternative to fizz

25/02/2023

How Britain’s waterways became a dirty joke – and why we should act now

Environmental News: The Times leads a 'Clean It Up' campaign for clean water

With just 16% of assessed surface waters achieving good ecological status in England, the reporters at The Times have been investigating the causes of the terrible health of our rivers and beaches, from cuts to the Environment Agency's water quality testing to lax regulation from Ofwat to a lack of investment by water companies into their ageing infrastructure and more...

The 'Clean It Up' campaign also highlights the hard work of local campaigners and activists across the country who are calling for rapid action to revitalise our rivers and beaches.

‘I shouldn’t have to dedicate hours a week to trying to fight for the very fundamental right to clean water. But it’s hugely important,” said Ed Acteson, a 37-y

25/02/2023

Our new children's bench has been installed! Made by our Artist in Residence Sophie Hacker .
The designs were drawn by Endeavour School they are inspired by what the children saw on their visit to the gardens. The bench is made from a branch that fell down in a storm and the designs are made with russet-copper which will change colour as time goes on!

24/02/2023

Wow! What amazing art work from the young winners and runners up from the Pond Life art competition run by East Hampshire District Council and now on display in our long corridor! 😍

23/02/2023

Still Watching Narrowly? Lecture: Re-encountering the Earth

Thursday 2nd March, 7.30pm, Field Studies Centre

Join us on a journey from Francis Bacon to Johannes Goethe, via Gilbert White. Discover the physico-theologians and the contemporary return of ancient understandings of life on earth.

This lecture will take place in the Field Studies Centre, and is part of the series Still Watching Narrowly? Gilbert White’s Legacy and 21st Century Environmentalism. This programme of talks will explore Gilbert White’s place in the rise of 21st century understandings of environmentalism, deep ecology, and the challenges that are emerging to the damage done by human-centred thinking. It will locate Gilbert White at the head of a renewed interest in healing our relationship with the rest of creation.

https://gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/still-watching-narrowly-lecture-re-encountering-the-earth/?event_date=2023-03-02

22/02/2023

Have you tried the Jubilee Tap yet?

https://markhibbert.co.uk/clients-groups/enjoy-an-18th-century-history-lesson-with-your-pint/

21/02/2023

February 21, 1789 – Yesterday I fixed some nuts in the chinks of some gate-posts in a part of my outlet where Nuthatches used to haunt: & to day I found that several of them were drilled, & the kernels gone.

20/02/2023

Plant of the Week: Viola odorata

Viola odorata has many common names including sweet violet, wood violet and English violet. Viola odorata tends to grow on woodland edges, so it likes a little bit of shade - hence these violets can be found hiding beneath the winter aconites and snowdrops.

On February 28th, 1790, Gilbert White noted: 'Violets abound.'

Viola odorata is an important source of nectar for butterflies in early Spring. However, the over-picking of wild violets for culinary purposes is leading to their decline. The Woodland Trust recommend that you plant violets in your own garden if you wish to use them for cooking purposes.

19/02/2023

Save the dates!
We are celebrating the Coronation Weekend with TV coverage of the coronation in the Jubilee Tap on Saturday 6th May. Then on Sunday 7th, join us for a party on our mead!
Children's games, royal competitions, music, our horsebox bar and food to order. What better way to celebrate! Further details to come soon!

19/02/2023

It's National Nest Box Week! 🪺
The prefect excuse to make a nest box in your garden so you can spend the rest of the year embracing your inner Gilbert White!

The Nest Box week website has some great tips: https://www.nestboxweek.com/

18/02/2023

Searching for Clues to the Future in Antarctica’s Past
Thursday 23rd February, 7pm

Field Studies Centre

£10 a ticket, onsite or online

Searching for Clues to the Future in Antarctica’s Past

The vast polar ice sheet in Antarctica is a major player in the Earth’s climate system. It reflects light and cools the planet, and it controls the pathways of deep ocean currents. Without it, global sea levels would be around 55 metres higher than present. But predicting how it will behave in a future warming world has been a major challenge for scientists. Fortunately, both sediment cores and ice cores from Antarctica allow us to travel back in time to explore how the Antarctic ice sheet behaved during past warming events, such as those 130,000 and 400,000 years ago. This is a story of geological detective work, and one that is still ongoing. By deciphering the chemical fingerprints left behind in seafloor sediments and in the ice itself, we can answer questions such as: How did the ice sheet respond to past ocean warming? What can we learn about Antarctica’s future? And what are the implications for humanity?

This evening talk will be led by Dr David Wilson, a lecturer from the Department of Earth Sciences at University College London and will take place in our Field Studies Centre as part of our Antarctic talk series.

Tickets: https://gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/antarctic-talks-2023-searching-for-clues-to-the-future-in-antarcticas-past/?event_date=2023-02-23

18/02/2023

January saw an exciting and productive meeting with our friends at Gilbert White's House & Gardens - we look forward to sharing some exciting news with you in the coming months…….

17/02/2023

Vast glacier at mercy of sea warmth increase

Environmental news of the week:
Antarctic glaciers may be more sensitive to changes in sea temperature than was thought, new research shows.

New research suggests that even low amounts of melting can potentially push a glacier towards disappearance.

16/02/2023

Don't forget to come along and see our current Exhibition 'Frank Oates & King Lobengula: Encounter on the frontier of empire' which features Frank's diaries of his time in Southern Africa.

15/02/2023

Still lots to do this half term!

16th Feb: Albatross, Penguin & Goldfinch – Learn To Draw A Bird! 🐤

Drop-in session at the Field Studies Centre 10.30am-2pm

Inspired by Frank Oates’ childhood sketches of some of our best loved garden birds, this session gives you the chance to learn simple techniques for drawing birds, observe some birds first hand in our bird hide and make use of our taxidermy collection (including penguins and an albatross) to draw a variety of birds from ‘life’.

All ages welcome, tickets £3 adult, £2 child.

14/02/2023

❤Happy Valentine's Day ❤
Yesterday was our annual We Love Our Volunteers Day! ❤️
Great to see many of our wonderful volunteers for lunch and speeches!
And congratulations to Camille and Peter our volunteers of the year and Derick for 30 years service!

13/02/2023

Plant of the Week: Eranthis hyemalis

Eranthis hyemalis is also known as the Winter Aconite. The species is native to Europe and is part of the buttercup family. Eranthis hyemalis can be difficult to establish but once they have settled they naturally spread.

February 10th, 1772, Gilbert White recorded: 'Made cucumber bed. Snow gone on the hills. Winter aconite blows.'