Gilbert White's House & Gardens

It doesn’t matter what time period you come from, you always need to cut your grass! Get learning about 18th century scything at Gilbert White’s House and Gardens Selborne, Hampshire � this Wednesday. We’re open from 10:30-16:30.

#history #grass #gardening #historicgardening

What a night! Gilbert White’s House & Gardens came alive under the ✨as over 1,000 ABBA fans sang, danced, and celebrated together. We would like to say a huge thank you to @operationmoonlight and @21stcenturyabbatribute for putting on such a phenomenal show.

Have you spotted any of these birds this summer?
We certainly have!

Let us know what you've seen in the comments below.
#birds #bingo #birdbingo #wildlife #nature

Plant of the week 🌱

Rosa moschata (musk rose) is the only late summer rose in the garden and can be found in the herb garden.

Our Wild Wednesdays are underway for the summer holidays and they're proving to be extremely popular!

You can read our latest Wild Wednesdays blog on our website and book your tickets now before they sell out!

August 7, 1775 – Timothy, Mrs Snookes’ old tortoise has been kept full 30 years in her court before the house, wieghs six pounds three quarters, & one ounce. It was never weighed before, but seems to be much grown since it came.

Our current exhibition Gilbert White and the Book of Nature by Sophie Hacker is proving very popular! So popular in fact that many of the pieces have now sold.

Make sure you pop by before it closes on the 17th August!

Happy August 🌻
It's August, the Summer Holidays are in full swing.
Every Wednesday we have our Wild Wednesdays full of nature fun, and we have our Wonderland summer trail running everyday 🧒
On the 9th we have ABBA by Moonlight 🕺
The 13th is our Scything Day and the 29th it's Proms in the park ! 🌻

We have been busy bailing our hay! 🌾
Our meadow is cut once a year, the hay from our meadow is totally natural and untouched by chemicals. Even the string that tie the bails is biodegradable!
It's a big job so thank you so much to garden staff and volunteers have been working so hard!

July 30, 1775 – By this evenings post I am informed, by a Gent. who is just come from thence that the hops all round Canterbury have failed: there are many hundred acres not worth picking.

Plant of the week 🌱

Foeniculum vulgare 'Purpureum' (Bronze fennel) found in the Six Quarters.

Did you know that fennel is one of the nine plants invoked in the pagan Anglo-Saxon 'Nine Herbs Charm' recorded in the 10th century?

We celebrated Gilbert White's 305th birthday and Jane Austen's 250th anniversary year with a Evensong at St. Nicholas Church in Chawton, a place where they both worshipped at different times.
A big thank you to Northanger Benefice for putting it all together and to Madding Crowd for the music.

Sophie Hacker’s nature-themed exhibition: ‘Gilbert White & The Book of Nature’ (9 July–17 August 2025) offered an exclusive private viewing to members and friends of her residency-inspired installations, paintings and experimental sculptural works.

#nature #art #artist #artistinresidence

July 30, 1775 – By this evenings post I am informed, by a Gent. who is just come from thence that the hops all round Canterbury have failed: there are many hundred acres not worth picking.

Last week we celebrated Gilbert White's 305th birthday and Jane Austen's 250th anniversary year with a Evensong at St. Nicholas Church in Chawton, a place where they both worshipped at different times.

Sophie Hacker’s nature-themed exhibition: ‘Gilbert White & The Book of Nature’ (9 July–17 August 2025) offered an exclusive private viewing to members and friends of her residency-inspired installations, paintings and experimental sculptural works.

#nature #art #artist #artistinresidence

Did you see the article in last week's Country Life? 📷
To find out more about our Fund for the Future appeal click here: gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/fund-for-the...
Credit: Jack Watkins, 16th July 2025 countrylife.co.uk

Wild Wednesday: Birds of Prey 📷

Wild Wednesdays are an hour of hands-on activities for children and their parents to experience local wildlife.

Date: 6th August 2025

Times: 11:00-12:00 & 14:00-15:00

Tickets: gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/event/wild-w...

Plant of the week 🌱
Foeniculum vulgare 'Purpureum' (Bronze fennel) found in the Six Quarters.
Did you know that fennel is one of the nine plants invoked in the pagan Anglo-Saxon 'Nine Herbs Charm' recorded in the 10th century?

July 22, 1775
The swifts are so fledge before they quit the nest that they are not to be distinguished from their dams on the wing; yet from the encrease of their numbers, & from their unusual manner of clinging to walls & towers one may perceive that several are now out.

Plant of the Week 📷
Cyanara cardunculus var.scolymus (globe artichoke) found in the kitchen garden.
Jul 4th, 1788
Gathered cherries for preserving. Cut a doz. of artichokes. Broad beans come in. Sowed endive.

Today it’s Gilbert White’s 305th birthday. White was seen as the Father of Ecology. He spent much of his time in the village of Selborne, Hampshire observing the natural world. Tomorrow 19th July are granting free admission to his house & gardens.

Find out more about the celebratory Evensong this Sunday at St. Nicholas Church in Chawton in our latest blog: gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/a-gilbert-wh...

A Natural History of Wonderland Trail 🐰 Starts TOMORROW!
This summer the March Hare, Cheshire Cat and other curious creatures that Alice encountered in Wonderland will be hiding in our gardens! Each creature has a challenge for you to complete.

You can see our website for more information.

The Big Butterfly Count starts tomorrow! 🦋
Not too late to take part!
Find out more: butterfly-conservation.org/.../the-big-....
#BigButterflyCount

Today it’s Gilbert White’s 305th Birthday! White was born on the 18th of July 1720. On his birthday we honour Gilbert White’s enduring legacy and his timeless connection to Selborne.
#nature #naturalhistory #literature #science #GilbertWhite

Today it’s Gilbert White’s 305th Birthday! White was born on the 18th of July 1720. He was a pioneering naturalist, ecologist and author whose work has profoundly impacted the way we understand the natural world.

Gilbert White will be turning 305 on the 18th July. He loved a celebration which is why we are opening our House and Gardens to you all free of charge on Saturday 19th July.

#gilbertwhite #freedayout #hampshire #familyfriendly #history #gardens

What a watch Wimbledon was! Now the tournament is over, many of the balls will be upcycled into tiny homes for Harvest Mice. Giving these mice homes is important for wildlife conservation and waste reduction. Tennis balls, when placed on poles or in tall grass offer protection.

Plant of the week 🌱
Cichorium intybus (chicory) found in the herb garden.

Did you know that Chicory was first described as a cultivated plant in the 17th century? When coffee was introduced to Europe, the Dutch thought that chicory made a lively addition to the bean drink.

#plant #chicory