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Selborne
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Gilbert White's House & Gardens
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Gilbert White's House & Gardens

See all things to do
See all things to do
Gilbert White's House & Gardens
4
#1 of 3 things to do in Selborne
Historic SitesGardensHistory Museums
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
Gilbert White's House & Garden celebrates the lives of three explorers of the natural world. The historic house was the home of the eighteenth century pioneering naturalist Gilbert White; whose major work The Natural History of Selborne has never been out of print since its publication in 1789. The House is surrounded by 25 acres of majestic restored garden and parkland, which specialises in eighteenth century plants and gardening methods inspired by Gilbert White. The Museum is also home to the Oates Collections where visitors can discover the stories of the nineteenth century explorer Frank Oates, who travelled extensively around Africa and Central America and the heroic Captain Lawrence Oates. The Collection commemorates the life of Lawrence Oates, who travelled with Scott to the South Pole on the epic yet ill fated Terra Nova Expedition of 1912. This unique and diverse, interactive Museum also boasts a fantastic café which serves food throughout the day, a on-site brewery.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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9 within 3 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
313 reviews
Excellent
156
Very good
106
Average
22
Poor
12
Terrible
17
Pdviande
World4 contributions
Trendy setting, disappointing food
Oct 2023 • Family
I've been to the museum before and it's excellent. Went to the café only for lunch today and was so disappointed. Ordered pumpkin soup: a small portion of lukewarm, tasteless puree with a tiny, white refined roll, the type one buys in the supermarket to finish in the oven, for £7.50! Was told it wasn't what they normally offer, so why offer it? If you can't maintain the usual standard due to supply difficulties or whatever, don't put it on the menu! I was hungry again soon after, and felt thoroughly ripped off. Complained and received an apology, but won't return. To get something so simple so wrong... I speak with many years of catering experience.
Written 14 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gilbert W
Dear Pdviande We are glad that you hold the museum in high regard, however, we are very sorry that you had a bad experience in White’s Cafe on Saturday 14th October. In order to restore your faith in our cafe we are happy to either issue you with a full refund or treat you to lunch on a future occasion to suit you. We take pride in our food and use as much produce from the garden to offer seasonal and sustainable dishes, complaints are few but, like yours, we aim to learn from them and improve. Please email info@gilbertwhiteshouse as soon as you can quoting Soup Complaint and your email will acted on by return. Thank you.
Written 23 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Adventurers049
Brisbane, Australia3,377 contributions
Excellent
Sep 2023 • Couples
The house and garden is beautiful.
There are also a lot of picnic spots in the gardens.
The exhibits give you a good insight of Gilbert and his work.
Upstairs, there is an excellent section outlining the Oates family and their exciting expeditions.
Written 13 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
skiingcouple
Yorkshire116 contributions
Fascinating collections
Aug 2023 • Family
You can spend several hours here enjoying the museums to three interesting people: Gilbert White the naturalist, Titus Oates and Frank Oates, explorers. There are extensive gardens and an on-site micro brewery, plus a very good café. Highly recommend the reasonably-priced lunch, an exceptionally good club sandwich and home-made soup.
Written 14 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gilbert W
Thanks you so much! Look forward to seeing you again soon.
Written 18 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lucy T
Isle of Wight, UK276 contributions
Pretty gardens and interesting house - well worth a visit
Jul 2023 • Couples
We enjoyed our afternoon out here and it’s set in a lovely little village. It was nice and quiet after a storm put people off earlier in the day. The gardens are pretty to stroll around and we enjoyed a picnic. You can wander around the house at your own leisure without anyone watching over you. I had particular fun with the brass rubbings and I feel I really learnt something from my visit. As others have commented, do make sure you hand in your car registration at reception to avoid a parking fine.
Written 19 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gilbert W
Glad you enjoyed your day! Hope to see you soon!
Written 18 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
gl01952
Greater London, UK15 contributions
Lovely find
Jul 2023 • Friends
Beautiful place to visit. Lots of history very well presented in house.
Gardens wonderful to see. Lots of education about nature plants Oats the explorer and hero and Gilbert White and his interest in nature near and far. Shop is great and nice coffee shop and little farm shop. Also a brewery on site.
Written 13 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gilbert W
Thanks! Hope to see you again soon!
Written 18 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kerry S
Hampshire, UK141 contributions
Worth a visit, especially if you’re interested in nature
Jun 2023 • Family
An interesting day out, loved the colour in the walled gardens flowers, it was fascinating to learn about the creator of the science of ecology, as well as Antarctic and African explorers.
A nice shop, where I couldn’t resist a new plant for the garden.
Written 10 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gilbert W
We are so pleased that your enjoyed your visit! Hope the plant is doing well also!
Written 12 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Andrea
Tidworth, UK1,089 contributions
Very Interesting Visit
Mar 2023 • Couples
We visited on the last day of the National Lottery open days and thoroughly enjoyed our visit. The museum is very interesting with lots of exhibits and information to take in. We had a walk around the garden and we had coffee and cake in the cafe. The gift shop is well stocked with lovely gifts. The lady in the shop was so friendly and told us lots about the house. When you park you must make sure the museum or cafe take down your registration number so you’re not charged for parking.
Written 26 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gilbert W
We are so pleased you had a nice day Annie! Come back soon!
Written 12 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
pcook5
Reading, UK3 contributions
Guided Tour and welcome drinks
Mar 2023
Superb organisation for a Group visit of 12 that was pre-booked. All the staff gave of their best to make us feel welcome and their knowledge and dedication to the life and works of Gilbert White and Captain Oates was remarkable.
The cafe is first rate too and the ambience and space for research and interest makes the whole place a unique oasis.
Written 10 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gilbert W
We are so pleased you had a good visit! Look forward to seeing you again soon!
Written 12 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
John
Midhurst, UK1 contribution
Extortionate and backhanded parking fines. Beware.
Feb 2023 • Couples
I honestly can’t believe I’ve been charged £100 for parking here for 40 minutes and having a coffee. It’s extremely confusing because the whole car park is in fact split in two with one side being free and the other being paid. If we had known we needed to pay we would have done so. This is an extremely indecent and backhanded way to earn revenue and I’ve had enough of these scam parking business models. What a horrible business to be in and a horrible thing to enforce. I wonder what cut the house and gardens gets for each of these parking fines? But of course, you won’t reveal that. I hope you put my hard earned money to good use. Everyone is feeling the cost of living crisis and being fined £100 for a parking charge that should be what? £2? I wonder what percentage of revenue comes from these extortionate fines. I gladly welcome the Government’s new code of practice, which will make it illegal to charge more than £50 on parking penalties.
Written 2 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gilbert W
I'm sorry that you received a parking charge. We are doing our upmost to ensure that everything is as clear and easy to use as possible. There are 13 signs that indicate that there is a small charge for parking. If you are using the museum's facilities in anyway such as to get a coffee then all you need to do is give your registration into a member of staff and parking is free. If you have a problem such as not being able to pay for parking or getting a fine we recommend contacting us and we are always happy to help.
Written 12 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rita H
2 contributions
Unexpected ÂŁ100 parking fine! Car park used to be free and we are National Trust member
Jan 2023
Went for a walk with my daughter and the dog on a Sunday afternoon. We got lost as it became dark very quickly.
I had Parked the car behind the pub as I was sure it was ok to use and I am a National trust member. Today I got a fine for ÂŁ100. How is this ok?
I will appeal but I expect the usual stonewalling from the parking people.
We will never go back again.
Written 8 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gilbert W
The carpark does not belong to the National Trust and therefore NT membership is not a valid way of avoiding the car park charges. If you had parked in the car park behind the pub then you would not have received a ticket as the camera is in the upper car park. If you visit the museum or use the cafe then parking is free.
Written 13 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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GILBERT WHITE'S HOUSE & GARDENS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Gilbert White's House & Gardens
Gilbert White's House & Gardens is open:
  • Tue - Sun 10:30 - 17:00
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