A visit to The Vyne, Hampshire

If you’re looking for a relaxing day out steeped in history and natural beauty, The Vyne Hampshire is the perfect destination.  Located just outside Basingstoke, this stunning 16th-century mansion is managed by the National Trust and offers visitors a blend of Tudor heritage, landscaped gardens, and tranquil woodland walks.

As our closest National Trust property, The Vyne Basingstoke has become a firm favourite for our family and we’ve returned several times throughout the year.  If you’re looking for an enjoyable family day out in Hampshire, The Vyne National Trust property is definitely worth a visit.

In this guide, we’ll share what we love most about visiting The Vyne National Trust property and everything you need to know to plan your own unforgettable visit.

The Vyne is a magnificent Tudor mansion built between 1500 and 1520 for Lord William Sandys, King Henry VIII’s Lord Chamberlain.  Originally a medieval manor house, it was transformed and greatly expanded by Sandys into a grand estate fit for entertaining royalty and courtiers.

Lord Sandys was a close confidant of the king, who visited The Vyne three times, on two occasions accompanied by different queens.

Following a decline in the fortunes of the Sandys family, The Vyne was purchased in 1653 by Chaloner Chute, a prominent barrister.  Chute and his family made significant changes to the property, including major restoration work and extensive demolition to reshape the house.

The Chute family still owns The Vyne today, though it is now lovingly cared for by the National Trust.

Among the estate’s notable visitors were Jane Austen and her sister, who attended dances at The Vyne in the late 18th century.  Their brother, James Austen, served as vicar in the nearby village of Sherborne St John, cementing the family’s local ties.

We always like to start our visit to the Vyne with one of the woodland walks.  Visitors can choose from three woodland trails through Morgaston Woods, all of which are short, family-friendly walks.  The longest, marked by the brown trail, is a circular route of approximately 2.3 miles.

This mostly flat trail follows a woodland path alongside the Wey Brook.  In wetter months, the path can become muddy and uneven due to tree roots, so suitable footwear is recommended.  The latter section of the trail is paved, providing easier footing.

Along the trails, families will find plenty of natural features to explore, including logs to climb and a den-building area.  There are also opportunities for wildlife spotting and nature hunts, as well as woodland animal brass rubbings available for children.

The brown trail typically takes around 40 minutes at a leisurely pace but can be extended for a longer walk.  The woodland trails are also popular for dog walking.

If you don’t want to explore the woods, you can go straight to the house and gardens.

The woodland walk leads back past the park to a lakeside gate, which provides access to the house.  From there, a zigzag path takes you to a bird hide before continuing down to the water meadow overlooking the wetlands.

The wetlands at The Vyne support a diverse range of wildlife, including various bird species and water voles.  You’ll also see a lot of ducks and swans on the water in front of the house.

In front of the house is the manicured North Lawn, which is ideal for picnics in the summer.  Before going into the house, we walked down to the ornamental lake to meet some very friendly swans.  From here you can get the best view of the whole house.

The house is a Grade-1 listed building with impressive architecture and some important historical features.  At the front you’ll see the grand neo-classical portico, added in the 17^th Century by John Webb.  Large wooden doors and stone sculptures also add an air of splendour to this mansion.

The Vyne Hampshire was the family home of the Chutes for over 350 years, and today visitors can explore many original furnishings and personal belongings that reflect its rich history.  National Trust volunteers are available throughout the house to share information about the history of the house and the changes over its history.

Visitors will also learn a lot about the Chute family’s life, as well as their close connections to Jane Austen’s family.  Jane and her sister were regular visitors and you can see original books that Jane gifted to her friend, Thomas Chute.

In 2025, to mark the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, The Vyne is celebrating with a range of special Austen-inspired events.

The Tudor chapel room is another highlight, featuring stunning stained-glass windows and an impressive marble monument dedicated to Chaloner Chute.

Set over 9 hectares, the gardens are not enormous, but are neat, with well-kept flower beds.  You can explore the walled garden with its vegetables, orchard, and dahlia beds.

One of the top features of The Vyne gardens is the domed summer house.  Originally one of a pair, it is believed to be the earliest domed garden building in the UK.

Designed as a focal point within the landscape, the summer house provided a sheltered spot for visitors to enjoy the surrounding views.  However, over the centuries, the summer house has served a variety of purposes.

In the 1600s, it was used as a Banqueting House where guests would retire for dessert.  During the 1800s, it was repurposed as a Tea House and later transformed into a pigeon house!

One special tree to spot in The Vyne gardens is the ancient Hundred Guinea Oak, believed to be around 650 years old, thanks to John Chute.

According to diary entries, during the Battle of Trafalgar, a naval officer offered Chute £100 for the tree, desperate for its timber.  When Chute declined, the officer returned the next day with an increased offer of 100 guineas.  Unmoved, Chute famously replied, “Any tree that increases in value by £5 overnight is too valuable an investment to lose.”

It’s incredible to look up at the tree today and imagine that King Henry VIII might have once stood in the very same spot.

The Vyne is located in the charming village of Sherborne St John, just outside Basingstoke in Hampshire, UK.

The postcode for your GPS is RG24 9HL.  When you get close, simply follow the brown National Trust brown signs and it’s really easy to find.

If you’re traveling by public transport, the nearest train station is Basingstoke, about 2 miles away.  From there, it’s advisable to take a taxi.

The gardens at The Vyne are currently open from 10:00 to 17:00. (Last entry is at 16:00)

The house is open from 11:00 to 15:00.

Admission to The Vyne is free for National Trust Members.  For non-members, current admission prices can be found here.

The Vyne has a cosy tea room called The Brewhouse, offering light meals, cakes, and drinks. You can also buy ice creams and cakes in the courtyard or at the outdoor refreshment area.

There is a National Trust gift shop on site where visitors can purchase souvenirs and gifts.

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