In the early 19th century, The Vyne entered a period of benign neglect, which helped to preserve its ancient interiors.

When a more active owner, William Wiggett Chute took up residence in 1842, he modernised the services, but it is typical of the family that he fitted out his new library upstairs with a 17th-century chimney-piece and woodwork.

His son, who was named after Speaker Chute, wrote A History of the Vyne (1888), which is one of the most scholarly late 19th-century country house histories.

And in the same spirit the historian's son, Sir Charles Chute, 1st Baronet, gave the house together with its historic contents and estate to the National Trust in 1956, so that they could be preserved together.