The Vyne estate consists of 452 hectares (1120 acres) and is made up of the formal grounds with lake around the house, woodland, parkland and farmland.

Each area has a totally different character and supports a wide variety of animals, birds, plants and trees.

Today visitors can enjoy fine herbaceous borders, a ‘William Robinson’ inspired wild garden, organic orchard and Edwardian style summerhouse garden.

A large Walled garden dates back to the 18th century. An ambitious restoration programme to restore a glass house and fruit and vegetable beds is underway with the intention to provide the restaurant and visitors with seasonal produce.

The Summerhouse is possibly the earliest domed garden building in England, dating from c1635. Designed by John Webb, and built in the shape of a Greek cross, it is thought to be one of a pair planned for the garden and originally had a first floor which has now collapsed.

Ornately decorated with plasterwork and richly painted, it was variously used as a banqueting house, a 'lust' house and a dovecote. Currently research is being undertaken into its original appearance and it will soon be undergoing restoration to its former glory.

Next to the Summerhouse is the ‘Hundred Guinea Oak’, so called because according to family legend, William John Chute declined to sell it to a passing timber merchant who offered 100 guineas for the wood. The wonderful oak tree is thought to be well over 600 years old.

The Hydraulic Ram Pump beside the lake was manufactured by Green & Carter Ltd at the Vulcan Iron Works in Kingsworthy, Winchester and was installed at The Vyne in 1919. It is based on the design of Pierre Montgolfier who patented the first automatic pulse valve hydraulic ram pump in 1816 and was used to feed water to the complex network of irrigation systems on the estate including the farm on the south side of the house and various gardens.

Access

It is free to enter Morgaston Wood, which is open all year, via permanent access from Morgaston Road. However, access to the wood across the North Park on the estate is only possible when the property is open to the public.