Eight things grown-ups shouldn't miss during The Vyne's roof project

A roof guide chats with a visitor on The Vyne's rooftop walkway

The curious can unlock behind-the-scenes stories with our new programme highlights. Take in new views from our walkway and get a bird’s eye view of the rooftop being stripped bare. On selected dates, our project experts will give you the inside story on this complex conservation project. Spend a summer’s evening indulging in an exclusive evening roof tour or a spot of outdoor theatre. In an exclusive lecture, Oxford University historian Dr. Lucy Kaufman takes you back to the cusp of the Reformation and Henry VIII’s visit to The Vyne. Read on to see all eight highlights.

The Lord Chamberlain's Men performing at The Vyne

The Lord Chamberlain's Men present 'The Comedy of Errors' 

This fantastical comedy follows two pairs of identical twins, Antipholus of Syracuse and Antipholus of Ephesus, and their servants, both named Dromio. When they were babies, the twins and their parents were separated in a shipwreck; now, years later, as one half of the twins search for the other they unwittingly find themselves in the same city on the same day.

A roof guide chats with a visitor on The Vyne's rooftop walkway
The Vyne   Hampshire

Evening roof tours

Explore the rooftop walkway after hours on an exclusive guided tour in aid of a vital conservation project. Afterwards, you'll be led to the north lawn where you'll find a drinks reception waiting for you. There will be an opportunity to sign slate tiles that will go on The Vyne's new roof; a legacy that will last for centuries.

Find out more about evening roof tours
Henry VIII depicted in 16th century stained glass at The Vyne.
The Vyne   Hampshire

Lecture with Oxford University Fellow Dr. Lucy Kaufman

Lecture with Oxford University Fellow Dr. Lucy Kaufman. A Fellow at Keble College, Oxford, Dr. Lucy Kaufman's lecture examines the drama and impact of the king's Royal Progress to The Vyne in October 1535, on the very cusp of the Reformation. Light refreshments provided. Please be aware that the 9 June lecture will be held at Cross House, Bramley, RG26 5DQ. This is a 5 minute drive from The Vyne.

Find out more about this exclusive lecture
A visitor makes a tile at The Vyne
The Vyne   Hampshire

Make a Tile

The Keymer hand-made tile company are giving you the opportunity to make a roof tile. Having made your tile in a mould, you will make your tile unique by adding your hand-print to it.

Find out more about Make a Tile
A close-up of a tree on the lime avenue at The Vyne
The Vyne   Hampshire

Tudor secrets self-guided tour

At the site visited by Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn in 1535, pick up your self-guided tour at Visitor Reception and uncover hidden secrets contained in The Vyne's surviving Tudor features.

Find out more about this self-guided tour
A resistivity metre during a geophysical survey
The Vyne   Hampshire

Geophysics in action

Come to The Vyne and see a geophysical survey in action. This archaeological investigation uses sensors rather than digging to find out what Tudor features lie buried beneath the north lawn.

Uncover more about Geophysics in action
A staff member at The Vyne
The Vyne   Hampshire

Meet the project specialists

On various dates you can chat to experts who share stories with our visitors, care for historic interiors, study the roof structure and ensure this complex project is carried out safely.

Find out which experts you can meet
Old tiles on The Vyne's roof
The Vyne   Hampshire

Oxford Rock Breakdown Laboratory

For the first time, scientists are analysing building materials from the roof. To get closer to the action on 1-2 July, you can work alongside researchers from the Oxford Rock Breakdown Laboratory using cutting edge technology.

Get your thinking caps on