Heritage Open Day
On Saturday 13 September only, non-members can enjoy a free visit to The Vyne in Sherborne St John. Explore a former Tudor powerhouse turned 17th-century family home, set in gardens, woodlands and wetlands.
- Booking not needed
- Free event
Explore a nationally recognised 'Discovery House’, including pre-Reformation chapel with stained-glass windows, Oak Gallery and tapestry room.
Enjoy the gardens featuring a walled garden and 17th century summerhouse. Visit the shop selling locally sourced goods and highlights from the National Trust range and the cosy Brewhouse tea-room serving light refreshments and hot and cold beverages. The best picnic spot is the north lawn by the lake.
Dogs are welcome at The Vyne on a lead but only assistance dogs are allowed in the house. We have a dog-friendly indoor seating area available on the ground floor of the tearoom and four-legged friends are welcome in the shop.
Perfect for days out with friends and family who just want to 'try things out' first before getting a membership, non-members can enjoy free admission to the house and grounds during normal opening hours: House 11am-3pm. Gardens 10am-5pm. Last entry 4pm. Please note the gates between the gardens and Morgaston Woods are locked at 4.30pm, so you'll need to make sure you're back in the gardens before then. Parking is free at The Vyne.
Times
The basics
- Suitability
Families welcome
- What to bring and wear
You'll need to dress for the weather and wear flat shoes.
- Accessibility
Hard gravel paths run through the gardens. For full accessibility information for the site, please visit nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/hampshire/the-vyne.
- Other
This event is part of Heritage Open Days.
Upcoming events
Pooch Passports
Pick up a Pooch Passport on your next dog walk; collect stamps from participating places on your days out and each full passport gains a special treat from our partners at Forthglade. Find out more and discover dog-friendly places to explore.
Regency Revisited - Celebrating Jane Austen 250
Discover Jane Austen’s links to The Vyne, her views on the Chute family and what Regency life, and love, was like for those living here at the time.
Jane Austen Tours of The Vyne
Join a one-hour tour and hear about the family’s interactions with Jane Austen.
Cream tea & talk: In conversation with...
Enjoy a cream tea in the tea-room before joining Lizzie Dunford, Director for Jane Austen’s House, Chawton and Joy Pibworth, longstanding member of the Jane Austen Society as they discuss Britain’s best-loved Regency author in the house at The Vyne.