Heritage Open Weekend 2026
12-13 Sep: Visit The Vyne for free, no booking needed. Already a member? Bring friends for free. Families can enjoy fun games on the north lawn. In the house, see experienced lace makers at work.
- Booking not needed
- Free event (admission applies)
Once an important Tudor palace, this atmospheric mansion has some illustrious connections, from Henry VIII to Jane Austen. Outside, acres of wildlife-rich gardens, meadows and woods create a wonderful space for relaxation and exploration, while the natural play space gives children freedom to let their imaginations take them on fantasy adventures. Sweeping lawns offer lakeside picnicking, and a short stroll reveals a cosy bird hide overlooking the water meadows.
10am-5pm: Families can enjoy games and activities such as sack race, music stations, dress up and stage storybooks, balance beams, giant chess and more.
11am-3pm: In the house see experienced lace makers at work , learn about the history of lace in Britain, and discover how this intricate textile tradition which is now listed as an Endangered Craft has shaped communities for more than four centuries.
Visitors will also be given the opportunity to have a go themselves and will have the chance to handle tools and materials.
The Lace Guild, the UK's leading organisation dedicated to the preservation and the promotion of bobbin lacemaking, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Times
Prices
Event ticket prices
This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.
Check admission pricesThe basics
- Accessibility
There is a ten-minute walk along hard gravel paths between Visitor Reception and The Vyne. A volunteer-run buggy service operates along this route subject to availability.
- Meeting point
Entry via Visitor Reception.
- Suitability for children
Families welcome
- What to bring and wear
You'll need to dress for the weather and wear walking shoes.
Upcoming events
Summer of Play
This summer, the whole family can enjoy games and activities together in The Vyne's gardens.
Exhibition: “Taste, Design, and the Georgian Gentleman”
In this house-wide exhibition, discover the legacy of Georgian owner of The Vyne, John Chute. Uncover John’s influence on and vision for the house and its interiors, positioning The Vyne as a centre of cultivated taste and personal expression.
Vyne Line 2026
Free shuttle service between Basingstoke Train Station and The Vyne. Pre-booking essential.
Tour: ‘Taste, Design, & the Georgian Gentleman’
Wednesdays & Saturdays 3-4pm until 1 November: While a house-wide exhibition explores The Vyne’s Georgian design history, this hour-long biweekly tour takes a deeper dive into the life and legacy of style connoisseur John Chute.