Discover more at The Vyne
Find out when The Vyne is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Things to do in the garden at The Vyne
There are nine hectares of garden surrounding the house at The Vyne. Two lakes, a walled garden, formal garden and meadow along with lawns and a herbaceous border sit neatly inside this area. There is plenty for you to explore through the seasons, from the 17th-century summerhouse to a 600-year-old oak tree.
Winter in the garden
Winter is the busiest time for the garden team, as heavy-duty work can take place when wildlife activity is at its lowest. Hedges and woodland can be maintained with minimal impact on nature.
Look out for these winter highlights:
- Light mist hanging over the surface of the lake in the morning
- Robins flitting about on the soil in the summerhouse garden, their orange-red chests standing out against the wintry backdrop
- Coots, mallards, moorhens and little grebes punting across the lake, forming v-shaped ripples in their wake
The walled garden
Dating back to the 18th century, the walled garden houses a variety of fruit and vegetables as well as a dahlia border. An ambitious restoration programme restored the glasshouse and the fruit and vegetable beds to their former glory.
The summerhouse
Possibly the earliest domed garden building in England, the summerhouse dates from around 1635 and has been used as a banqueting house and a dovecote. Designed by John Webb and built in the shape of a Greek cross, it is one of two originally built.
Today, the remaining summerhouse is the focus of the formal garden with beds which reflect the shape of the structure itself. The bedding plants are chosen to complement the shades of the summerhouse during the seasons and the garden is enclosed by a yew hedge.
Hundred Guinea Oak
Frail but still standing, the Hundred Guinea Oak is now over 600 years old. William John Chute, who owned The Vyne in the late Georgian period, was offered £100 and later 100 guineas for the timber.
He flatly refused to sell the oak, which you can see for yourself at the top of the Lime Avenue.
Wild garden
Here, the informal layout gives the impression of a natural landscape that has emerged all by itself. Laden with seasonal colour, trees gently arc over the main path at intervals while the paths mown through the long grass bring you to the lakeside where you can spot waterfowl gliding across the lake.
Family activities in the garden
There are plenty of self-led trails around the estate for families to enjoy. Unfortunately ball games, frisbees, bikes, scooters and drones are not allowed on the estate. This is to prevent further damage to the house and grounds.
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Visiting The Vyne with your dog
The Vyne is a three pawprint rated place. Find out about bringing your dog to The Vyne where you can explore the gardens together.
Family-friendly things to do at The Vyne
Until 5 Jan, 'A Fairytale Christmas at The Vyne' showcases sparkling trees and magical scenes on the ground floor of the house. Discover The Snow Queen’s icy realm, Red Riding Hood’s cunning wolf, Rapunzel's golden braid cascading from a her tower and enchanting decorations inspired by Beauty and the Beast. A free family trail runs in the house and gardens. House ground floor open 11am-3pm, gardens 10am-4pm. 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐍𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭-𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞-𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭-𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞. Looking ahead to February half-term, don't miss the Pirate Puzzle Challenge in the gardens running 14-22 February, 10am-4pm.
Christmas at The Vyne
Open until 5 Jan 2026 inclusive re-live the magic of best-loved fairy tales. On the ground floor of the house discover The Snow Queen’s icy realm, Red Riding Hood’s cunning wolf and Beauty and the Beast's elegant tea set. A free family trail runs through the house and gardens. House ground floor open 11am-3pm, gardens 10am-4pm. 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐍𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭-𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞-𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭-𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞.
Eating and shopping at The Vyne
Enjoy a refreshment stop in the atmospheric tea-room at The Vyne. Festive menu highlights include turkey baps, Christmas cookies, mince pies, yule log and mince pie hot chocolate. Treat yourself to a gift in the shop or get comfy in the window seat while browsing pre-loved books.
Things to do in The Vyne house
Until 5 January 11am-3pm, immerse yourselves in the magic of best-loved fairy tales. Explore the ground floor of the house aglow with sparkling Christmas trees and atmospheric lighting. There are eight stories to discover. Free with usual admission. Collect timed tickets for house on arrival - no pre-booking. The Sandys and Chute families made The Vyne their home for over 500 years. They accumulated beautiful and important objects and made significant changes to the house during their lives. Come back after Christmas to enjoy the collection in opulent state rooms and humble servants’ quarters. Read on for more information.
Gardening tips
Discover our gardeners’ top tips so you can make the most of your garden, plot or window box.
