Happy New Year 🎉 Each year we begin with Gilbert's introduction to The Natural History of Selborne written on this day in 1788. We take a closer look at the Advertisement in the first episode of our Podcast The Natural Podcast of Selborne which will go live this coming Monday!

Plant of the Week 🌱 Mistletoe Viscum album (mistletoe) found on the apple trees around the garden. December 16, 1780 – A plant of missel-toe grows on a bough of the medlar: it abounds on my hedges on the maple. You can buy mistletoe from our garden in our gift shop!

December 10, 1775 – This epidemic disorder falls heavier on adults than children.

Introducing our new Podcast! 🎧 In The Natural Podcast of Selborne we take each letter of Gilbert White's book and interview a guest to take a deep dive into White's writing and what the state of nature is today! 🌱 A fortnightly relaxed discussion that will help us all 'Be More Gilbert' in 2026!

We had a wonderful time at our Christmas fair today!

✨ Notice anything different? 🌲 Our amazing floristry volunteers have been hard at work creating stunning festive displays throughout the 18th-century house. Today is only Day 1 of their decorating… and we still have Day 2 of magic to come! ✨

This Saturday is our Christmas Fair... maybe our favourite day of the year? 🎄 We will be shopping, drinking mulled wine, wassailing and enjoying many more Christmas Traditions! 🍷 Come and join us!

Plant of the week 🌱 Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens' (purple sage). Salvia officinalis was described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.

Our Eco Light Festival is packed with a whole range of glowing displays… so we thought we’d play a little game of I Spy! P.S. Head over to the link gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/.../. Our Black Friday deal is live until 3rd. Use the promo code BlackFridayEco at the check out.

Our annual Christmas Fair is on the 6th December. 🎄 We have stall for all your Christmas shopping, traditional entertainment like Wassailing and a Mummers Play as well as a good helping of Mulled Wine. Join us!

Plant of the Week 🌱 Common teasel or Dipsacus fullonum. Did you know that goldfinches can often be found on teasels in autumn to 'teasing' the seeds from the tops.

It's national tree week! 🌳 Find out what is happening near you here: treecouncil.org.uk/seasonal.../...

Home Educators Day- World Explorers 🦜 From the Rainforest to the African Savannah, Frank Oates travelled the world. Find out more about his story, encounter some of the creatures he met along the way and develop your own explorer skills. gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/event/home-e...

Timothy's Tots is back on the 25th November! 🐢 This week's theme is hibernation! Date: Autumn Term dates are: 25th November and 9th December. Times: Sessions run from 11am-12 noon fortnightly on Tuesdays in term time. gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/event/timoth...

Plant of the week 🌱 On the arch going into the Naturalist's garden is the coral honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens. It's still flowering due to the mild weather. May 23rd, 1775 Dutch-honeysuckles in high bloom.

Our Eco Light Festival can be a great experience for families with SEN. ✨ Go to our FB or Insta for more details or get in touch! [email protected]

A brand new addition to the Eco Light Festival 📷 Starts on the 20th November, get your tickets here: gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/event/eco-li...

November 15, 1785 – We find several pheasants in our walks. The hills thro’ the fog appeared like vast mountains.

Plant of the week! 🌱 This week's plant of the week is our gorgeous larch on Baker's Hill. Did you know larch trees are one of the few deciduous conifers in the UK? 🍂

Just under two weeks until our Eco Light Festival begins! Booking is essential so if you haven't already follow the link to get your tickets! gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/event/eco-li...

November 7, 1776 – The great fieldfare returns. Beetles abound every evening. Farmer Canning’s new barley-ricks smoke & ferment like hot-beds already.

We are launching a seasonal series of Nature Talks in 2026! These will be online, one for each season of the year with a fabulous speaker. Our Winter Talk is on the 20th January and our speaker will be Dr Kevin Butt, telling all about his fascinating study of the Earthworms in Gilbert's Garden! 🪱

Plant of the week 🌱 The purple crabapple Malus x purpura. Found in the Herb garden.

Yesterday was a special anniversary! On this day in 1758 Gilbert White made what is now his first surviving nature observation.

It's November! ✨ We are open for free today as it's photography day, so head down if you are free pop down! We are looking forward to warm drinks in the café, bracing walks through autumn leaves and of course a visit to the museum!

Happy Halloween 🎃

A little reminder that from Saturday (Nov 1st) we will be closing at 16:00. 🌝

Plant of the Week 🌱 Found by the greenhouse is the medlar - Mespilus germanica. (We have medlars out for sale in the stable yard) Oct 30th, 1772 Grass grows. Medlars shaken off the tree by the wind.

October 25, 1775 – The arbutus casts it’s blossoms & discloses the rudiments of its fruit. In theses two instances fructification goes on the winter through. Three martins in the street. Gossamer on every bent.

Tonight is Water Night! 💧 An initiative from @waterwiseuk se challenging us all to turn off our taps for one night between 5pm and 10pm to tackle water scarcity, protect the environment, and inspire change across the UK. Find out more: waterwise.org.uk/campaign/wat...

Half Term is nearly upon us! 🎃Our free Pumpkin trail starts from Saturday! 🕷Wild Wednesday is spider themed! 🦇And our Non-spooky twilight tales are all about bats! 📸We are open for free on the 1st for our photography day! Find out more here: gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/events-grid/

If you enjoyed listening to Jenny Uglow on BBC R4 Start the Week, please do visit us at Gilbert White’s Hampshire home @gilbertwhites.bsky.social for your own journey of discovery in his natural world & beautiful landscape.

October 21, 1775 – The storm on Thursday night tore all the remaining flowers to pieces. *With us the country people call coppices, or brush-wood, ris, or rice: now hris in Saxon signifies frondes, & is no doubt whence our provincial term originates.

Did you hear Jenny Uglow, the author of 'A Year with Gilbert White' on Radio 4's Start The Week this morning? The discussion was on Maps and Gilbert White and will be on again at 9pm tonight or available on BBC Sounds.

Plant of the week 🌱 Located by the historic fruit wall, the striking Nicandra physalode, also known as the Apple of Peru or Shoo-fly, adds a touch of South American flair to the 18th century English gardens.

Things are looking autumnal here at Gilbert White's House and Gardens. Golden leaves are sprinkled on the grass and paths. Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes have sprouted too! We thought we'd share some ideas of what you can do this autumn to connect with nature.

Twilight Tales 🦇 Stories, craft and a torch lit trail around the museum after hours. This year our theme is bats! Suitable for ages 4–11 👉https://gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/event/twilight-tales-2/... Date: 30th October Times: 4.30pm- 6pm Price: £8 adult £5 child

We still have some stallholder availability for our Christmas Fair on the 6th December. If you are interested please email [email protected]

Wild Wednesday: Spider Safari🕷 All things arachnid Wild Wednesdays are an hour of hands-on activities for children and their parents to experience local wildlife. Suitable for 5-11 year olds. gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/event/wild-w...

Oct 11th, 1775 Lowered the flower-bank in the garden, & laid it on a gentle slope, & filled it with flowers of various sorts.

Pumpkin Trail 🎃 The pumpkin trail is back! Pumpkins and gourds of all shapes sizes and colours will be placed in some unusual places around our gardens this Autumn Half Term– collect your Pumpkin Spotters guide and see how many you can find!

It's World Mental Health Day this Friday. In the UK, 1 in 4 adults experience a mental health problem each year. To support your wellbeing on the 10th October, we’re offering: One free tea or filter coffee when you bring a flask to the café 2 for 1 entry to our gardens #WorldMentalHealthDay

Calling all teachers! 👩‍🏫 A Nature Connected Curriculum A free workshop for KS1 & 2 Teachers, Teaching Assistants and Learning Support Assistants at Gilbert White Field Studies Centre. Find out more: gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/event/a-natu...

Plant of the week 🍐 Pear 'Passe Crasane' found in the herb garden, it originates from Rouen in Frances and can often be found in gourmet menus!

This Saturday the 4th October is 'No Disposable Cup Day'. Did you know that 2.5 billion disposable coffee cups are used in the UK each year which translates to approximately 7 million cups being discarded every single day. #NoDisposableCupDay

Happy October 🍂 We have some exciting events coming up this month! All out events can be found here: gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/events-grid/

Plant of the week 🌱 Found in the 6 Quarters this week, Aster (Michaelmas daisy). Aug 30th, 1772 Mich. Daisy begins to blow.

Did you know that Selborne has two streams one that joins the Wey and the Thames and one that joins the Arun? 'At each end of the village, which runs from south-east to north-west, arises a small rivulet: that at the north-west end frequently fails; but the other is a fine perennial spring.'

New for 2025! We are offering group discounts for our Eco Light Trail this year! Perfect for societies looking for a new experience or a festive work trip with a difference! We also have a youth group discount which could cover a Scout or Guiding group! gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/event/eco-li...

September 23, 1783 – Black snails lie out, & copulate. Vast swagging clouds.