Gilbert White's House and Oates Museum

Gilbert White's House and Oates Museum

Gilbert White's House and Oates Museum
The Wakes
High Street
Selborne
Hampshire
GU34 3JH

Tel: 01420 511 275
E-Mail: info@gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk

Web: Gilbert White's House and Oates Museum

About Gilbert White's House and Oates Museum

Gilbert White was aged 7 or 8 when the White family moved from the Vicarage on Selborne's Plestor, to this house, called 'The Wakes' (named after the Wake family who had lived here previously). At that time the property would have been no more than a 'two up, two down' but over the subsequent years lots of extensions and additions have been made, creating the long sizeable house you see today.
The rooms have been restored following descriptions in White's own correspondence and include a chair he used at Oriel College, Oxford (loaned from the College), items of contemporary furniture, family portraits and bed hangings embroidered for him by his aunts. On display is the original manuscript of his book, The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne, which was purchased with generous help from English Heritage and others.
Few realise as they travel on the busy B3006 through the pretty village of Selborne, that behind the imposing frontage of Gilbert White's House, 'The Wakes', lies beauty, tranquillity and history in over 20 acres of ancient parkland and carefully restored gardens.
Visitors to the house and garden marvel at the quirky features, the glorious vistas and the creative planting which are delightful whatever the season or weather.
Gilbert White was an experimental, keen and enthusiastic gardener and elements he designed include the wine-pipe seat, the cut-out statue of Hercules and two hahas plus the herb garden, kitchen garden and 'six quarter'. 18th century planting ensures that the garden has much to offer the true plantsman but it can be equally enjoyed for its tranquility, simple charm and beauty.
The Oates Collection exhibits focus on the lives and adventures of two members of the Oates Family, both pioneers and explorers of the natural world.
Captain Lawrence Oates is best remembered as the brave Antarctic hero who was chosen to be part of Captain Robert Scott's team to undertake the epic journey of discovery to the South Pole 1911-12. The ill-fated expedition turned into a race for the pole when the explorers learnt of the presence of the Norwegian team led by Admundsen. Scott's team suffered inadequate food supplies, severe weather conditions and failing health so Oates sacrificed his life in the hope of saving his comrades, leaving the tent in a terrible blizzard with the famous last words "I am just going outside and may be some time." His body has never been found.
2012 marks the centenary of the Scott Antarctic Expedition and therefore the 100th anniversary of the death of Captain Lawrence Oates. Thanks to a National Lottery 'Your Heritage' grant, match funding by the United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust, generous donations and fundraising, the Lawrence Oates Gallery has been redesigned and is now open.
The new galleries tell the story of Oates's early life and his distinguished service in the Boer War - where he earned the nickname "No Surrender Oates" for refusing to surrender to a much superior Boer force. Most of the space in the galleries is devoted to the story of the Scott Expedition of 1910-12. The expedition was very well documented and photographed, and the new galleries have numerous artefacts, photographs and documents - many not seen before - from the expedition. A completely new section reflects the scientific importance and legacy of the Scott Expedition: almost all climate change science originates with the work done by Scott's scientific team.