The Vyne

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The Vyne, outskirts of Basingstone, was built as a great Tudor “power house’ which has been managed by the National Trust.

The manor house was initially built in the 16th century, and was resided in by the Lord Sandys, who was the Henry VIII’s Chamberlain. Later on, the manor house became a family home, cherished by the Chute family for more than 350 years. Dramatic changes of the rooms and furniture were made over the years. The house is filled with an eclectic mix of fine furniture, portraits, textiles, and sculptures.

Visitors are asked to enter the Stone Gallery, western edge of the house. The first showroom is the Vestibule where the Shute family used to invite their guests who had been crossing over the bridge. Next to the Reception, you will find the Palladian style staircase decorated with white busts and fringes on the blue painted walls.

Visitors can look round the Dining Room, Drawing Room, Library, Tapestry Room, and Bedroom, all of which are filled with the collection of furniture, artworks, ceramics, and carpets which were purchased by the Shute family.

Don’t forget to visit the Tudor Chapel, on the eastern edge of the house which was once visited by Henry VIII and used as a place of worship by the Shute family. There is an outstanding picture displayed at the Chapel. There are a series of vaulted arches and flying buttresses, large windows, and figures of St Luke and St Mark drawn on the picture. John Shute evidently liked the Gothic style architecture and thus put the picture in the Tudor Chapel.

The Oak Gallery above the Stone Gallery, illustrates the time when the Vyne was visited by Henry VIII three times in the Tudor period. Oak panels are one of the best in Britain. One of the bedrooms on the first floor was apparently used by Henry VIII.

Don’t miss the outstanding tapestry of the details of the Greek story of Dido and Aeneas displayed in the Tapestry Room.

The Vyne possesses beautiful and peaceful garden and grounds. There is a summerhouse which was believed to be built in the 16th century. There are a number of borders and walled garden which was once introduced on the garden programme recently.

It is also worth exploring the grounds with an ornamental lake, delightful woodlands, flourishing wetlands, and a rich haven for wildlife and waterfowl. There are waymarked footpaths going through the above places and you can observe the wildlife and waterfowl from the bird hide.

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Comments

[Cg]

nice
V interesting to know the history of the Vyne.