The Vyne

New entrance to the house at The Vyne January 2017

Here's where to find the new entrance to the house. We hope you enjoy the new ground floor layout inside.

The Vyne was once a Tudor palace owned by Henry VIII's Lord Chamberlain, William Sandys. Today, we're saving The Vyne from falling into disrepair; a major roof project began in October 2016 that will see the roof completely re-tiled.

Inside the house, you can explore the visit of Henry VIII with Anne Boleyn in 1535. You'll also learn about dedicated Victorian owner, William Wiggett Chute, who was the last person to carry out major roof repairs from 1842.

For more information, please visit:

The day off...

Cameron, Alex & Sasunnach have a day off. Coffee in Arlesford and a walk in the Vyne woods.

GRAPEVYNE June: Is this the ring that inspired Tolkien?

The latest in a series of monthly updates on The Vyne Estate, looking at what's new, hidden gems, popular highlights and forthcoming attractions at the historic National Trust house, garden and woodland in Sherborne St John, North Hampshire.
In this episode, Martin Parsons speaks to Karen Webb about a new exhibition there, which speculates as to whether a Roman gold ring is in fact the very one which inspired author J.R.R. Tolkien...
Narrated by Martin Parsons, Presenter & History Broadcaster
Produced for the National Trust by Honalee Media Ltd.

GRAPEVYNE September: Saving Sandham

The latest in a series of monthly updates from The Vyne Estate, looking at what's new, hidden gems, popular highlights and forthcoming attractions at the historic National Trust house, garden and woodland in Sherborne St John, North Hampshire.

This episode looks beyond The Vyne itself to nearby Sandham Memorial Chapel, dedicated to Harry Sandham, home to Stanley Spencer's unique paintings and the focus of the National Trust's Great War commemorations, for which funds are urgently needed ...

Produced by Honalee Media.

SAVING STANLEY SPENCER'S SANDHAM

The latest in a series of monthly updates from The Vyne Estate, looking at what's new, hidden gems, popular highlights and forthcoming attractions at the historic National Trust house, garden and woodland in Sherborne St John, North Hampshire.

This episode looks beyond The Vyne itself to nearby Sandham Memorial Chapel, dedicated to Harry Sandham, home to Stanley Spencer's unique paintings and the focus of the National Trust's Great War commemorations, for which funds are urgently needed ...

Produced by Martin Parsons for Honalee Media.

GRAPEVYNE February: Looking ahead with Dave Green & Martin Parsons

The first in a series of monthly updates on The Vyne Estate, looking at what's new, hidden gems, popular highlights and forthcoming attractions at the historic National Trust house, garden and woodland in Sherborne St John, North Hampshire. Starting with a look ahead at some of what the new season has in store with Property Manager Dave Green.
Presented by Martin Parsons
Produced by Honalee Media
honaleemedia.co.uk

Lost Basingstoke. Montage of Old Photos of Basingstoke.

Lost Basingstoke. Old Photos of Basingstoke. My home town in pictures. A montage of old photos of my home town Basingstoke

Situated in a valley through the North Downs at an average altitude of 88 metres (289 ft) Basingstoke is a major interchange between Reading, Newbury, Andover, Winchester, and Alton, and lies on the natural trade route between the southwest of England and London.

Basingstoke's expansion has absorbed much surrounding farmland and scattered housing, transforming it into housing estates or local districts. Many of these new estates are designed as almost self-contained communities, such as Lychpit, Chineham, Popley, Winklebury, Oakridge, Kempshott, Brighton Hill, Viables, South Ham, Black Dam, Buckskin and Hatch Warren. The M3 acts as a buffer zone to the south of the town, and the South Western Main Line constrains the western expansion, with a green belt to the north and north-east, making Basingstoke shaped almost like a kite. As a result, the villages of Cliddesden, Dummer, Sherborne St John and Oakley, although being very close to the town limits, are considered distinct entities. Popley, Hatch Warren and Beggarwood are seeing rapid growth in housing.

Basingstoke was among the towns and cities targeted during the Second World War, and suffered bomb damage including St Michael's Church. After the war, it had a population of 25,000. As part of the London Overspill plan, Basingstoke was rapidly developed in the late 1960s as an 'expanded town', along with places such as Harlow and Swindon. Basingstoke town centre was completely rebuilt. At this time many buildings of historic interest were replaced by a large red brick shopping centre and concrete multi-storey car park. Many office blocks and large estates were built, including a ring road.
The shopping centre, following money issues, was built in phases. The first phase was completed by the 1970s and was later covered in the 1980s, and was known as The Walks. The second phase was completed by the early 1980s, and became The Malls. The third phase was abandoned and the site was later used to build the Anvil concert hall.
Later that year, the Basingstoke Gazette launched its Basingstoke -- A Place to be Proud of campaign, aimed at changing people's perception of the town. The campaign is ongoing (as of June 2011) and marked by the presentation of annual awards to individuals, organisations or businesses nominated by the public for commendable local achievement. As a mark of the improving image of the town as place to live, the borough entered the top 50 best places to live in the 2011 Halifax survey at number 47.


Festival Place shopping centre.

The central part of the shopping centre was rebuilt in 2002 and reopened as Festival Place. This has bought a dramatic improvement to shoppers' opinions of the town centre, but it is unclear if it has softened the town's overall image.
Further work to improve the image of the town continues with the latest Central Basingstoke Vision project coordinated by the Borough Council.
In the mid-1990s, numerous reports described sightings of the Beast of Basingstoke, a big cat believed to be a lion or a puma, possibly two. Local legend suggests the animal was shot and killed, although no official news sources document any capture or killing of the beast.
During the severe snow storms of December 2009, Basingstoke and the surrounding area was one of the worst hit regions in the UK, where an estimated 3000 motorists were forced to abandon their vehicles around the town and on the ring road during the evening rush hour of the 21st

GRAPEVYNE April: Visitors & Volunteers with Martin Parsons

The third in a series of monthly updates on The Vyne Estate, looking at what's new, hidden gems, popular highlights and forthcoming attractions at the historic National Trust house, garden and woodland in Sherborne St John, North Hampshire.
This episode, sharing some memories of The Vyne with its visitors and volunteers.
Presented by Martin Parsons
Produced by Honalee Media
honaleemedia.co.uk

GRAPEVYNE May: Volunteer Simon Hemans with Martin Parsons

The latest in a series of monthly updates on The Vyne Estate, looking at what's new, hidden gems, popular highlights and forthcoming attractions at the historic National Trust house, garden and woodland in Sherborne St John, North Hampshire.
In this episode, Martin Parsons speaks to Simon Hemans about his experiences of volunteering at The Vyne, having joined the thousands of National Trust volunteers across the country.
To follow in his footsteps and for more information about volunteering, follow the Volunteers link at nationaltrust.org.uk
Produced by Honalee Media
honaleemedia.co.uk

The Vyne - A Tolkien-inspired experience for children

A brand new playground at the National Trust's Vyne Estate in north Hampshire aims to widen the appeal of this fascinating historic site. 'The Hidden Realm' is inspired by the magical and mythical landscapes of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novels, while a neighbouring exhibition speculates as to whether a Roman gold ring found nearby is itself the very one which inspired the author's fantasy fiction...
Produced for the National Trust by Martin Parsons at Honalee Media Ltd.

GRAPEVYNE March: Trainee Alison Cross with Martin Parsons

The second in a series of monthly updates on The Vyne Estate, looking at what's new, hidden gems, popular highlights and forthcoming attractions at the historic National Trust house, garden and woodland in Sherborne St John, North Hampshire. This episode, a look at the Trust's Traineeship Scheme with Alison Cross.
Presented by Martin Parsons
Produced by Honalee Media
honaleemedia.co.uk

GRAPEVYNE July: Unearthing Silchester with Professor Michael Fulford & Martin Parsons

The latest in a series of monthly updates on The Vyne Estate, looking at what's new, hidden gems, popular highlights and forthcoming attractions at the historic National Trust house, garden and woodland in Sherborne St John, North Hampshire.
In this episode, Martin Parsons speaks to Professor MIchael Fulford about the annual excavations at nearby Silchester, where The Vyne ring was unearthed...
Produced by Honalee Media.

Event Entertainment London | Tel: 020 8660 6647

Event Entertainment London

Prelude has been a leading provider of outstanding entertainment and event management since 1984. Our depth of experience and extensive range of both traditional artists and dynamic young talent ensures unequalled service together with the choice of the finest acts available today.

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Vyne Road
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St. John
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TEL: 44 (0)20 8660 6647