Gilbert White's House

Acclaimed throughout the world for his innovative approach to the study of natural history, the Reverend Gilbert White's book, 'Natural History & Antiquities of Selborne', has not been out of print since it was first published in 1789, and the original manuscript is displayed in the Bell Library of the house.

The Oates Memorial Museum and the Gilbert White Museum are both incorporated in the former home of Gilbert White, an appealing and spreading house known as 'The Wakes'. Situated at one end of the High Street in the tiny village of Selborne, the original house dates from the 16th century, but was extensively altered and enlarged some 200 years later when Gilbert White inherited the property he had grown up in. The house, purchased by Professor Bell in 1844, was further extended when he built a library, currently used for part of an exhibition devoted to White's work.

During White's occupation the house would have been very dark and drab, and this environment has been authentically recreated to provide visitors with an understanding of the difficult conditions under which this great naturalist produced his brilliant work. Only a few pieces of furniture in the house actually belonged to Gilbert White, with the majority of items having been installed to give the flavour of an 18th century gentleman's home.

On the first floor, and at the opposite end of the house to the bedchamber, is a large gallery housing exhibitions about two members of the Oates' family, both young men whose adventurous lifestyles cut short their lives. Firstly, Captain Lawrence Oates, most noted for his expedition to the South Pole with Captain Scott, and his final declaration to his companions, "I am just going outside, I may be some time". With all five members of that notorious expedition dying in tragic circumstances, the photographs, documents and various relics on show are quite moving. Lawrence's uncle, Frank Oates, was a naturalist and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, whose ambition was to see the Victoria Falls. Achieving this ambition also cost him his life, but his important collection of natural history specimens gathered during the journey were saved, and are now displayed in the museum.

The union of Gilbert White and the Oates family was purely coincidental, although now seen together seems an entirely natural course of events. Robert Washington Oates was attempting to find a suitable venue in which to display his family memorabilia at the same time that 'The Wakes' was being offered as a memorial to Gilbert White. A mutually beneficial arrangement meant that all three celebrated men could be commemorated under one roof.

Externally, the front of the house appears to comprise of the usual village tea shop, a small cottage, and a bookshop all joined together - which indeed it is - but the rear of the property presents a thoroughly charming picture of an olde worlde country cottage with large, rambling grounds. This is a delightful house surrounded by splendid, historical countryside which White spent a lifetime investigating, and a great deal of manual effort improving. For the visitor who has energy to burn after seeing the house, climbing the long, steep 'zig zag path' dug by Gilbert White should easily solve that issue, but the marvellous views are worth it.