Celebrate your special day in our idyllic setting, beneath the Selborne Hanger of the South Downs National Park. Gilbert White & The Oates Collections provides the perfect British country venue with a variety of informal yet distinctive spaces to hire for your ceremony, reception or party. Gilbert White’s House is set amid thirty acres of heritage gardens and parkland. Steeped in history, the whole retains a charm and serenity quite of its own.
Gilbert White's provides a number of different ceremony locations. Our 16th century Hampshire Barn for larger ceremonies or the Great parlour for intimate ceremonies. For an outdoor licensed ceremony our bandstand provides a wondeful space with amazing views for you and your guests. For alternative ceremonies there are multiple settings within our grounds whether surrounded by wild flowers or within our woodland copse.
Enjoy your day in the 16th century Hampshire Barn, with glorious views over tranquil meadows, or for a more intimate ceremony, the historic house – former home of famous naturalist Gilbert White. Indulge in a Champagne reception on the formal lawn – perfect too for enjoying chamber music. The Great Mead affords a charming location for a outdoor reception. Whether this is a marquee, tipi, bell tent etc you will be surrounded by meadow with views to the house and across parkland. From June to August our vintage pole and canvas marquee is available for your use set within our heritage meadow.
Whichever location you prefer, the heritage setting affords unique photo memories. We only accommodate one wedding per weekend in order to guarantee you exclusive use of our venue, as well access the day preceding for the purposes of setting up and to enable you clearing away time on the following day.
Reviews for Gilbert White & The Oates Collections
Recommended by 100% of couples
Rachel Davidson · Married on 05/09/2020
Wedding on 5th September 2020
We had initially planned a full ceremony and reception at Gilbert White's on the 5th Sept, although we quickly realised it probably wasn't going to be as we had initially planned! We decided to go ahead with a smaller ceremony for 30 people, and we're so glad we did!
Sent on 09/09/2020
The venue is beautiful, the barn itself is stunning, and the meadow and gardens around the house are so lovely- great for photos.
Charlotte was our point of contact and the events organiser, she was super helpful and really responsive. She really helped us through the slightly tricky process of planning a wedding through a pandemic! She was really relaxed and friendly, but was clear on what the new guidelines were which really helped us plan it all safely, but most importantly still have fun!
She helped us arrange lots of little extra touches, like printing our own labels for beers for our wedding favours, recommending suppliers and being really flexible with us coming in to decorate etc.
If you're after something more personal and unique then I can't recommend them highly enough. Beautiful venue in stunning surroundings, and you get a responsive and really personal service- we're so happy we went ahead with our ceremony.
Laura · Married on 07/12/2019
Barn Birthday Party
I arranged a joint birthday party at the Barn at Gilbert White's
Sent on 23/12/2019
House, in December, at quite short notice. The staff were absolutely
fantastic, they arranged everything for us from tables and tablecloths
to a sound system, all included in the price. The venue looked
beautiful, and Ellie kindly came down that morning to help us add some
extra decorations. The chef, Jo, put together a selection of delicious
food options at very reasonable prices, and we eventually chose a
shared starter and "fork buffet". There were a wide range of options
to suit everyone, and the food was widely complimented (and the staff
kindly packaged up the leftovers for us to take home!). The staff on
the night were all fantastic, everyone had drinks at all times, but
they were very discreet. Several of our guests commented
(independently) to us that it was "the best party we've ever been to".
We couldn't have been more delighted.
Lynne & Michael · Married on 03/07/2019
Great Parlour Wedding
We had an amazing wedding in the Great Parlour which had a wonderful historic atmosphere and made an intimate setting for our small wedding. Having the string trio perform during the ceremony was perfect for the setting. The drinks reception in the garden with them playing outside was wonderful.
Sent on 10/02/2020
Thank you for all your help on the day and with planning. It is such a special place and we have many happy memories to take forward.
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