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The Vyne, Hampshire

The Vyne is a sixteenth century house set in an extensive country park. It was originally built for William Sandys, Lord Chamberlain of Henry the Eighth's household. There is a large Tudor chapel in which Renaissance stained glass can be viewed. This chapel, which came into use in 1527 started out celebrating the catholic mass, reflecting the fact that Henry was a good catholic. William Sandys soon found himself having to quickly convert the chapel to the protestant faith after the break with Rome in 1532. Henry needed to change the religion of the country to allow his divorce from Catherine of Aragon. This event was to have a huge influence on English history, and the chapel at the Vyne sat on this historical watershed.

By the 1700s the Vyne had passed into the hands of the Chute family. The novelist Jane Austen and her sister Cassandra used to come to the Vyne in the late 1700s to attend dances and play cards. Jane played cards with Thomas Chute, son of the owner William John Chute. Wandering through the drawing rooms I talked to a National Trust guide who described the furniture pushed back against the walls, giving room for the youngsters to have their dances. The rooms are actually not as big as you'd think looking at the house from the outside. There is no extravagant ballroom. The dances Jane attended here were rather intimate little affairs. I couldn't help recalling dances at my parents' house in the 1970s, where furniture was also pushed back against the walls, and people would listen to Joe Loss and his orchestra, and do the Hokey Kokey. The time would come when Jane was forced to leave her nearby home in Steventon, and live for ten years in Bath. She attended a number of more lavish balls here, but she missed the friendliness of her time attending dances at the Angel Inn Assembly Room in Basingstoke, and at the Vyne. I can sympathise. I miss Joe Loss.

Jane Austen was also friendly with Thomas Chute's adoptive daughter Caroline Wiggit. Well to do families in the eighteenth century sometimes adopted young girls, to look after them in their old age. Caroline was in this position, and she inspired the character of Fanny Price in Mansfield Park. There is a pencil drawing of Caroline above the door to the second bedroom.

For those who enjoy the novels of Jane Austen, the Vyne holds many echoes of the grander locations in her books.

There are beautiful walks in the grounds.

Opening Times: The house is open from 15th March to 2nd November 2008, 11am - 5pm Saturday and Sunday and from 17th March to 29th October 1pm - 5pm, Monday to Wednesday. The grounds, shop and restaurant are open 11am to 5pm during this period. For large groups please book an appointment.

Directions: The Vyne is four miles north of Basingstoke, between Bramley and Sherborne St John. Follow the A340 towards Tadley. Turn right into Morgasten Road. The car park will be on the right. Click here for an interactive map centred on the Vyne.

Access: ground floor is accessible, but other floors can only be reached by stairs. There is a photograph album tour. There are steep slopes in the grounds. Adapted toilet facilities are available. There is a Braille and large print guide, and a hearing loop in reception, shop and restaurant.

Contact:

telephone: 01256 883858

www.nationltrust.org.uk