Vann
This internationally renowned five-acre garden is formed by a series of rooms which surround and complement a family home dating from the 16th century.
Hambledon, Near Godalming, Surrey, GU8 4EF
Facilities
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Free parking
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Garden only
Unfortunately, large parts of our garden are inaccessible to wheelchairs or those with additional ability needs, but if you want to try, we would be delighted to welcome you. There is accessible parking available.
A five-acre English heritage Grade 2* listed garden which surrounds and complements a historic family home dating from the 16th Century, and added to every century since, giving a series of garden rooms of great variety, from the formal old ‘cottage garden’ at the front, with delightfully informal planting, continuing south past a hedge of sweet smelling azalea pontica, to a robust pergola of Bargate stone by W.D.Caröe, leading to the enlarged field pond.
The beautiful Water Garden by Gertrude Jekyll (1911) comprises a succession of small ponds crossed by stone paths and bridges, and planted with many damp-loving plants that she supplied, including ferns, leucojum, gaulteria, pulmonaria, trachystemon, peltaphyllum, rodgersia, caltha, and more recent re-planting with newer varieties of hosta, hemoracallis hellebores, and astilbe among others.
Heading north, a stream feeds the pond, running through the orchard and into the ‘Yew Walk’, enclosed by large yew hedges (1909) recently reduced in width. Originally planted as a rose garden the depredations of the wild deer have led us to remove the roses and re-plant with foliage plants to give round the year interest.
Three island beds have been made to give added interest in the old orchard and allow use of more ‘modern’ plants. Double borders have been created in the vegetable garden for the 150th Jekyll celebrations in 1992, the north border using her colour gradients, and an opportunity to use plants of special interest.
A crinkle-crankle wall behind the greenhouse supports newly replanted peaches and pears. A ‘centenary garden’ was created in 2008 to celebrate 100 years of the Caroe family resident at Vann with yew ‘pavilions’, seats locally made from our own planked oak, and floored with glass bottles to reflect the medieval glass-works in the adjacent Glasshouse Copse, with locally made metal arches for climbers.
The vegetable garden recently replanted as a jardin potager with yew divisions, and yew also used as a back-drop for the herb garden with topiary cats and a mouse!
Pre-booked groups are most welcome. We recommend 1-2 hours to visit the garden, all of which is open to the public. All groups (15 minimum) must be pre-booked – please contact [email protected].
Private group entry with owner’s talk – £15 per head.
Refreshments available for group visits including:
Morning tea, coffee or homemade elderflower cordial with home-made biscuits.
Lunch
Afternoon tea with home-made cakes.
Important information: opening info is generated by artificial intelligence; check specific attraction details before travelling.
The indicator above will show ‘open’ when the public have any kind of access to any part of this property. That could be the park, a shop, or a special event, and may not reflect regular admission times to the main attraction. Always consult the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling to check that the attraction you are interested in is open.
Vann Garden is a renowned five-acre garden located in the Surrey countryside near Godalming. It features a series of 'rooms' with diverse planting styles and historical significance, including contributions by Gertrude Jekyll and W.D. Caröe.
Opening Hours and Admission
The garden is open from 10am to 4pm on selected days during the Spring and early Summer. Admission is £10 per person, payable in cash only on-site. A guidebook is available for £2.50.
Visitor Information
- Disabled Access: While disabled visitors are welcome, some areas may be inaccessible or difficult to reach, especially in wet conditions. Special parking arrangements can be made in advance.
- Dogs: Only guide dogs are allowed in the garden. Dogs may be exercised on a lead in the car park field.
- Facilities: Limited lavatory facilities are available, not suitable for wheelchair access. Ample free parking is provided in a field south of the main house, with no parking allowed on the road. Coaches require prior arrangement for parking.
- Picnics: Picnics are not allowed in the garden but are permitted in the car park field. Visitors are requested to take their rubbish home.
- Photography: Personal photography is allowed. Commercial photography requires prior arrangement and a facilitation fee.
- Refreshments: Homemade tea, cakes, and biscuits are available on some days. Visitors are advised to call ahead to confirm availability.
Special Events
Open-air Theatre: On Saturday, 5 July 2025, Troubadour Theatre will present two performances of The Odyssey at 1pm and 6pm. Doors open 30 minutes before each performance. Tickets are £24 for adults and £22 for children, with early bird discounts available until 1 June 2025. Early access and picnicking are available for an additional £10 per person.
Open Days
The garden's open days are highlighted in green or yellow on the provided calendar. Yellow-highlighted days are promoted by the National Garden Scheme. The garden is open on these days from 10am to 4pm.
Historic Houses members visit free except on NGS open days.
Gardens only – house is not open to public.
Adult £10.00
Children free
Private visits can be organised by prior appointment. Contact [email protected]
Unfortunately, large parts of our garden are inaccessible to wheelchairs or those with additional ability needs, but if you want to try, we would be delighted to welcome you. There is accessible parking available.
Getting here
Hambledon, Near Godalming, Surrey, GU8 4EF
2 miles off the A283 at Chiddingfold, left up Skinners Lane and left again in to Vann Lane for 1.2 miles. The house on the right.
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