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.
Welcome to Vann Garden, a renowned five-acre garden located in the Surrey countryside near Godalming. This garden features a series of 'rooms' with unique designs, including the Water Garden by Gertrude Jekyll and the Centenary Garden.
Opening Times
The garden is open on selected days during Spring and early Summer from 10am to 4pm. Specific open days are highlighted in the provided calendar. Days marked in yellow are promoted by the National Garden Scheme.
Admission
Admission is £10 per person, payable on-site in cash only. A guidebook is available for £2.50.
Facilities and Accessibility
- Free parking is available in the field south of the main house. Coaches must arrange parking in advance.
- Limited lavatory facilities are available, not suitable for wheelchair access.
- Disabled visitors are welcome, but some areas may be inaccessible, especially in wet conditions. Special parking arrangements can be made in advance.
- Picnics are allowed in the car park field but not in the garden.
- Photography is allowed for personal use; commercial use requires prior arrangement.
Events
On Saturday, 5 July 2025, Troubadour Theatre will present The Odyssey in two performances at 1pm and 6pm. Tickets are £24 for adults and £22 for children, with early bird discounts available until 1 June.
Private Tours and Venue Hire
Private garden tours for groups of 15 or more are available from April to September by prior arrangement. The garden and its facilities can also be hired for events such as weddings and corporate gatherings.
Volunteering
Vann Garden welcomes volunteers to assist with gardening and event preparation. Volunteers commit to at least three hours per visit, typically on Thursday mornings.
For more information, please contact Vann Garden directly.
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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