The Vyne

The Vyne is a Grade I listed 16th-century country house in Hampshire. It stands in the parish of Sherborne St John, near Basingstoke. The house was first built between 1500 and 1510 in the Tudor style by William Sandys, 1st Baron Sandys. He served as Lord Chamberlain to King Henry VIII. In the 17th century, the house was transformed into a classical mansion. Today, it retains its Tudor chapel with contemporary stained glass. The house is notable for its classical portico on the north front. This was added in 1654 to the design of John Webb, a pupil of Inigo Jones. It is recognised as the first portico in English domestic architecture. In the mid-18th century, the house belonged to John Chaloner Chute. He was a close friend of Horace Walpole, the architectural pioneer. Chute designed the principal stair hall, which contains an imperial staircase. Visitors find a house with a Tudor chapel and a classical portico. The principal stair hall features an imperial staircase. The house is arranged around lawns and a lake. The oldest parts still display fine linenfold panelling. The setting includes 1124 acres of land managed by the National Trust.