A disappointing visit to the Vyne

Dear Editor,

I thought you might like to know about a visit to The Vyne last Saturday (7 May), which was disappointing in several ways.

On arrival we were told that the upper floor was closed due to lack of volunteers, so not only did we not see those rooms but we were unable to fully appreciate the amazing staircase. And they did not tell us that much of the downstairs was also closed – everything to the left of the entrance. This meant we were only able to see a small proportion of the interior. If volunteers are in short supply it would be better to have guided tours – we hate guided tours, but at least we could have seen the whole house. We had arranged a weekend in Hampshire specifically to visit The Vyne; if the NT website had indicated that much of the house was shut we would have changed our plans.

There was no guidebook – they were waiting for a delivery from the printers. There was minimal information in the rooms, just a few boards with very basic details. You were not even told which room you were in. Luckily we had a guidebook from a previous visit many years ago; otherwise the only resource would have been to ask the volunteers who, as always, were eager to engage one in conversation. The volunteers were friendly and knew their stuff, but we do not all want to have to talk to them. Surely they could have run off some photocopies with basic details about the house while they were waiting for the guidebook delivery?

We had to book a parking space, but when we arrived there was plenty of space – the construction project which is the reason for the reduced capacity for cars has not yet begun. It is really irritating to have to book in advance and turn up at a specific time, especially when there is no good reason.

The house and grounds are presented as very much something for families and for walkers. This is fair enough; and there were plenty of both, clearly enjoying themselves. But the "jolly" notices – with inane remarks by 'Brian the Bookworm', or commanding visitors to "close your eyes and feel the breeze on your face" – are an irritation.

In its favour, the Vyne has a good cafe and very good secondhand bookshops, and the grounds are very attractive.

Ann Hudson
Chichester, West Sussex