There are all sorts of ways to source vintage and antiques. But making a day of it in the walled garden of an 18th century manor house has to be one of the most enjoyable ways to go shopping. Elise McGreevy-Harris’ next White Door Brocante will be taking place on Thursday 24 April 2025 in the romantic wisteria-clad greenhouses and orchard at West Green House Gardens in North Hampshire. Spring should be in full swing by then – just the ticket for a good day out!

The White Door Brocante

Although previous White Door Brocantes have taken place in evocative locations such as an 18th century barn and village cricket club pavilion, it has always been antiques dealer Elise‘s dream to combine her love of selling antiques within a pretty garden and greenhouse setting. A concept she has long admired at Petersham Nurseries.

Elise says she was so delighted when she came across West Green House Gardens with its beautiful gardens and Courtyard Tea Room. It is situated in a lovely bit of countryside, 30 minutes from Reading near Hartley Wintney in Hampshire, an area that’s easily accessible from London and the South East.

“West Green House Gardens is such a perfect venue for showcasing our stallholders’ vintage and antiques wares. We really can’t wait to share the magic of the place with customers,” says Elise. The ticket price of £8 will also give free access to wander the extensive gardens that include three walled gardens, follies, a classical-style fountain and lake.

West Green House Gardens

Owner of West Green House Gardens is Marylyn Abbott, a renowned Australian garden designer. Marylyn’s twin passions for English gardens and international opera has created a unique environment at West Green with a variety of events including its outdoor opera productions.

The Telegraph newspaper has included West Green’s 18th-century walled garden in their ‘Best Walled Gardens to Visit’ whilst the garden is also sometimes referred to as the ‘opera garden’.

White Door Brocante stallholders

For this year’s White Door Brocante, Elise has curated 22 inspiring stallholders from around the country and says that we can “expect to find a beautiful array of decorative antiques and vintage goods including gardenalia and textiles. Many items will be under £100.”

I love this kind of sourcing/shopping as you can chat about its provenance and it is so satisfying not just for the sustainability but also for the individual style you can create.

Here is just a taste of the vintage and antique style we can look forward to seeing from White Door Brocante stallholders:

Time, date and directions

The White Door brocante will be open from 10 am to 3 pm on Thursday 24 April 2025 at West Green House Gardens, Thackham’s Lane Nr. Hartley Wintney, Hook, Hampshire, RG27 8JB.

The Courtyard Tea Room

The Courtyard Tea Room will be open from 10 am to 4 pm for a seasonal menu, specialising in locally grown ingredients for light lunches and teas, featuring homemade cakes, biscuits and local ice cream, with a selection of teas, coffees, soft drinks and wines.

Just the ticket

Tickets for the brocante are available either on the door or in advance via Eventbrite at The White Door Brocante at £8 each. The ticket includes free entrance to the gardens and free parking.

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Shop the blog

A pretty 19th Century English pink lustreware side plate is avilable in my online vintage shop. There is no maker’s mark but this floral and leaf design plate glints nicely in the light. It is 19 cm diameter and is £18 plus £5 shipping from my Etsy shop.

Thank you

Thank you so much for reading about this spring date for your diary!

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With best wishes, Charis x