A Welsh naturalist and travel writer who corresponded with Gilbert White is the subject of a temporary exhibition at Gilbert White’s House and Gardens in Selborne.

Curious Minds explores the letters exchanged between White and Thomas Pennant, who lived from 1726 to 1798 and is mentioned in White’s book The Natural History of Selborne.

Pennant is one of two correspondents whose letters to White shape the book but he is not so well known now as he was when it was published in 1789.

Returning to the letters, and drawing on the Thomas Pennant collections at the Natural History Museum plus some illustrations, Curious Minds introduces Pennant’s work and explores the relationship between the two men through their words, images and examples of specimens they exchanged and discussed.

The exhibition is a collaboration between the Arts and Humanities Research Council-funded Curious Travellers Project, the Natural History Museum, and Gilbert White’s House and Gardens. It runs until June 22 and is open from 10.30am until 4pm.

Moths are among the array of creatures studied by White in his book and there will be a chance to see some of these sensitive indicators of the health of the natural environment when Gilbert White’s Field Studies Centre hosts a moth night on June 13 from 9pm until 11.30pm.

Moth lights will be set up and turned on at dusk, giving participants a chance to help identify any moths seen while also meeting other nocturnal life in the grounds - especially looking out and listening for owls and bats.

Any moths retained in the light lures will be examined in the morning and recorded on the Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre database to support scientific research into insect ecology.

A hot drink and biscuits will be available. For tickets, priced £10 (£7 under-19s), visit https://gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/event/moth-night/?event_date=2025-06-13