King John's House

General information

Located in one of Romsey’s oldest thoroughfares, Romsey Heritage Centre encompasses three buildings that contain 750 years of history.

Dating from the 13th Century, King John’s House was once the main building in a major medieval complex. Visitors can see many early features, including the roof timbers, graffiti cut into the medieval plaster and a rare bone floor.

The Tudor cottage is a late Tudor/early Jacobean timber-framed house. The room on the upper floor has now been furnished to give a flavour of the period, while the lower room is Miss Moody’s Tudor Tea Room.

The Victorian museum features aspects of Romsey life during the Victorian and Edwardian period. The ‘old gunshop’ has been reconstructed upstairs, using original fixtures, fittings and display items, while William Moody and his sister wait to greet you in the recreated parlour in the room behind.

The history of the site of King John’s House’s gardens can be traced back to the late 1530s when King Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries. Then, King John’s House and the surrounding land belonged to the Romsey Benedictine nunnery.

Now, this area has been transformed into a series of beautiful gardens by a group of dedicated volunteers, who have created a welcoming oasis in the middle of town.

Pre-18th-Century plants flourish in the main garden, along with a Victorian terrace and a fountain courtyard.

We also offer a range of fun events and activities at King John’s House and Heritage Centre, including regular antiques valuations, art exhibitions, talks and craft workshops. Visit our event page to see what’s coming up.