St John Medieval Museum and Coningsby Hospital

About the museum

The site on Widemarsh Street in Hereford was first held by the Knights Hospitaller of St John, who were granted land outside the city walls in 1190 and had their house here from about 1200. Next to it stood the Priory of the Dominican friars, begun in 1322. After the Dissolution of the monasteries, the Priory and the Hospitaller house passed to Sir Thomas Coningsby of Hampton Court in Herefordshire.

Around 1614 Coningsby built almshouses here from stone taken from the demolished Priory. They formed three sides of a quadrangle and housed ex-servicemen, a corporal and a chaplain, who wore red uniforms. The fourth side held the chapel, a hall and an infirmary. The buildings are still used as almshouses; the cottages were refurbished in 1984 for six tenants, who no longer wear the red uniforms.

The former communal hall and the first-floor infirmary now form a museum that explains the links between the Crusades, the Knights Templar and the Hospitaller knights. It shows armour on loan from the Royal Armouries in Leeds, a diorama of events in the history of Malta, and a skeleton that was found when the floor was relaid in the early 1970s. The 13th-century chapel is still used by the Order of St John, and a monthly service takes place there. Beside the museum are the remains of the Blackfriars monastery and a rose garden containing a 14th-century preaching cross.

Highlights

• Museum on the Crusades and the Knights Hospitaller
• 13th-century chapel of the Knights of St John, still in use
• Armour on loan from the Royal Armouries
• Skeleton displayed in its grave under the floor
• Blackfriars ruins and a 14th-century preaching cross in the rose garden

Permanent exhibition

• St John Medieval Museum – Displays on the Crusades, the Knights Templar and the Hospitaller knights, with armour, a diorama of Malta and a skeleton found under the floor.

Operated by

Coningsby Hospital Charitable Trust

Admission & discounts

The museum website does not publish admission prices.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Guide dogs are permitted. Part of the museum is on the first floor, in the former infirmary.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

From the town centre, walk down Widemarsh Street and cross the ring road; the museum is on the right just after Coningsby Street.

Amenities & dining

The Blackfriars rose garden is next to the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit