King John's House and Museum

About the museum

King John's House and the neighbouring Tudor Cottage are the only surviving buildings of Church Court, a small group of properties in the centre of Romsey. The medieval house was once a building of high status and part of a larger complex, although its original purpose is not fully understood. Early features such as fine stonework, old roof timbers and graffiti scratched into medieval plaster can still be seen. Tradition links the house with King John, and it is believed to have formed part of Romsey Abbey. By the end of the nineteenth century the court had become a crowded slum and the house was a run-down building that appeared on no maps.

The museum tells the story of the house over some 800 years of continuous use and shows aspects of Romsey life in the Victorian and Edwardian periods. Its best-known display is a reconstructed gun shop on the upper floor, created with original fittings and goods from the Moody family, who ran the business from 13 Church Street. Next to it is a recreated parlour where visitors meet William Moody and his sister.

The buildings are cared for by a registered charity in partnership with Test Valley Borough Council. In February 2025 a serious fire badly damaged King John's House and caused smoke damage to Tudor Cottage. The museum has been closed since then while a restoration project is carried out, and the charity has received National Lottery Heritage Fund support for its plans. The historic gardens, laid out by volunteers on land that belonged to a Benedictine nunnery before the Dissolution, and the cafe remain open.

Highlights

• Grade I listed medieval hall with early stonework and roof timbers
• Reconstructed Moody family gun shop and Victorian parlour
• Timber-framed Tudor Cottage
• Volunteer-run historic gardens with pre-18th-century plants, a Victorian terrace and a fountain courtyard
• Cafe and tea room serving homemade cakes and loose-leaf tea

Operated by

Registered charity (no. 276961), in partnership with Test Valley Borough Council

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

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

The ground floors and the tea room can be reached by wheelchair or pushchair, and a platform lift serves the Moody museum building. There are handrails on the stairs to the medieval hall. The gardens have both gravel and paved paths. The buildings are old with low beams and uneven features, so visitors should take care.

Kids & families

A garden family day and other seasonal events are held from time to time.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on Church Street in the centre of Romsey.

Amenities & dining

• Café

The cafe serves homemade cakes, loose-leaf teas and coffee; on sunny days a pop-up service operates in the garden. The museum shop is closed together with the museum.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The cafe space can be hired for private events; please phone for details.

Plan your visit