King John's House
and
Tudor Cottage
Opening times:
Monday - Saturday - 10 am - 4 pm from end of May to end of September,
Saturdays and Bank Holidays in April
Fridays, Saturdays and Bank Holidays in May Saturdays in October
King John's House is an early medieval building, once part of a major complex. Its true age remained hidden for centuries until it was 'discovered' in 1927 by a local historian who thought he had found King John's hunting lodge (c1206 - known from royal records). Regrettably, specialists now believe it dates from the mid-13th century.
The origins of the house are now unknown, but some medieval visitors left their mark by incising heraldic graffiti into the plaster of the upper room. The House has been used for a variety of purposes since then; downstairs there are remains of a floor made from animal bones that date from before the 18th century, when the House was a local workhouse.
The timber-framed extension was added in the late Tudor or early Jacobean period.
The House is available for hire for meetings and private parties. Telephone: 01794 512200 Facilities:
Opening times: A focal point of the garden is a large courtyard, complete with pump and sheltered by the surviving spine wall of the 18th century cottages. This is being used at various times for a range of activities, including plant sales, quilt stretching, poetry reading and, most ambitiously, a Shakespearean production. King John's house now has its own WEBSITE HERE Friends Of King John's Garden - King John's House and Tudor Cottage Trust Ltd
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King John's Garden
The garden is open to the public all year round from 10 am - 4 pm at no charge. (Not Sundays)
The land behind King John's House was part of the medieval holding, but was only acquired for the Trust in 1991. The garden is thus very new. It is run by a sub-committee under the title "Friends of King John's Garden". The aim has been to create a period garden reflecting the historic significance of the site, where there were once 18th century cottages as well as the remaining medieval stone house and its timber-framed extension. Flowers, shrubs and trees are researched to ensure that they are compatible with these buildings. The garden is level with wide gravel paths leading from flowery meads to a waterside garden and on to a herb garden and more formal flower beds, all featuring plants known in this country before the early 1700s.
13 Church Street, Romsey, Hampshire
Charity No.276961
King John's House