King John's House and Museum — Attraction in Test Valley

Probably the oldest house in Romsey. The current main building was built around 1256, which is forty years after the death of King John, so it could never have been his house. But we know that he did build an earlier hunting lodge near Romsey, so some of the timber and fine stone may be from that earlier building. The west end of Romsey Abbey had just been completed around 1250, and within a few decades the building was given to the Abbey by Henry II to use ASA guest house and infirmary.

Small rooms downstairs, with a large beamed hall upstairs. A Tudor cottage extension was added later (now a traditional English tea room), with recreated old gardens outside. On the same site a Victorian brick building houses the Romsey Visitor Centre and a small museum of local trades and family life.

Normally an entrance fee, but I visited during a free local artists exhibition, so some of the normal displays were...

Yesterday my sister and I called in to the tea rooms for morning coffee and had a most unpleasant experience. We had ordered our drinks and then decided we would like lunch there as it was such a pleasant setting. However, I was spoken to in the most rude manner by one of the staff who appeared disgruntled and in a flap. I was told not to come into the shop area, 'All orders are taken outside". At which point she turned her back on me and walked away. Maybe they are, but as there is no clear signage to this effect, how are people supposed to know and there is no excuse for such bad manners. If this is how your customers are treated I am surprised anyone ever goes back there. I certainly shall not...

A little known jewel in the heart of Romsey. This wonderful living museum, teashop, garden is tucked around the back of the central Romsey opposite the Abbey. Once discovered never forgotten, the gardens are beautiful with all tear round something to see. The teashop is so pretty with indoor and outdoor seating, friendly staff and a good range of food and drink. The museum itself gives a good history of Romsey and the King John building and area. If you go on certain days you can see costumed people showing what the King John House and gardens would have been like from various points in history. If you have never been it us really...