The fire at King John’s House and Museum in the early hours of 23 February has been a huge shock for the museum staff, trustees and the local community. We are very relieved that no one was injured but there is extensive damage to one of Romsey’s most historic buildings.
King John’s House and Museum will require a huge amount of work to make the site safe, clear up the damage, and assess the way forward. Updates will be posted on our website and social media when we have them.
We appreciate all the messages of goodwill and offers of support that have been received and know the community will want to support us at this challenging time. Please visit the official website www.kingjohnshouse.org.uk where you will find more information on how to contribute.
Freddie Law-Turner
Chair of Trustees
Managed by King John’s House and Tudor Cottage Trust Ltd, an independent charitable trust, supported by Test Valley Borough Council. Charity Number 276961
- About our Trust
King John’s House and Tudor Cottage Trust is a registered charity. The primary purpose of the Trust is to preserve and share the building known as King John’s House in Romsey, Hampshire for public benefit. The Trust is also the custodian of a Victorian building, part of which contains our museum, and period style gardens that surround King John’s House. The gardens are maintained by a dedicated and enthusiastic team of volunteers on behalf of the Trust.
The work of King John’s House and Tudor Cottage Trust is supported through paid admission to the House and Museum, events held in the House and Garden and through donations and bequests. The Trust is also very kindly supported by Test Valley Borough Council.
Maintaining access to heritage buildings such as King John’s House is an expensive undertaking, and like many charities the Trust has found the periods of lockdown very difficult financially.
- About King John’s House
The building that we call King John’s House gained its association with King John in 1927 when its medieval origins were first identified. We know that the building was in the ownership of the Abbey at the dissolution and in 1927 it seemed beyond coincidence that what had been discovered was indeed the building referred to in the gift of Henry III. Whilst the origin of the house is much contested and is still the subject of much research. The building is nevertheless an important one and still of national significance. It will always be known as King John’s House by the people of Romsey.