King John's Garden

King John's Garden King John's Garden is in the heart of Romsey surrounding King John's House Heritage Centre. The garden was begun in 1990.

The idea was to create a period garden in keeping with the historic buildings. The oldest, King John's House dates from the 13th century and first belonged to Romsey Abbey until its dissolution in 1539. In late Tudor times a two storey timber framed building was added. All the plants in the first part of the garden were in cultivation before 1700 and this part of the garden was opened in 1995. Whe

n the Victorian property which now houses the Museum was purchased, a further garden beside the tea room was established in 2001 with a Victorian flavour. The garden is now well established and provides a delightful green sanctuary in the heart of Romsey. It is divided in two parts by a high brick wall, all that remains of the Queen Anne cottages which once stood on this spot. The north side of the garden is more informal having an area of spring meadow planted with apple trees, a summer meadow and bounded on one side by a stream. There is also a stone paved courtyard with a quince and a pentice which provides a shady seating area. The south side of the garden is laid out in a series of gardens, there is a medieval style herber, then a series of beds well stocked with flowers of the period, including lavender, old roses and clematis. From here the path leads to a fountain courtyard and then to the tearoom and Victorian garden. The garden is maintained by a team of volunteers.

Plant of the Week is the Pink Impression tulips in the Victorian Bed in King John's Garden. Head over to see them and th...
02/04/2026

Plant of the Week is the Pink Impression tulips in the Victorian Bed in King John's Garden. Head over to see them and the Spring meadow which is full of colourful bulbs.

Do you have any newly cut willow or cornus, not too thick, that we could use to mend our low fence in the Herber area of...
29/03/2026

Do you have any newly cut willow or cornus, not too thick, that we could use to mend our low fence in the Herber area of the garden?
If so we would be really pleased if you could help us out. Donations of this can be left on the side near the plant table or by the small shed to the left of the bridge.
Please message the page and let us know if you are going to drop some off. Many thanks

Plant of the week Chionodoxa forbesii or Glory of the Snow is currently a spectacular blue carpet alongside the Tudor bu...
09/03/2026

Plant of the week Chionodoxa forbesii or Glory of the Snow is currently a spectacular blue carpet alongside the Tudor building. Hurry over to catch these bulbs at their best.

Plant of the week is the Viburnum opulus that stands next to the stream as a backdrop to the summer meadow. Commonly kno...
02/10/2025

Plant of the week is the Viburnum opulus that stands next to the stream as a backdrop to the summer meadow. Commonly known as the Guelder rose this tall shrub comes into its own in the autumn with startling red leaves and berries. This little corner of the garden is full of colour just now with a jewel like Euonymous alatus (winged spindle) and lots of little cyclamen naturalised in the grass.

Fancy some apple pie?Well you're in luck. There's a huge pile of tasty apples on our plant table there for the taking an...
02/10/2025

Fancy some apple pie?
Well you're in luck. There's a huge pile of tasty apples on our plant table there for the taking and maybe a small donation towards the garden upkeep.

Today at the Beggar's Fair the garden volunteers will be serving tea and cake along with the music.
12/07/2025

Today at the Beggar's Fair the garden volunteers will be serving tea and cake along with the music.

Dianthus cathusianorum is playing a starring role in the bay bed. This stunning Pink is Plant of the Week.
26/06/2025

Dianthus cathusianorum is playing a starring role in the bay bed. This stunning Pink is Plant of the Week.

04/05/2025
'Plant of the week' is the Persian lilac, Syringa persica, now flowering in the 'Abbey Flower Garden' part of King John'...
01/05/2025

'Plant of the week' is the Persian lilac, Syringa persica, now flowering in the 'Abbey Flower Garden' part of King John's garden. The garden is opening again on Monday and you will be able to see this and all the other Spring flowers.

King John's garden volunteers have been weaving low Willow and Cornus edging around the borders in the medieval 'Herber'...
28/03/2025

King John's garden volunteers have been weaving low Willow and Cornus edging around the borders in the medieval 'Herber' area in King John's garden.
Many thanks to the people who dropped off prunings. We have plenty now.

Do you have any newly cut willow or cornus, not too thick, that we could use to redo our low fence in the Herber area of...
25/03/2025

Do you have any newly cut willow or cornus, not too thick, that we could use to redo our low fence in the Herber area of the garden?
If so we would be really pleased if you could help us out. Donations of this can be left on the side in the path up to the house entrance.
Please message the page and let us know if you are going to drop some off. Many thanks

Address

13a Church Street
Romsey
SO518BT

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

01794-512200

Website

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