About
Tudor House and Garden stands as one of the finest examples of late medieval domestic architecture in England, a beautifully preserved timber-framed townhouse at the heart of Southampton's historic Old Town. Dating from around 1495, this exceptional building has survived more than five centuries of urban development to become the city's most treasured historic property.
The house was built by Sir John Dawtrey, a prosperous wool merchant and customs official who served under Henry VII. Its striking three-storey facade of close-studded timber framing, jettied upper floors and original architectural details speaks eloquently of the wealth and ambition of Southampton's late medieval merchant class. The house stands on a plot that has been continuously occupied for at least 900 years, and archaeological investigations have revealed remains dating back to the Saxons and Normans beneath its floors.
Opened as a museum in 1912, Tudor House has since been transformed through a major restoration project completed in 2011 that returned it to a condition of outstanding quality. The interior now presents a carefully interpreted journey through the house's history, with period furnishings, atmospheric lighting and engaging displays that bring the Tudor era vividly to life. Recreated domestic scenes, costumed characters and interactive elements make this an engaging experience for visitors of all ages.
The adjacent Tudor Garden is a remarkable recreation of a formal Tudor knot garden, planted with herbs, flowers and shrubs that would have been familiar to the original occupants. Laid out according to historical records and horticultural research, the garden provides a tranquil green space in the heart of the city and a vivid impression of how wealthy Tudor households cultivated their outdoor spaces.
Beneath the house, accessible from the garden, lie substantial remains of a Norman merchant's house dating from around 1150 — a remarkable survival that underscores the extraordinary historical depth of this small but magnificent site. The Norman vaulted undercroft is an atmospheric space that adds another layer to the story of Southampton's long mercantile history.
Tudor House is managed by Southampton City Council and serves as the centrepiece of the city's heritage tourism offer, attracting visitors from across the UK and internationally who come to experience one of England's finest surviving medieval domestic buildings.
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Plan Your Visit
⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
📅 Best Times to Visit
💡 Visitor Tips
- Visit the Norman undercroft first — it sets the historical context beautifully before you explore the Tudor house itself above.
- The garden is at its most beautiful in June and July when the knot garden planting is in full flower — plan your visit to coincide with summer if possible.
- Ask staff about the handling collection — there are replica Tudor objects you can touch and examine, which is especially good for children.
- Combine your visit with nearby God's House Tower archaeology museum, just 200 metres away, for a comprehensive exploration of Southampton's medieval heritage.
- The Tudor House tearoom serves excellent cream teas — a fitting refreshment in such historic surroundings.
- Photography throughout the interior is warmly welcomed; the timber-framed rooms and period furnishings make for exceptional photographs.
- Living history events are held regularly throughout the year — check the website in advance and try to visit on one of these days for the most immersive experience.
- The Old Town walking trail starts near Tudor House and connects all the major medieval monuments — pick up a free map at reception.
Highlights
Discover the unique exhibits and collections at this museum.
Collections
The museum holds collections of Tudor and medieval domestic objects, archaeological finds from the site, historical documents and maps relating to Southampton's medieval history, and decorative arts associated with the house and its occupants.
Life in Tudor Southampton
Immersive room-by-room interpretation of the Tudor house interior, exploring the daily lives of its wealthy merchant occupants through furnishings, objects and displays.
The Norman Undercroft
Display in the atmospheric 12th-century vaulted undercroft exploring the Norman origins of the site and Southampton's role as a medieval trading port.
Nine Hundred Years on One Plot
Archaeological story of the site from Saxon times to the present, with finds from excavations and interpretation of how the plot developed over the centuries.
The Tudor Garden
The recreated formal knot garden with information panels explaining Tudor horticulture, plant symbolism and the role of gardens in wealthy households.
Themes
Time Periods
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.