King John's Hunting Lodge

King John's Hunting Lodge in Axbridge, Somerset, is a timber-framed medieval townhouse on the corner of the market square, and one of the most photographed buildings in this small town at the foot of the Mendip Hills. Despite the royal name, it has little to do with hunting or with a king: today it is a small local history museum.

Why is it called King John's Hunting Lodge?

The name is a later tradition. King John died in 1216, while the building dates from the second half of the 15th century, with c. 1468 the commonly cited date. It was built as the house of a wool merchant, at a time when the cloth and wool trade brought money to towns across Somerset. The "king" in the name is linked to a carved king's head that once served as the sign of the King's Head Inn, which for a time occupied part of the building. The original sculpture is kept inside, and a replica hangs on the outside wall.

What does the building look like?

It is a three-storey, jettied timber-frame house, meaning the upper floors project over the street. It stands on a corner plot facing the town square, so you can see its framing from two sides. Historically the ground floor held shops, while workshops and living quarters were on the first and second floors. The site itself was already built up in the 14th century, when a building with shops stood here and was known as the stockhouse.

What is inside?

The lodge houses a museum of Axbridge's local history, run by volunteers of the Axbridge and District Museum Trust. It is a good place to get a feel for the daily life of a small Somerset market town, and to see the surviving carved king's head up close. The interior is modest in scale, so a visit is short and fits easily into a walk around the town.

Who looks after it?

The lodge was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1971, though some sources give slightly different dates for the handover. The building had deteriorated significantly by then, and the Trust carried out repairs to reverse the damage. In the 1930s an antique collector, Miss Ripley, owned the house and stored her collection there, opening it to the public one day each year.

Frequently asked questions

Did King John ever stay here? No. The building was constructed long after his death in 1216, and the name is a legend rather than a historical fact.

Can I go inside? Yes, it operates as a museum. It is open seasonally, roughly from April to October, with afternoon opening hours. Check the museum's own website for current times before you travel, as they can change.

Where is it? On the town square in Axbridge, Somerset, England. The town is compact and easy to explore on foot, so the lodge is a natural starting point.

How long does a visit take? Plan on well under an hour for the museum itself, longer if you also walk around the historic centre.

Is it only worth seeing from the inside? The exterior is a highlight in its own right. The jettied upper floors and exposed timber frame are visible from the square at any time of day.