King John's Palace

King John's Palace is what remains of a medieval royal residence in Kings Clipstone, in the north-west of Nottinghamshire. Today it is a set of weathered ruined walls on the edge of Sherwood Forest, and it is one of the more intriguing relics of the days when English kings came to the forest to hunt.

What is King John's Palace?

The site is the surviving fragment of a royal complex that once served the English crown for more than two centuries. The ruins are not a castle in the usual sense. Historically this was a group of buildings, a hunting lodge and residence, set within a royal forest rich in deer.

Why is it called King John's Palace if he barely stayed here?

The name is a relatively late label. It has been used since the 18th century; before that, the place was known as the "King's Houses". How and when the buildings became tied to King John is unclear, because he spent only nine days here in total. Some older accounts describe the place as a favourite retreat of his, and one source notes that a charter he granted to Nottingham in the first year of his reign is dated from Clipstone. Even so, the link to John is tradition rather than documented fact, and the royal story is wider than one king.

How old is the site?

The earliest known reference to the residence, under the name King's Houses, dates from 1164, during the reign of Henry II. Between 1176 and 1180 Henry ordered £500 to be spent on the buildings, and a deer park was established at Clipstone. In 1290 the site hosted a parliament of Edward I, which shows how important it was as a place of royal business, not only of leisure.

What can you see today?

What survives is a series of ancient ruined walls. The remaining chamber still preserves Romanesque features, which hint at the quality of the original construction. Information boards and archaeological work over the years have helped piece together how the complex was laid out.

Can you visit?

The ruins stand on private land within Sherwood Forest, so access needs care. Check the current situation locally before you go, and respect any fences, signs and restrictions. Visitors often view the remains from the nearby public areas rather than walking onto the site.

Frequently asked questions

Did King John live here? He is traditionally linked with the place, but he spent only nine days here in total, so the name is a historical label rather than an accurate description.

What was the palace called before? Before the 18th century it was known as the "King's Houses".

Where is it? In Kings Clipstone, north-west Nottinghamshire, in the Sherwood Forest area.

Is it open to the public? It stands on private land, so check access locally and do not enter restricted areas.

What makes it interesting? It is a rare surviving trace of a medieval royal hunting residence, with Romanesque features still visible and a history that reaches from the 12th century to a parliament in 1290.