King's House

King's House is a Grade II listed building on King Street in Thetford, a market town in the Breckland district of Norfolk, England. Its walls carry several centuries of the town's history, from a royal hunting retreat to a modern civic building.

What is King's House in Thetford?

It is a historic townhouse in the centre of Thetford, close to St Peter's churchyard. The name comes from its royal past: in the early 17th century the house was linked with the Stuart kings, who came to this part of East Anglia for hunting. Today it is protected as a listed building and is recorded in the Norfolk Heritage Explorer and in Historic England's national list.

Why is it called King's House?

Local history says that James VI and I visited Thetford and in 1609 bought a house near St Peter's churchyard from Sir William Barwick. The property was used as a hunting lodge, and the name King's House has stayed with it ever since. Some accounts add that the building was originally a late medieval house that was rebuilt in the reign of Elizabeth I before the king acquired it.

The royal connection did not end with James. A grant dated 1628 names Andrew Pitcarne, one of the grooms of the king's bedchamber, as a recipient of the house, and tradition has it that Charles I gave the property to his Master Falconer. Later the house passed to Sir Philip Wodehouse, according to the account published by Thetford Town Council.

How did the building change over time?

The older house was a multi-gabled Tudor complex. In the second half of the 18th century it was largely replaced by a new building; the Norfolk Heritage Explorer places construction between 1756 and 1782, while Historic England gives the rebuilding as 1763. The older complex was only partly demolished, and some reused stone, including fragments of Saxon and medieval tracery, can still be found in the walls. That reuse of earlier masonry is one of the most interesting details for anyone who likes reading buildings.

In 1950-51 the house was converted into municipal offices, giving it a new public role that continued the building's long association with local administration.

Visiting tips

• King's House stands on King Street, within walking distance of the town centre and of St Peter's church.
• It is best appreciated from the street as an exterior sight, paying attention to the Georgian proportions and the older stonework.
• Combine it with a walk through Thetford's historic core, which has medieval churches and the remains of the town's religious past.
• Check opening arrangements locally if you hope to go inside, as the building has served as offices.

Frequently asked questions

Is King's House in Thetford the same as other places called King's House? No. The name is shared by several buildings in different countries; this one is the house in Thetford, Breckland, Norfolk.

Did a king really own it? Local records say James I bought a house here in 1609 and used it as a hunting lodge. Some details of the early history are traditional, and sources differ on exact dates.

When was the present building constructed? In the later 18th century; sources give dates between 1756 and 1782, with 1763 cited by Historic England.

What was it used for in the 20th century? It was converted to municipal offices in 1950-51.