Museums & Galleries · Hampshire
Medieval Merchants House
📍 SO14 2DZ
Photo: english-heritage.org.uk
- One of the oldest surviving merchant's houses in England
- Begun around 1290 by merchant John Fortin
- Restored to its mid-14th-century appearance
- Dressed with vivid replica furnishings and fittings
- Stands near the old town defensive wall
Tucked away near Southampton's busy city centre is the Medieval Merchant's House, one of the oldest surviving merchant's houses in England. It was begun in about 1290 by John Fortin, a merchant who traded with Bordeaux, and served as a combination of home, workplace and shop. During the 1980s it was restored to its mid-14th-century appearance and dressed with vivid replica furnishings and fittings, standing near the wall which defended the town against seaborne attacks. It's open on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays from April to end October, so check before visiting. Southampton Town Quay station is 0.2 miles away, and there are 29 bookable places to stay within 5 miles on BritStays.
Practical details
- Open
- Mondays 10am-1pm, Fridays and Saturdays 11am-3pm, April to end October
From the attraction's own website on 27 Sep 2026 — check before you travel.
Facilities
- ✓ Gift Shop
- ✓ Pet Friendly
- ✓ WiFi
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Make a proper break of it — these stays are all within 25 miles.
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🗓️ Make a break of it
Turn a visit to Medieval Merchants House into a proper getaway — ready-made plans, and the drive worked out with fuel, EV charging and the best stops.
🚆 Or come by train
- Southampton Town Quay 0.2 miles
- Southampton Central 0.7 miles
- Woolston 1.3 miles
Straight-line distances · live departures on each station page