John Knox House

John Knox House is one of the oldest surviving buildings on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and an absorbing stop for anyone interested in the city’s medieval past.

Dating back to around 1470, the house and the adjoining Moubray House form a rare surviving piece of the streetscape that existed long before most of the surrounding Old Town.

The exhibition explores the house’s former residents and its links with the Scottish Reformation. John Knox is the name most visitors recognise, but the building’s story reaches beyond one famous figure, covering merchants, craftsmen, and the changing political and religious life of Edinburgh.

The interior is full of character, with low ceilings, narrow stairs, timber details, and small rooms that feel very different from a modern museum. Visitors are encouraged to look closely for unusual features, including defensive tricks intended to deter intruders and a carved devil hidden in the Oak Room ceiling.

A Compact Royal Mile Attraction

John Knox House is connected to the Scottish Storytelling Centre, making it easy to pair a historic visit with exhibitions, performances or events next door. Its location towards the Canongate end of the Royal Mile also places it close to the Museum of Childhood, Museum of Edinburgh, and several historic closes.

Visit the official John Knox House page for current admission prices, opening times, and visitor information.