High Street, Southampton

High Street, Southampton

As far back as the 1500s, Southampton's High Street was recognized as one of England's cleanest and most beautiful. It was originally known as English Street in medieval times.

English Street got its name since it was the artery between three English-speaking parishes in the community. All Saints, St. Lawrence, and Holy Rood were all connected through here. Logically, French Street linked the French-speaking sections of town, including St. Michael and St. John.

Unfortunately, German bombing campaigns during World War II devastated many parts of the city, including High Street. What was left after the war was a shadow of the historical glory that once stood here. Even though many buildings were destroyed, the modern buildings stand on medieval cellars and vaults.

Many bank buildings did survive the war, most of which were from the late 19th century. You can still see the National Westminster Bank, Midland Bank, and Barclay's Bank. The old Bank of England building at Nos. 31-33 is now a public house.

At No. 56, you'll find the former Oakley and Watling Fruit and Vegetable Merchants building. Its facade is ornately decorated with fruits.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Southampton. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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High Street on Map

Sight Name: High Street
Sight Location: Southampton, England (See walking tours in Southampton)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Southampton, England

Create Your Own Walk in Southampton

Create Your Own Walk in Southampton

Creating your own self-guided walk in Southampton is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Southampton Introduction Walking Tour

Southampton Introduction Walking Tour

Southampton is an important port city with a long history. Archaeological records indicate that the area has been settled since the Stone Age. The Romans had a settlement here, and the Anglo-Saxons later settled in the area.

Southampton became a major port after the 1066 Norman Conquest. Southampton's impressive walls were built following a French incursion in the 1300s.

The Mayflower...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Titanic Tour in Southampton

Titanic Tour in Southampton

Over a hundred years since the sinking of Titanic, the echo of that tragedy still reverberates throughout Southampton. Indeed, nowhere else was the pain of the Titanic disaster, one of the deadliest in maritime history, felt more intensely than here. The majority of Titanic's 900-strong crew were from Southampton, of whom only a handful returned home. More than 500 local households overnight...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Southampton Waterfront Walk

Southampton Waterfront Walk

A major seaport on the south coast of England, the city of Southampton abounds in attractions of various sorts. Southampton Waterfront, in particular, holds significant historical and cultural value, offering ample opportunities for sightseeing, shopping, dining, recreation, and entertainment.

At the heart of this vibrant area is the Pilgrims Fathers Memorial, commemorating the departure of...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Southampton Old Town Walking Tour

Southampton Old Town Walking Tour

Southampton is a bustling coastal city with the history going back all the way to the Stone Age. There are over 90 listed buildings and 30 ancient monuments in the Old Town, including medieval watch towers and dungeons, an array of churches, fine timber-framed Tudor houses, inns and hole-in-the-wall pubs. Despite heavy bombardment during WWII, much of Southampton's historic heritage survived...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles