Southampton Introduction Walking Tour, Southampton

Southampton Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Southampton

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 originally departed Southampton before turning back to Portsmouth due to bad weather.

The ill-fated Titanic departed Southampton in 1912 on its maiden and final voyage. Over 500 of the Titanic's crew listed Southampton as their home address.

Visit the 800-year-old Tudor House and Gardens to get insight into Southampton's history. Visitors can see how different rooms would have been set up and admire many precious artifacts from different centuries.

Many parts of the original town wall have been preserved. Visitors can walk the wall and admire its many impressive remaining gates and towers.

Bargate was built around 1180 and was the main entrance to Southampton. This impressive structure was used for many purposes over the centuries. Today's visitors can see the newly restored lion sculptures standing guard.

Other worthwhile stops along the wall include the 13th-century God's House Tower and the Arundel Tower.

To find out more about Southampton's connection with the Titanic, visit the SeaCity Museum. The SeaCity Museum's Titanic Story exhibition further explores the lives of the crew who hailed from Southampton. Another exhibition focuses on Southampton's importance as a global port city.

St. Michael's Church was founded in 1070 and is Southampton's oldest building still in use. This beautiful church features several gorgeous and unique details and artifacts.

For shopping, enjoy strolling historic Above Bar Street, or enjoy retail therapy at the modern Westquay.
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Southampton Introduction Walking Tour Map

Guide Name: Southampton Introduction Walking Tour
Guide Location: England » Southampton (See other walking tours in Southampton)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 11
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Author: Maia
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
  • SeaCity Museum
  • Above Bar Street
  • Westquay
  • Arundel Tower
  • St. Michael's Church
  • Tudor House Museum & Garden
  • Town Quay
  • God's House Tower
  • High Street
  • Southampton Town Wall
  • Bargate
1
SeaCity Museum

1) SeaCity Museum (must see)

SeaCity Museum opened on April 10, 2012, on the 100th anniversary of the Titanic's departure from Southampton. SeaCity Museum is housed in a building that was previously used as a court and police station.

The museum is home to two permanent exhibitions. One is focused on Southampton's place as a strategic shipping destination. The second permanent exhibition explores Southampton's connection to the RMS Titanic. An additional modern pavilion hosts temporary exhibitions. The Pavillion was newly constructed for the museum and features three interlocking bays which emulate a ship's bow.

The Gateway to the World exhibition focuses on Southampton as a vital shipping hub. The exhibition features a seven-meter-long Queen Mary replica.

Southampton's Titanic Story exhibition views the Titanic tragedy through the eyes of the ship's crew. Most of Titanic's crew listed Southampton as their home address. The exhibition features a courtroom with audiovisual elements to show scenes from the British inquiry into the tragedy.

The exhibition includes audio recordings from Titanic survivors. Interactive displays allow visitors to steer the ship or stoke its engines.

When visitors enter the exhibition, they are guided to view the civic center clock tower through a roof light. This clock tower is the approximate height of one of Titanic's four funnels and gives visitors a feeling for the massive scale of the doomed ship.
2
Above Bar Street

2) Above Bar Street

Above Bar Street is the part of High Street north of the Bargate. Southampton's population outgrew the town walls, and by the mid-19th century, Above Bar Street became Southampton's central business area.

Today, Above Bar Street is Southampton's central shopping district. Visitors will find favorite retailers, book stores, bars, restaurants, and cafes.

Above Bar Street provides access to several urban parks. Visitors can stroll through Palmerston Park and enjoy open spaces and beautiful flowers. Guildhall Square is a popular meeting site for events and festivals.

In Watt's Park, visitors can view the Southampton Cenotaph. The Southampton Cenotaph is a World War I memorial and features the names of fallen soldiers from the Southampton area. East Park is also located along Above Bar Street and provides additional walking trails.
3
Westquay

3) Westquay

Westquay is a large indoor shopping center with around 100 different shops. Visitors can find big brands such as Marks and Spencer, Zara, Waterstone's, Apple, Lego, Lewis & Partners, and Hollister Co.

Westquay also has over 50 restaurants, bars, and cafes. You'll find a variety of cuisines and options, including Thai, Italian, Mexican, and American.

The Showcase Cinema de Lux features all the latest films. If the weather isn't great, you can spend a whole day at Westquay. The Esplanade features different events such as Mazes, the Festival of Light, and ice skating.

Westquay originally opened in 2000 and is one of the area's most modern and attractive shopping centers.
4
Arundel Tower

4) Arundel Tower

This 60-foot-tall half drum tower was initially constructed in the 13th century. It was first known as Corner Tower and offered defensive forces a commanding view out to sea. It was re-named Arundel Tower after Sir John Arundel, governor of Southampton Castle in the 1300s.

During the 16th century, shoemakers, curriers, saddlers, and cobblers were charged with the tower's defense, and the tower became known as the Shoemaker's Tower.

Before the 20th century, its location near the sea has caused saltwater damage, and the tower has needed constant repair over the centuries. In fact, early illustrations show seawater lapping at the tower's foundations. Its exposed location near sea winds earned the tower the nickname "Windwhistle".

In the 20th century, a land reclamation program increased the size of the docks, and the sea is now further away.

Visitors can climb the Arundel Tower and enjoy views of the town wall.
5
St. Michael's Church

5) St. Michael's Church

This impressive church is Southampton's oldest building still in use. St. Michael's Chruch was founded in 1070. Henry II gave the church to the monks of St. Denys, who administered the church until the 1537 Dissolution.

St. Michael's was enlarged during the 13th century as Southampton prospered. The first spire was added in the 15th century and renovated with an additional 9 feet in 1887. The spire is now 165 feet high.

While much of Southhampton was damaged during WWII, the church and spire escaped significant damage.

The East Window depicts Southampton's five medieval churches. Unfortunately, St. Michael's is the only one still standing. The West Window portrays St. Michael killing the dragon.

The unique font dates to the 12th century and was created from a single block of black marble.

One of the brass lecterns was rescued from Holyrood Church. This pulpit dates to the 14th or 15th century and is the most impressive in England. It depicts an eagle with separated wing feathers.

St. Michael's church is home to several tombs. The most famous tomb belongs to Sir Richard Lyster, who was the chief justice of the King's Bench. He was interred here in 1554.
6
Tudor House Museum & Garden

6) Tudor House Museum & Garden (must see)

Tudor House shows visitors what life in Southampton was like during Tudor times. Tudor House is one of Southampton's most important buildings and brings 800 years of history to life.

Instead of simply viewing objects in glass cases, the museum immerses visitors in history with beautiful presentations and interactive displays.

Visitors will start with an interactive presentation. Spirits from the past tell you about Tudor House and give you glimpses into its history.

The museum has many displays of artifacts from ancient history to the present. Visitors can admire a medieval jewel casket, Victorian stuffed birds, a pair of shoes from the 1920s. One of the more intriguing displays hosts glass panes painted with bird depictions.

The Book of Hours is one of the museum's most precious items. This very small book is very fragile and dates to around 1480. The Book of Hours is a hand-illustrated prayer book written in Flemish with Latin flourishes.

The sedan chair was a popular way for wealthy people to travel around town. A mid-18th-century sedan chair for hire is on display.

The penny-farthing bicycle is another popular item. This bicycle features one very large wheel and one very small wheel and was popular in the late 19th century.

Kids and adults alike will be amazed by the Tudor dollhouses, complete with opening doors and windows and small figures. Various displays recreate daily life in Tudor times. Visitors can see a historic kitchen and learn about food prep.

The gardens are beautiful and include ancient canons. The gardens have been planned to represent a garden from the 1500s and include formal pathways and low-cut hedges. On the way out of the museum and gardens, you can visit the small attic.

Why You Should Visit:
Tudor House dates back to 1348 when a wealthy merchant owned it. Different families have owned the house throughout the centuries, and today's visitors can enjoy a complete immersion into Southampton's history.

Tips:
The Tudor House Cafe serves fabulous cream teas and gives visitors a gorgeous view of the gardens.
7
Town Quay

7) Town Quay

The first Southampton quay was mentioned as early as 1411 and known as Watergate Quay. In the early 1800s, a newer Town Quay took shape. In 1871, a horse-drawn tramway connected the quay to the railway. By 1876, the tramway was upgraded, and horses were replaced with light locomotives.

Military barges used the quay extensively during WWI. During the 1930s, commercial traffic shifted to other locations, and the quay began handling more passenger traffic.

Today, Town Quay is home to a marina. In addition, the Hythe Ferry operates from the quay, as does the Red Funnel high-speed craft.

Historic quay-side buildings include the Geddes Warehouse. This building has been converted to a boutique hotel and restaurant. The Harbor Board Office was constructed in the 1920s and still stands.
8
God's House Tower

8) God's House Tower

God's House Tower is a late 13th century gatehouse into the old town of Southampton. It stands at the south-east corner of the town walls and permitted access to the town from the Platform and Town Quay. It is now an arts and heritage venue, and has previously served as the town gaol and housed the Museum of Archaeology. The building is Grade I listed and a scheduled ancient monument.

The gatehouse and tower are built of stone "rubble" and are two or three story high. The arched gateway had a double portcullis, the grooves of which are still visible. The windows are described as "trefoil or cinquefoil headed lights". Under the main tower, the filled in arches of the tidal moat and sluices are visible on both the southern and northern flanks.

In the upper story of the Tower and the connecting gallery there are a series of two-light windows and keyhole-shaped gunports. These were unblocked in the late nineteenth century when the window tracery was also restored. The roof of the tower is modern.

The original gatehouse was a simple affair, built in the late 13th century and known as the Saltmarsh Gate, as it led to marshlands outside the town. Being close to God's House Hospital, which had been founded in 1168 by Gervase le Riche as a refuge for travelers, the gateway became known as the God's House gateway. Following the French raid on the town in 1338, the town's defense were strengthened and the gateway was reinforced.

The tower was further extended in 1417 by the addition of a two-story gallery and a three-story tower, to the east of the gateway; this was one of the earliest forts built specifically to carry cannon and had eight gunports and rooftop firing points.

By the start of the 17th century, the building had fallen into disrepair as the town no longer needed strong defense and in 1707 part of the building was being used as a house of correction. From 1786, it became the town gaol; at this time, the tower was known as the "Lambcote Tower". In 1855, a new prison was opened in Ascupart Street and the prison in the tower was closed.

Today God's House Tower houses an arts and heritage venue, with a permanent gallery about the history of the building. There are also two art galleries onsite showing contemporary art and important works from prestigious South Coast collections.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
9
High Street

9) High Street

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.
10
Southampton Town Wall

10) Southampton Town Wall (must see)

Southampton has had some defensive structures since occupied by the Romans. French forces attacked Southampton in 1338. However, the defenses were not adequate.

Work on the new wall began in the 1360s. Eventually, the wall was 1.25 miles long and wholly enclosed Southampton. The impressive wall housed 29 towers and eight gates. The towers were built to house cannons, which was a new technology in the 1300s.

The walls were used for defense throughout the 15th century. By the 18th century, the walls and gatehouses fell into disrepair. More recently, efforts have been made to preserve these historic walls.

Today, about half of the length of the original walls is still visible. Only 13 of the original 29 towers and six of the original gates still stand. God's House Tower still stands and is one of the first urban buildings to be purpose-built to hold gunpowder weapons. God's House Tower is three stories high and is next to God's House Gate.

Arundel tower still stands and is a popular attraction. The west walls are home to a unique feature called The Arcades. They are a series of arches built in the 14th century to reinforce the original 12th and 13th-century walls.
11
Bargate

11) Bargate

Bargate is an impressive medieval gatehouse that was built around 1180. Located in the center of High Street, Bargate was the traditional entrance and main gateway to Southampton. Bargate is praised as the finest and most complex gateway in England.

Bargate was built with flint and stone. In 1280, builders added imposing drum towers on the north side. Then, in the early 1400s, the north front was added.

At some point during the 1400s, Southampton began using Bargate as a prison. Then, during the 16th century, Southampton's court leet started meeting in the Bargate.

The Bargate was used as Southhampton's guildhall and market for centuries. Visitors can still see the vaults where merchants stored wine.

The fabled lion sculptures were added during the 16th century. The lions are thought to symbolize the legend of Sir Bevois, who founded Southhampton. Sir Bevios is the subject of many heroic legends, including a legend that tells of Sir Bevois slaying two lions to protect a princess. The lions were restored in 2020.

Visitors will find 11 heraldic shields on the Bargate's north side. Unfortunately, the original shields decayed with time, and many attempts have been made to restore them.

In 1899, 1914, and 1923, council members debated demolishing Bargate to accommodate increasing road traffic. Instead, the town council decided to separate Bargate from the town walls.

During WWII, Bargate was used as an air-raid shelter.

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