Southamptons City of Vaults
In the Middle Ages Southampton exported wool and imported wine. In the main the wine came from the Gascony region of France and once unloaded in Southampton it had to be stored before being sold or redistributed. Importantly there was a need to store wine for the Royal Household. Each merchant was obliged to give […]
Thoughts on the Titanic
The Titanic and her ill-fated maiden voyage have captured the imagination of people all around the world. Many books have been written and films made about the largest and most luxurious passenger ship of 1912. Modern cruise ships are much larger and some can carry more than 5,000 passengers. They are floating cities that offer […]
Ghastly, Grim and Gory
Southampton has had quite a blood thirsty past with raids by the Vikings on the old Saxon town of Hamwic and the French and Genoese raids in 1338 which decimated the town destroying a great deal of property and robbing it of much of its wealth and so pushing it into a period of decline […]
Southampton’s Central Parks
Southampton is unique in that its city centre includes a number of parks which allow residents and visitors to walk through the city along tree lined pathways and green vistas. In 2013 Southampton’s Central Parks were relisted as Grade II, a decision which reflects their national importance. The parks are important historically having roots in […]
Herbert Collins – Garden City Developer
The houses built by Herbert Collins, a local builder, in Southampton during the 1920s and 1930s are instantly recognisable and highly desirable. The majority demonstrate a simple Georgian style in a landscaped setting consisting of greens and avenues of trees. His work is internationally recognised and at the time of the construction of his estates, […]
Pirates and Southampton
The most well known story involving pirates and Southampton is The French Raid. On Sunday morning, the fourth of October 1338, forty nine ships carrying French, Castillian and Genoese pirates and mercenaries sailed up the River Test. The town only had walls on three sides at the time. The western wall had not yet been […]
TOP 10 REASONS TO VISIT Southampton’s Churches
TOP 10 REASONS TO VISIT Southampton’s Churches Discover the location of the earliest church in town Hear the story of the fish market and the church Encounter the first post reformation church in the country Locate the five churches of the medieval town Find out what the “Jacks” get up to Learn which Victorian celebrity […]
Eating and drinking in Southampton
Around Bugle Street and Simnel Street you can find the Undercroft vault, Tudor House and Westgate Hall. “Bugle” and “Simnel” denote food. “Bugle” from the Latin buculus, meaning “ox”, and Simnel, from Simnel flour used to make Simnel cake, which is eaten at Easter time. These street names indicate where the butchers and bakers lived […]
Netley Abbey and Royal Victoria Hospital
When travelling down Southampton Water from Southampton, there are many historical sites that will catch the eye on both the east and western shores. One of the most prominent buildings on the eastern shore is the grey castellated structure of Netley Castle, a fort originally constructed by Henry VIII in 1542 as part of his […]
SS Shieldhall
SS Shieldhall is a heritage cargo/passenger steamship based at Southampton’s Eastern Docks. Considered to be the oldest steamship of her type in Europe, Shiedhall is now included in the National Historic Fleet. Launched on the Clyde in 1955, her original role was to transport treated sewage or sludge down the River Clyde to the dumping […]
Battle over Southampton
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