Southampton

The town’s past, present and future is inextricably linked with the sea, its continuing source of prosperity since the Middle Ages. Armies sailed from its waters for the Crusades, the Hundred Years War; and the Napoleonic campaigns.

The Pilgrim Fathers even stopped at West Quay on their way from Lincolnshire to Plymouth in 1620.

There are many historic buildings, in this once extremely busy seaport along the eight miles of Southampton Water.

The Tudor House dates from 16^th century, the Wool House from the 14^th century and the Guildhall built of Portland stone in the 1930s.

Near the Civic Centre is the Titanic Memorial to the engineers of the liner which hit an iceberg on her maiden voyage in 1912.

Red Lion Inn is the oldest pub in Southampton dating from the 12^th century.

The Duke of Wellington Pub, another old pub, with a building dating from the 15^th and 16^th centuries.

St Michael’s Church dates from the Norman times and has an 800 year old black marble font from Tournai. The 19^th century spire is a landmark for ships in Southampton Water.