The Titanic
The Titanic which sank in 1912 will forever be associated with Southampton and there are memories of it spread around the city. It’s definitely worth checking out some of the landmarks whilst staying at Lucia Foster Welch Student Accommodation (in fact our car park was the Cheese & Wine storage centre before the ship set sail!!!) or if you’re visiting Southampton in general.
Very close to Lucia Foster Welch is Canute Chambers. It’s located next to the Admiral St Lucius Pub and was the location of the local offices of “The White Star Line” owners of The Titanic.
The majority of the Titanic’s crew belonged to Southampton, and day after day the relations swarmed around the offices of the White Star Company in Canute Road anxiously awaiting tidings. As hour after hour passed and no list of the lost, or additions to the list of the saved were forthcoming, the distress of the people was pitiable to witness.~ The Daily Graphic, London, Saturday 20 April 1912
It’s also worth seeing the Titanic memorial which is close to the Cenotaph and just across the park from the Seacity Museum which houses a permanent exhibition dedicated to the fateful ship and her extensive links to Southampton. It features numerous physical, audio and visual collections from the disaster.
Here’s a news story about the various Titanic related locations you can visit.
The Bargate
The original Norman gateway entrance to the old walled town and is a Grade 1 listed building serving at one point as The Guildhall. Once surround closely by buildings, the Bargate now stands alone at the centre of the shopping area and is a wonderfully historic part of Southampton. If you look nearby, you can also find extensive sections of the old town wall, one of the largest still remaining in the UK.
Tudor House Museum and Gardens – Bugle Street.
Built in 1180 the Magnificent Tudor House and Gardens has managed to survive for more than 800 years. Avoiding the destruction which happened to most of the rest of the city during the World War 2 bombing blitz.
In 1999 the building was found to have severe structural problems threatening its continuing existence. So wide-ranging renovation and the addition of new facilities was undertaken in 2002. The building was re-opened to the public in 2012.
It now houses a collection of historic items from The Southampton Book of Hours to a Penny Farthing. The gardens at the rear provide a fascinating glimpse of ornamental garden features, usage and fashion from the Tudor period.
Holyrood Church, High Street.
Thought to date back to 1320, the Norman church was destroyed by enemy bombing during the blitz in November 1940. A Grade 2 listed building was turned into a memorial for Merchant Navy Sailors in 1957. It remains a calm oasis at the centre of the High Street until today. We recommend a visit and it’s free to enter.
Old Town Walls
A walk around the old town walls will reveal a host of historic locations. The Southern and Western parts used to be very close to the sea. Much of the western side has been reclaimed but the walls remain and are stunning to see.
Places you will discover including Canute’s Palace, The Watergate Ruin and God’s House Tower Arts and Heritage Venue. Once you finished exploring you might like to drop in for a quick drink at “The Pig – in the wall” located in Western Esplanade. It’s literally built into the old town wall.
Enjoy your time in Southampton and take the chance to see all it has to offer.
