Join us on this fascinating walking tour discovering some of the past history of the city, exploring the walls of the old town and travelling underground in to some of the medieval vaults beneath the streets.
In partnership with Experience Hampshire, the price of this experience is £25 per person, including a donation to the charity. £11 from every ticket sold will go to Hampshire Hospitals Charity.
Our charismatic guide will tell you about Southampton’s association with the Romans, Saxons and Vikings, the building of the town walls – standing since the 1300s – and about some of the city’s ancient legends. You'll learn about the massive influence that Henry II had on the city and how the trade in wine and wool made Southampton in to the thriving port it still is today.
The walk starts at the Bargate and includes visits to a number of vaults in the historic part of the city. This usually includes one under a 1960's apartment block and another under a set of council houses built in the 1940s, although the vaults visited may vary depending on which ones are currently being renovated.
The experience lasts up to 2 hours and is gently-paced, although some stairs are involved.
Due to the nature of this tour (visiting underground vaults which were built many centuries ago) it is not suitable for those who have mobility issues, rely on a 'walker' or who use a crutch(es).
Event details
Address: High St, Southampton SO14 2DJ, UK
Description: Bargate Southampton
Directions: The Bargate is the large stone building in the middle at the bottom of the pedestrian area of the High Street
GPS co-ordinates: 50.9026626, -1.4040872
What 3 Words co-ordinates: pool.year.grape
Parking address: East St, Southampton SO14 3HH, UK
If you have any queries about this experience, before or after you book it, please email hello@experiencehampshire.uk
What others have said
“Absolutely fantastic tour, I’m born and bred Southampton and leaned so much that I didn’t know, Caroline, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable and gave us opportunities to ask questions. Can highly recommend this tour. Thank you”
“Just book this tour! Nigel, our guide, was a fountain of knowledge”
“I very much enjoyed the ‘Hidden Southampton’ tour. It certainly matched its description as we were shown so many places that were locked away. I thought that Geoff, our guide, was extremely knowledgeable without being pedantic or patronising in his delivery; instead I felt as if he loved all his knowledge and enjoyed sharing it”
“Geoff is a great guide" "We had a fabulous time and Geoff was fantastic. We have told all our friends about our experience so hopefully they will book one of your tours.”
“For anyone who has had the pleasure of living or working in Southampton, taking the Hidden Southampton walking tour is a fascinating insight into part of this great city's history. The walk is one of the many gems on the Experience Hampshire menu and it's a real eye and ear opener as tour guides literally take you beneath the pavements of Southampton and tell the stories of some of the city's 46 vaults. Our guide for this winter evening walk was Geoff, and over two hours, he delivered an engaging, entertaining and insightful tour that painted vivid pictures as he opened windows to the past. No spoilers here but I can tell you that spending two hours on this value-for-money tour is time very well spent by anyone who has a fascination for Southampton's history or just wants to take a look into what is a hidden and rarely seen world beneath the city streets. As the Strictly judges would say, it's a 10 from me.”
Frequently asked questions
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We start these tours at 1815 to take advantage of free car parking on some of the streets of Southampton after 1800 hours on weekdays. There is paid, on-street car parking on Palmerston Road, between Houndwell and Hoglands Park. The tour meets at the Bargate which is just a couple of minutes walk away.
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No, but please do dress appropriately for a walking tour. Comfortable footwear and clothing appropriate for the weather is advised.
A small torch might be useful if it will be dark during some or all of your tour.
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It starts at the Bargate and normally finishes a little further down the High Street (depending on which vaults we visit). Our guide, usually wearing a red SEE Southampton jacket, will meet you under the arch of the Bargate for a prompt 6.15pm start.
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Yes, photographs are allowed throughout the tour.
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Yes. We normally email you a few days before each tour to reconfirm the meeting point and time. If you have any queries in the meantime, please do email hello@experiencehampshire.uk
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We try not to cancel these tours unless the forecast is really heavy persistent rain, heavy snow and/or high winds. If the weather isn't looking great, please do wrap up warm and make sure you have a waterproof/windproof layer on.
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Due to the nature of this tour (visiting underground vaults built many centuries ago) it is not suitable for those who have mobility issues.
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Youngsters are more than welcome although, it is a 2 hour tour with a good amount of history to absorb. There is only one ticket price, so no reduction for children.