Guides have been gearing up for a busy year of walls and vaults exploration as they also celebrate half a century since the formation of the Southampton Tourist Guides Association (STGA).
Representatives of STGA and See Southampton met at the Bargate ahead of a series of walks across the Old Town in 2026.
Southampton’s historic Bargate (Image: Newsquest)
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Walkers will visit the city walls and explore a number of Southampton’s famous underground vaults, shedding light on Southampton’s medieval wine and wool trades.
Chair of STGA Kim Golder and Nigel Philpott, See Southampton chair, are looking forward to the new season, which began over the Easter weekend.
Only qualified guides have the ‘keys to the vaults’.
Nigel told the Daily Echo: “It amazes us how few Sotonians and visitors know what treasures we have ‘underground.’ Their reaction when they discover the vaults is one of wonder and incredulity – they simply have no idea of the range and quantity of vaults that exist!
“Southampton has more medieval vaults than any other town or city in the country. In addition to the vaults, Southampton at its peak had over a mile and a quarter of medieval walls, gates and towers, and we will discover sections of these.
“Later in the year we are hopeful that the Bargate Quarter will begin to open up, allowing us access to the Northern Walls, which have been hidden behind fencing for years.”
A series of other themed walks are set to be staged throughout the year and into 2027. These include walks exploring links to the Romans, Saxons, Vikings, Normans, the 100 Years War, the Tudors, William Shakespeare, the Mayflower, Jane Austen, the Titanic, D-Day and the development of the Docks.
Football fans will hear of Southampton educated Charles William Miller, who took football to Brazil in 1894.
Those interested in the history of the Spitfire will hear how the plane that won the Battle of Britain first flew from Eastleigh and about the Supermarine factory at Woolston and the celebrated shadow factories, whilst visiting vaults that acted as WWII air raid shelters.
Weekend tours depart The Bargate at 10.30am and 1.30pm from April to September, take 90 minutes and cost £12.50 with accompanied children under 16 free.