Southampton City Council Libraries Arts and Heritage

Southampton is a thriving modern city but you don't have to explore too far to discover its amazing past.

Below the modern streets can be found evidence of occupation from prehistoric times to the present, including important Roman and Saxon settlements, and the late Saxon and medieval town and villages that laid the basis for the modern city and suburbs. The unique location at the head of Southampton Water early on became an important trading post and later a port.

Large parts of the centre of Southampton were destroyed during the Second World War. However some important medieval buildings and structures survive, along with buildings dating to the 19th century redevelopment of the town. These include the Wool House (Maritime Museum), Medieval Merchants House, God's House Tower (Museum of Archaeology), Tudor House Museum, and a superb length of medieval town wall.

Southampton has important archives, collections and other sources for local and family history research. The city also has a unique Oral History Unit, recording the memories of local people.

For more information about Southampton's archaeology, buildings and monuments, Oral History projects and historical sources, visit our website.

Southampton City Council's Fine Art and Archaeology collections are Designated Collections of national importance.

See also

• Southampton City Art Gallery
• God's House Tower Museum of Archaeology