God's House Tower Museum of Archaeology

Built in 1417, God’s House Tower is the first purpose built artillery fortification in England. Gunpowder, shot and guns were stored on the ground floor and the main firing platform was on the roof. The name comes from the neighbouring God’s House Hospital, founded in 1196.

The building had fallen into disrepair by 1600 but from 1786 to 1855 it was used as the town gaol.

In 1963 God’s House Tower opened as Southampton’s Museum of Archaeology and now displays finds from over fifty years of excavations in the city. The three main galleries tell the story of Southampton in the Roman, Saxon and Medieval periods.

Southampton’s archaeology collection is a Designated Collection of national importance.

Important information: This venue will close to public permanently on Monday 26th September 2011.

Additional info

There are stairs to all exhibition floors, ground floor access to museum shop only. There are NO public lavatory facilities available.

The God's House Tower Museum of Archaeology collections are Designated Collections of national importance.

They include spectacular medieval glass, imported pottery collections, and significant Roman, Saxon and medieval material. The size and range of the archaeology collections reflect the importance of Southampton in the past and at present, and the 50 years of systematic archaeological investigations in the City.

Collection details

Archaeology

Key artists and exhibits

• Archaeological Collections
• Prehistory
• Roman
• Saxon
• Medieval
• Designated Collection