Explore Historic Southampton This August: Guided Tours Available
Discover the city's history through themed guided walks, including Underground & Overground, Jane Austen’s Southampton, and Titanic: The Southampton Story. Led by expert guides, each tour uncovers hidden stories and iconic sites that shaped Southampton’s unique character.
Keep an eye out for our newest walk with Stories of Old Southampton.
Use the
Book Now button to check our schedule and reserve your place.
OVERGROUND & UNDERGROUND!
Come and find the rich history of Southampton! Walk around its Medieval town walls and step down into its hidden vaults. Hear about the history of the iconic medieval buildings still in existence in the town and about the colourful characters that once lived here.
WHO: All ages
WHERE: Tour starts north side of The Bargate.
WHEN:
10.30am August - Every Saturday and Sunday
1.30pm 6, 7, 27 & 28 September
Summer Specials Weekdays
30 July 6.30pm
4 August 6.30pm
8 August 2.30pm
11 August 11.00am
29 August 2.00pm
STEP COUNT: 10,000 approx
COST: £10 per person
DIFFICULTY: The tour includes uneven paving, heights, spiral and stone staircases when descending into the vaults.
TITANIC TRAIL
The Titanic was the largest ship ever launched and was said to be ‘unsinkable’ - and yet she sailed from Southampton on April 10th 1912 and sank in the early hours of April 15th. Hundreds of the crew were local people. Join our guide on this walking tour to find out how this tragedy affected the town of Southampton and so many of its families.
WHO: All ages
WHERE: Tour starts at Holyrood Church.
WHEN:
11.00 am 18 August
STEP COUNT: 10,000 approx
COST: £10 per person
DIFFICULTY: Walk duration 90 minutes. Some uneven ground.
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JANE AUSTEN
Walk in Jane Austen's footsteps with our guide around the old town of Southampton. Jane lived in Southampton for 3 years so join us to find out about Jane and the times she spent in Southampton.
WHO: All ages
WHERE: Tour starts north side of The Bargate.
WHEN:
2 August 11.00am
9 August 11.00am
15 August 2.00pm
22 August 2.00pm
30 August 11.00am
6 September 11.00 am
11 September 2.00pm
18 September 2.00pm
27 September 11.00am
STEP COUNT: 10,000 approx
COST: £10 per person
DIFFICULTY: Walk duration 90 minutes. Some uneven ground.
CARLTON CRESCENT & ROCKSTONE PLACE
This guided walk explores the Conservation Area of Carlton Crescent and Rockstone Place, looking at the architecture of these beautifully proportioned terraces, and remembering some of the colourful characters who lived there.
WHO: All ages
WHERE: Meet at French's Shoe Shop 40, Bedford Place SO15 2DG.
Varies
WHEN:
10.30am 23 September
STEP COUNT: 10,000 approx
DIFFICULTY: Walk duration 90 minutes. Some uneven ground.
THE CENTRAL PARKS - SOUTHAMPTON'S LAMMAS LANDS
What is the connection between a Man Who Never Was, the day the people saw red, a man in a wheelbarrow and the humble potato? Answer: they feature in some of the stories told by our guide Geoff in his walk through Southampton's Central Parks when he will talk about the history of the beautiful parks and the various monuments and memorials to be found there.
WHO: All ages
WHERE: Meet at the City Art Gallery by the fountain.
WHEN:
10.30 am 8 September
STEP COUNT: 11,000 approx
DIFFICULTY: Walk duration 90 minutes. Some uneven ground.
OH WHERE THE SAINTS?
Come for a walk through Southampton's History, discovering the 5 Medieval churches of Southampton and what did the Franciscan Friars ever do for us? In the course of this 90 minute stroll you'll see where French Huguenot refugees worshipped and discover why the Guildhall clock chimes the tune of a hymn every 4 hours and how the bells of one of our churches inspired a Bing Crosby classic!
WHO: All ages
WHERE: Tour starts north side of The Bargate.
WHEN:
2.30pm 18 September
STEP COUNT: 15,000 approx
DIFFICULTY: Walk duration 90 minutes. Some uneven ground.
ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE!
Bugle Street is one of the oldest and best preserved streets in old Southampton; it largely escaped the devastating bombing of the Second World War and tells the story of domestic architecture from medieval to modern day. This walk will look at the design of homes, from wattle and daub, Georgian symmetry, Tudor timber frame and Dutch gable, Victorian Italianate and Edwardian brick, alongside the story of some of the street's inhabitants: privateers, black carpenters, Flemish brewers, Huguenot weavers, Titanic crew, Italian merchants and so much more!
WHO: All ages
WHERE: Tour starts at St Michael's Square.
WHEN:
11.00am 16 September
STEP COUNT: 9,000 approx
DIFFICULTY: Walk duration 90 minutes. Some uneven ground.
DISCOVER SOUTHAMPTON COMMON AND THE OLD CEMETERY
Discover Southampton Common and the Secrets of Its Past. Explore its fascinating history on this guided circular walk through the city’s beloved Common. Alongside our experienced guides, you’ll explore tranquil woodland paths and visit the hauntingly beautiful Old Cemetery — a place rich with stories, including that of Southampton’s last public hanging. This walk uncovers tales of crime, compassion, and community hidden in the landscape of this unique area.
WHO: All ages
WHERE: The Avenue end of Cemetary Road
WHEN:
10.30am 11 September
STEP COUNT: 10,000 approx
DIFFICULTY:
Walk duration 90 minutes. Some uneven ground.
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE PILGRIM FATHERS.
Our guide takes you back to Southampton in 1620, to explore the Old Town as those on Mayflower and Speedwell would have known it. Not everything is as it was then so please bring your imagination for this walk in the footsteps of the Pilgrim Fathers.
WHO: All ages
WHERE: Tour starts north side of The Bargate.
WHEN: On request - Use our contact form to get in touch.
STEP COUNT: 12,000 approx
DIFFICULTY: Walk duration 90 minutes. Some uneven ground.
Other Tours Available on Request
Rogues and Frauds
In the Footsteps of the Pilgrim Fathers
Blitz Walk
Back of the Walls
Beer, Booze, Bed and Ghosts
For more details click here