Hidden History Heritage Walk

The Hidden History Heritage Walk kicks off at The Bargate on Saturday 27 June, and it runs right through to 25 October, so there's plenty of time to fit it in over the summer. It's a guided walk through Southampton, and the whole point is to see the bits of the city's past that usually stay tucked away. The route takes you from the Romans and the Normans, through the years when Southampton was a posh seaside resort, and up to the Second World War, when the city became a military port and a hub for wartime industry.

Along the way, you'll visit the medieval walls and the city's old wine vaults, and the guide fills in the gaps with stories about the famous ships that passed through here. The Mayflower and the Titanic both come up, and there's talk of the people who lived here too, including the novelist Jane Austen. It's a good mix of the big names and the smaller, local details that you don't usually notice when you're just walking to the shops.

It's aimed at a general crowd—families, tourists, or anyone with a soft spot for local history and a bit of cultural walking. The meeting point is The Bargate on High Street (SO14 2DJ), and the walk runs from 27 June to 25 October, with times varying by day. It's a paid event, so you'll need to book your spot in advance.