Heart of the City

It’s an icon to which immediately identifies the city of Southampton with its past.
The Bargate, as it is known, sits in the heart of the city as an important listed medieval gatehouse which dates back to Norman times when it was built as the main gateway to the old town.
It was all part of defences for the town which over the years was  entirely enclosed by a mile and a quarter long stone wall, with 29 towers and eight gates.
As Southampton’s importance grew as  a port and trading centre, it  was deemed vital to provide defences for the country’s main commercial centres
The 800 year old Bargate has enjoyed a varied life, including the city's guildhall, a prison in the 1800s when Southampton's police force was formed and much more recently a contemporary art gallery.
It was also the site of executions in 1415 following a failed conspiracy aimed to usurp King Henry V from the throne, but it failed when their plans were uncovered.

Today the Bargate is the instantly recognized world famous landmark which symbolizes the heart of Southampton.