Group and Private Walks
Group and Private Walks and Tours Are you looking to find an activity for your group or club? Or are you visiting the city and looking for a private guided tour? Our usual group/private tours last for one hour, 90 minutes or two hours – depending on what is best for your group and the theme of your walk – but we can tailor timings to your specific requisites. Most of our tours centre around the Old City, but we can also cover other areas of Southampton as required. Southampton has the most amazing history to discover and wealth of hidden stories! Many groups choose to do a private version of our history of Southampton walk – taking people through from the Romans to the Normans, the elegant and chic spa town of the Georgian era, to the time of the Second World War. Additional themed walks include: The Titanic and the very personal Southampton story Southampton and the Second World War The Pilgrim Fathers and the Mayflower Notable and Notorious Women of Southampton Southampton’s Parks Southampton and the Spitfire story Southampton’s docks Novelist Jane Austen – one of Southampton’s most famous residents Churches and other religious buildings in Southampton Or choose your own theme! Dates and Cost Please contact us to discuss charges and dates. Special rates and contents are offered for school parties, and especially for younger children. Illustrated Talks Many of our guides offer illustrated talks on a variety of subjects. Please contact us to discuss availability and charges.
Public Themed Tours
2026-2027 Special Walks and Tours See Southampton runs a number of themed walks and tours throughout the year, each one focusing on one of the amazing stories in Southampton’s history. Our 2026-2027 Special Walks and Tours programme includes: Jane Austen in Georgian Southampton Southampton’s American Story Southampton’s Second World War Story High Vaultage – Definitive Tour of the City’s Vaults!Ghastly, Grim and Gory The QE2 Mile Explorer (2027) Titanic Monuments in Southampton (2027) Christmas in Southampton (with festive refreshment) See below for details of some of the tours – with more information to be added shortly. Jane Austen in Georgian Southampton Discover the world of one of Southampton’s most famous residents!Famously of the write-what-you-know genre of authors, how much of Southampton is written into Jane Austen’s books? With Southampton an elegant and chic spa town, Jane partied, danced, entertained, walked, took pleasure boats and enjoyed the seaside air when living here 1806-1809. On our walking tour of the old city, visit the places Jane knew and loved, while exploring Georgian Southampton. Meet at the West Gate, Westgate Street (what3words: letter.tribes.inch) 2026 Sunday 12 April (11:00-13:00)Sunday 2 August (11:00-13:00)Tickets £12.50 Book via Eventbrite Southampton’s American Story 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Southampton has many American connections – from early exploration of the New World and the sailing of the Mayflower, to involvement in the American War of Independence and the American Civil War, the important role America played in Southampton in the First and Second world wars, in particular with regard to D-Day. Join our Heritage Guide for a two-hour walk exploring these stories and more, including those of the Titanic, Hollywood stars and sporting connections. Meet at the West Gate, Westgate Street (what3words: letter.tribes.inch). 2026 Sunday 5 July (11:00-13:00) Tickets £12.50 Book via Eventbrite Southampton’s Second World War Story Walk the streets of the old town to discover Southampton’s vital WWII role.Hear about the city as a military port, learn about the wartime industry – from building warships to the story of the iconic Spitfire fighter aeroplane – while discovering the devastating effects of the Blitz. Experience what life was like for those living in Southampton – including visits to some of the medieval vaults turned air raid shelter – while hearing about the arrival of the impact of the Americans to the city. Meet at the West Gate, Westgate Street (what-three-words: letter.tribes.inch). 2026 Friday 8 May 14:00-15:30Book via EventbriteThursday 13 August 18:00-19:30 Book via EventbriteTickets £12.50 High Vaultage! The definitive tour of Southampton’s vaults. Don’t miss this opportunity to go where other Southampton walks fear to tread! A special fund raiser for See Southampton, whose volunteer team operate the Cruise Welcome Desk, give library talks, host visiting journalists, and have a vibrant Facebook page focusing on all things Southampton. Refreshments at the end of the tour at The Westgate, (tea/coffee and light bites) and an opportunity to view the Westgate Exhibition and meet members of the See Southampton team. Meet at the Bargate, High Street (what3words: hosts.likes.lifts) 2026 Wednesday 20 May (18:00-20:30)Wednesday 23 September (18:00-20:30) Tickets Adults £18 (inc. refreshments) Book via Eventbrite Christmas in Southampton A Christmas cracker of a walk! 90-minute guided walk followed by warming refreshments – mulled wine, sausage rolls and mince pies – in the Westgate. Join the See Southampton heritage guides on a walk through the city’s Christmas past. Explore the western walls and medieval vaults, recounting tales of yesteryear, referencing historical characters, events and songs and plenty of Christmas cracker jokes, and ending with refreshments at the Westgate. Meet at the Bargate, High Street (what3words: hosts.likes.lifts) 2026 Wednesday 18:00-19:302 December9 December Tuesday 18:00-19:3015 December Tickets £16.50 (inc. refreshments) Booking opening later in the year. The QE2 Mile Explorer Explore the famous route from The Titanic Memorial and Cenotaph to the Bargate and far end of the High Street, stopping to explore vaults along the way! Meet at The Titanic Engineers Memorial, 11am – 2pm. 2027 Wednesday 13 January 11:00-14:00 Tickets (Adults) £15.00 Booking opening later in the year. Titanic Monuments in Southampton Hear the tales behind Southampton’s Titanic Memorials. This guided walk will visit The Engineers Memorial; The Musician’s Memorial; Milvina Dean Memorial Garden; Civic Centre Memorial; Crew Memorial in Holy Rood Church; and Gatti’s Team memorial table in St. Joseph’s Church. Other Titanic related buildings in Southampton will also be highlighted. (Please note, there is no vaults entry with this walk.) Meet at The Engineer’s Memorial, East (Andrews) Park (what3words: start.coach.wicked) 2027 Wednesday 14 April10:30-12:45 Tickets (Adults) £16.00 Booking opening later in the year. SEE Southampton – more history than you ever imagined!
About
The history of See Southampton In the Spring of 2014 a group of qualified Southampton tour guides decided it was time for a fresh and exciting approach to guided walks and tours in Southampton. See Southampton was formed and since then has gone from strength to strength delivering an entertaining programme of walks and talks for cruise ship passengers and visitors and Southampton residents. See Southampton also offers an information service to cruise ship passengers visiting the city; delivers local library talks; publishes heritage articles in the Daily Echo; and runs exhibitions in the Westgate Tower, Westgate Street. Meet the Tour Guides See Southampton guides have been trained and examined to the exacting standards of the Institute of Tourist Guiding, of which they are all members. See Southampton is determined to maintain the high quality of its guiding services and the knowledge of its guides. Some of our See Southampton Tour Guides: Jack – Katie – Martin – Godfrey – Nigel Southampton Cruise Tourist Information One of See Southampton’s most successful initiatives has been the establishment of the volunteering team, providing tourist information to cruise passengers at port terminals, ensuring that these visitors have an enjoyable and enriching visit to our city. Join our team! We are extending our team of volunteers to greet cruise ship passengers. If you have a broad knowledge of Southampton and other local places of interest as well as a good understanding of local travel arrangements we would be pleased to hear from you, and particularly if you speak a second language such as French, German, Russian, Dutch, Polish, Cantonese or Italian. Contact us! Collaboration See Southampton is committed to working collaboratively with all organisations promoting Southampton’s history and heritage, as well as with local businesses and educational establishments. Awards See Southampton have been winning awards, including Gold Awards from SO Stars, holds TripAdvisor ‘Travellers’ Choice Awards’ and been awarded two silver awards for ‘Best Guided Tour/Event of the Year’ by Tourism South East’s ‘Beautiful South Awards for Tourism’.
Events
See Southampton – Upcoming events and tours
Contact
Contact and bookings We will be delighted to speak to you concerning any aspect of a visit to Southampton, accessibility, volunteering, or to arranging a private tour for you or your group in the City. Tel: +44 (0)7770 842728 Email: info@seesouthampton.co.uk See Southampton SouthamptonHampshire, UK Meeting & starting point at Bargate, Southampton (by the statue of the lions).
See Southampton Heritage Guides
Welcome to See Southampton Heritage Guides Welcome to See Southampton City Guided Walks Explore the city’s amazing historical architecture, with the stories of Southampton’s centuries long history. More information Private Walks and Tours Book a guided tour for a group or private party, from our list of themed walks, or tailor one to your interest. More information Accessible Guided Tours We offer bespoke assessible guided tours, and have created a Southampton Accessible Walk map (PDF), to download. More information More history in Southampton than you ever imagined! See Southampton Heritage Guides is a team of qualified local heritage experts and tour guides, delivering a programme of walks and talks for local residents, visitors and cruise ship passengers. Tours and Events Discover Southampton’s Amazing, Hidden – and Surprising – History Walking Tour Dates & To Book 90-minute walking tours on Saturdays and Sundays: 10:30-12:00 (May, July, September 2026), 13:30-15:00 (February, April, June, August, October, December 2026) Meet at the Southampton Bargate, beside the statues of the lions Explore the hidden history of Southampton – from the Romans to the Normans, to the city’s years as an elegant spa town, and on to the amazing part the city played in the Second World War as a military port and home to wartime industry. Visit the medieval walls and wine vaults, and hear the stories of Southampton’s most famous ships, including the Pilgrim Fathers’ Mayflower and the Titanic, along with tales of Southampton’s famous residents, such as novelist Jane Austen. Tickets: £12.50 – book online or pay on the day (cash or card) Special Walks and Tours Our 2026-2027 programme includes: Jane Austen in Georgian Southampton Southampton’s American Story Southampton’s Second World War Story High Vaultage – Definitive Tour of the City’s Vaults!Ghastly, Grim and Gory The QE2 Mile ExplorerTitanic Monuments in Southampton Christmas in Southampton (with festive refreshment) For more details of the walks and tours, see our Special Walks and Tours page! Group and Private Walks and Tours We offer private tours for individuals and groups, with some of our most popular walks the Hidden History Heritage Walk, Titanic themed, covering the city in the Second World War, the story of the Mayflower, Medieval and Georgian Southampton. We also have guides who can take you further afield, into Hampshire and surrounding areas. Whatever your interest, we can find a guide to tailor a tour for you. Our Group and Private Walks and Tours page has more details. Contact Us The Westgate – open on Sundays Visit the historic 14th Century Westgate, one of the main gates leading into medieval Southampton. Henry V with his band of brothers on their way to the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 passed through West Gate, as did the Pilgrim Fathers in 1620, ready to board the Mayflower at the busy, bustling medieval West Quay. Special exhibitions explore the fascinating stories of the Mayflower and Southampton’s Second World War history. Opening times: Sundays 10:00-12:00, 13:00-15:00 – free entry 2026 Talks at Portswood Library and Woolston Library Library talk dates & times A series of monthly Wednesday evening talks – many covering the history of Southampton – will be given by See Southampton guides and Bevois Mount History members at Portswood Library (251 Portswood Road, SO17 2NG), starting at 19:30, along with a couple of talks at Woolston Library (Centenary Quay, Victoria Road, SO19 9EF), starting at 18:00. Talks last for about an hour, and admission is free. Portswood Library 11 March: Rebuilding the Town Southampton after the Blitz Godfrey Collyer 8 April: Gatti’s Restaurant – the Titanic’s ‘Ritz’ Ally Hayes and Wendy Stokes 13 May: Rigging Block Maker, Walter Taylor (1734-1893) Mark Newland 10 June: Southampton’s American Connections Nigel Philpott 8 July: The First Public Libraries in Southampton Ally Hayes and Wendy Stokes 12 August: Bevois – Prince of Southampton Jack Wilson 9 September: Early Development of Southampton Docks David Hornsby 14 October: The French Raid of 1338 Ally Hayes and Wendy Stokes Woolston Library 14 April: King Arthur – Man or Myth Jack Wilson 14 July: Southampton’s American Connections Nigel Philpott If you would like to book a talk, our team is always happy to provide guest speakers on a range of subjects. Contact us for details. Southampton’s ‘American’ story 2026 is the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence in 1776, and America and Americans feature throughout many parts of Southampton’s history – from 1620 and the departure from Southampton’s West Quay of the Pilgrim Fathers on board the Mayflower and the Speedwell, to the major role America played in Southampton’s Second World War story. Weekend See Southampton walks throughout 2026 will recount many of the fascinating stories of Southampton’s American connection, with details of special America-themed walks to be announced shortly. See Southampton’s Accessible Tours We ensure that our Accessible Guided Tours are accessible to those with (visible or non-visible) physical and learning difficulties, and are wheelchair and mobility scooter friendly. Accessibility Information “From Parks to Port” – See Southampton’s map with Accessible Trail See Southampton have produced a map that details accessible places of interest, and includes lifts, toilets, ramps and facilities that can be easily accessed by wheelchair and mobility scooter users. Information & Map Reviews Click here to leave us a review!