By Martin Brisland. In the latest in our series of fun facts about Southampton we look at some more little known gems about the city. Christmas 2025 Just over three hundred years ago Southampton’s ‘Father of English Hymn Writing’ Isaac Watts published one of today’s best-loved Christmas hymns, Joy to...
Heritage
Heritage: Quirky Southampton: Part 5
By Martin Brisland. In the latest in our series of fun facts about Southampton we look at some more little known gems about the city. Gateway to the world? Southampton – as a major port – has always welcomed people and influences from all around the world. Emperor...
A lesson in trans history for Transgender Awareness Week
By Mabel Wellman. From the 13th to the 19th of November Transgender Awareness Week is back for another year. As an out and proud trans woman for all of my adult life, this is a time with many mixed emotions. On the one side, this is a fantastic opportunity...
Heritage: Quirky Southampton: Part 4
By Martin Brisland. In the latest in our series of fun facts about Southampton we look at some more little known gems about the city. Some scenes for the finale of the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever were shot using the SS Canberra at the Western Docks....
Heritage: Quirky Southampton: Part 3
By Martin Brisland. In 1896 a young boy arrived in Southampton from South Africa on the SS Guelph. John Ronald Reul Tolkien would go on to create The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Some say he used Southampton as the inspiration for Southfarthing, a part of the Shire...
Heritage: Quirky Southampton: Part 2
By Martin Brisland. I am a qualified tour guide and writer of six published local history books and around 150 articles for In Common and elsewhere. Over the years I have accumulated lots of unusual facts about the Southampton area. As a guide I soon realised that most people do...
Images released marking 59 years since Tina Turner performed in Southampton
Archive images released today mark 59 years since Tina Turner performed as the support act for the Rolling Stones in 1966, on the Southampton stage then known as the Gaumont Theatre. It comes as Tina: The Tina Turner Musical plays at Mayflower Theatre – which was the Gaumont. ...
Heritage: Quirky Southampton: Part 1
By Martin Brisland. I am a qualified tour guide and writer of six published local history books and around 150 articles for In Common and elsewhere. Over the years I have accumulated lots of unusual facts about the Southampton area. As a guide I soon realised that most people do...
Heritage: The gateway to the world
By Martin Brisland. Before the days of jet travel, The Port of Southampton was once known as the gateway to the world. The Southampton to New York run was serviced by famous names such as the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. Southampton has a unique double tide with up to...
Heritage: The boundaries of Southampton
By Martin Brisland. Main image: The recent Welcome to Southampton logo that people say says nothing about the city or its heritage. Arriving at Southampton, you will see signs saying “Welcome to Southampton”. There was some recent controversy when a new design replaced the long standing ones at a reported...