KEBAB shops, convenience stores, public houses and hordes of people – it’s a busy central street which was quite different in years gone by.

Described in the late 18th century as being a “pleasant rural retreat with a good view of Southampton”, Bedford Place was once out of the city’s bounds.

When the Georgian houses in Above Bar Street were erected in the 1770s, it was considered an extension to the town, with fields north of West Marlands – now Watts Park. These grasslands were considered to be out in the country.

In 1778 the corner of the present London Road and Cumberland Place was home to New Place House. The lane skirting it to the South was Goswell Lane – which later became Cumberland Place and on which sat one big house: Cumberland House.

Between these two buildings ran a small lane or footpath going north – the first indication of the future Bedford Place.

In an 1802 map this path becomes a “footway to Bannisters,”

with just two houses displayed on it, now house number 73 on the west side and 56 on the east.

Number 73 was called Oak House in Victorian days and is now an optician.

It’s believed that some of the adjoining houses in the terrace on the south side were built soon after.

The other building, number 56 and called Wilton Lodge, is now an ultrasound clinic with a dentist above. With Carlton Lodge alongside, the buildings form the corner of Carlton Crescent.

A Southampton guide book from 1885 gives us an insight into the Bedford Place of its day: “Passing through the Bargate he will soon arrive at a row of neat houses on the right called Moira place, opposite to the almshouses. A short distance beyond is Prospect Place and the newly erected buildings for Mr Bullar’s Academy.

“Passing through the turnpike gate and continuing his walk straight forward he will soon observe on his right Brunswick Place, and on his left, a lane. At the entrance of this lane stand New Place House and Cumberland House. Pursuing his course along this lane he will soon arrive at the entrance to the Polygon. However, between the two houses aforesaid is a short lane at the end of which a gate admits to a path by the side of a field affording a good view of Archer’s Lodge.

“Further on after passing two gates a path through a shady lane leads to a walk near Bannisters.

On the left of the entrance to this latter narrow lane, a short path conducts to a field in front of Bannisters where a road by a hedge leads to a meadow.”

The lane is what we now known as Bedford Place, Carlton Road and Archers Road.

In the 1820s, Bedford Place had many buildings interlaced with attractive cottages, and to serve the quickly growing community, St Paul’s Church was erected in 1829.

In the 1840s, a builder by the name of John Snook became synonymous with construction in the area, and was mentioned on multiple deeds. Bedford House, now Trinity House, at 77 Bedford Place, was built by him.

Although there are many businesses of historical importance on Bedford Place, the oldest is the firm of W.J.French and Son, dating back from the late 18th century.

In 1985 Wilton House became the home of the Free Eye Hospital, where it resided until its move to Southampton General Hospital in 1994, and the building made way for Wilton Manor Care Home.

At the southern end of Bedford Place, the New Place House was bought by the town in 1890 and the Free Library was built on its site, opening in 1893.

Neither the library nor St Paul’s Church survived the blitz of 1940.