IN Georgian times, Southampton prided itself as one of the great spa towns of Britain.

High society, even royalty, were regular visitors, coming to Southampton to take the sea air and drink the medicinal waters that bubbled near Western Esplanade.

The water appeared in an area that was known as the Cherry Gardens, which were surrounded by orchards and, at one time, botanical gardens.

Ladies in their finest gowns and men in the latest fashions promenaded along High Street and attended dances and balls. There was a thriving cafe society where intellectuals discussed the latest stories in the newspapers while other customers sat and tittle-tattled about the latest events in Southampton.

High Street was even compared to some of the smartest areas of London and featured elegant buildings and premises with stylish shopfronts.

The whole area was alive with people out and about to see and be seen.

However, as Southampton enjoyed the peak of its fame there was another side to the story. It was a time of wars and rumours of conflicts with France, Spain and the Netherlands.

Southampton became a military centre with its cavalry barracks, which was later to become the home of Ordnance Survey at the northern end of London Road, troops were continually camped near the town and passing through it on their way to the docks and overseas destinations.

Records say: “This fact had a certain social value, although the behaviour of some of the troops was far from satisfactory and caused annoyance to the inhabitants.’’ As Napoleon became bolder, the activities of the military in Southampton increased and local volunteers thought they might be called upon to see off an invasion.

Meanwhile, at Buckler’s Hard on the Beaulieu River, the men-ofwar of the period were being built - some of which were to go into action under the command of Lord Nelson himself - and the yards were also busy at Northam and Chapel constructing other vessels for the fleet.

While fashionable visitors were dancing, playing cards and flirting, the dreaded press gang that seized men to serve in the Royal Navy was paying regular visits to Southampton, tearing young men from their jobs, husbands and fathers from their families.

Daily Echo: Above Bar Street

Highwaymen were also a threat and many a person from Southampton knew what it was like to have their money stolen while travelling in a stagecoach that had set off from the Dolphin in High Street.

There was discontent locally as the poor looked on as the rich indulged themselves in luxuries and frivolity.

As the well-to-do walked along the streets, according to the records, there were sometimes “groanings and hootings’’ from the locals from less affluent areas.

One young man attending a fancy dress ball at the Polygon - then a newly risen centre of hotel and social life - was indiscreet enough to walk in his “extravagant and gay raiment’’ and was chased by a mob.