Southampton City Council completes first phase of conservation project

Southampton City Council is restoring several structures - many of which are medieval, including the Town Walls, the remains of Southampton Castle, wine vaults, the Bargate and the Westgate.

These structures form part of historic Southampton tours, attracting local visitors and tourists to generate economic benefits for the city.

Cllr Lorna Fielker, leader of Southampton City Council, said: “Our heritage buildings and monuments have shaped our city for hundreds of years and play an important part of telling our Southampton story as a gateway to the world.

“We know that many local people and visitors enjoy exploring our town walls, vaults and other monuments, and this programme of repairs will preserve our much-loved heritage for future generations to enjoy and learn from.”

The first phase of repairs started in June last year and included internal and external repair works to Tudor House to maintain and protect the venue.

High profile monuments such as the Town Walls and St Mary’s Churchyard Wall also had repairs.

Forty Steps near Western Esplanade were repaired whilst there were roof repairs in Quilters Vault, the Westgate and the Bargate.

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The Castle Bailey Wall, next to the car park in Castle Way, benefitted from a range of repairs which included vegetation treatment and removal, mortar repairs, stonework replacement, sedum capping and rebuilding of existing stonework.

The wall was also repointed and given a protective green turf capping which was carefully selected to protect the top of the walls.

The heritage repair project will ensure these nationally important historical assets will be available for the people of Southampton and visitors from across the globe to enjoy for the decades ahead.

Alex Bellisario, Assistant Inspector of Ancient Monuments at Historic England, commented: “We are delighted to see the continued emphasis Southampton City Council is giving its heritage.

“We are working with and supporting the council and their conservation architects on this programme of repairs, providing expert advice.”

He added: “We hope the conservation of these archaeological remains, which tell such a wonderful story of Southampton’s past, will ensure they are protected for hundreds of years to come.

“We also hope that the investment by the council in these monuments will invigorate interest about the city’s past and its future for those who live and visit here.”