22 July 2022
Southampton’s visitors can get lost in history without losing their tour guide thanks to brand new jackets.
Two local guiding associations, See Southampton and the Southampton Tour Guides Association (STGA) have this year teamed up to provide a year-round programme of city walks, covering some 2000 years of the city’s history – and covering themselves too in brand new uniforms that will make them easier to spot.
The guides take visitors on a journey through Southampton’s underground vaults and towers, back to Roman times and the Norman invasion, right through to the city’s link with the RMS Titanic and the role played by Southampton during the First and Second World Wars.
While there will be plenty of history for visitors to fully immerse themselves in, it’s now much easier for groups to stick together, thanks to new red and blue jackets and voice amplifying equipment facilitated by GO! Southampton and Southampton City Council and funded through the Welcome Back Fund.
Despite experiencing some of the hottest weather on record, the tour guides couldn’t wait to model their new jackets and are looking forward to welcoming more visitors to Southampton in the coming weeks.
Nigel Philpott and Inge Foster, respective Chairs of See Southampton and the STGA, were delighted with the new clothing. Nigel said: “It helps us stand out as tour guides when we commence our walks at the Bargate and will ensure we can lead walks in all but the very worst weather. We stick to the shade during warm spells and to more sheltered areas in the wet!”
Stephen Manion, Executive Director at GO! Southampton said: “Southampton has a long and proud history, which is shared so passionately with thousands of visitors by See Southampton and STGA through the enthusiasm, knowledge and commitment of their guides. Our unique, and extensive, built heritage from Medieval to Victorian eras is brought to life in these wonderful walking tours with the stories and the personalities who have shaped the city we enjoy today. GO! Southampton is proud to support this great commitment, in all weathers, with these fantastic new jackets.”
Tours currently take place twice daily on Saturdays and Sundays at 10.30am and 1.30pm. Walks last approximately 1½ hrs and are just £7 per person, with children up to 16 years admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Visitors can just pitch up at the Bargate before the scheduled departure time and pay the guide on arrival.
Walks will continue through the summer until the end of September, after which walks will take place at weekends at 1.30pm, up until the end of March 2023. See Southampton has card readers and accepts cash on the day. STGA advertises their tours through wegottickets.com/TourGuides1976 as well as pay on the day.
