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The medieval Bargate gatehouse was built out of flint and stone by the Normans in 1180, the large drum towers with arrow slit windows were added to the north side in 1290. There are 11 Heraldic shields here made from Caen stone, but in a bad state of repair. Today the Southampton Solent University use the Bargate for as a temporary exhibition location. TIP: This is a great place to meet people when visiting Southampton. Thanks for reading. I’ll appreciate a thumbs up below if you’ve found this helpful.…
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Date of experience: December 2019
1 Helpful vote
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We discovered this gatehouse whilst walking around Southampton during a short two night stay in the town. We had already come across remnants of the old city wall in the ‘Old Town’ area and after walking around the more developed parts and returning to our hotel came across this gateway. The Bargate is an impressive medieval gatehouse now unfortunately shorn of its once adjoining walls. This would once have been a city gate and it is obviously built to keep out raiders with its murder holes above the gates from which to drop things on attackers and arrow slits. If you walk through the passage between the entrances (which presumably both had portcullises) there are more arrow slots from which to fire at the unwary. Viewed from what would have been the inside of the city wall, the structure looks more innocent and less imposing. The original structure was 12th century Norman and was later strengthened by the addition of circular towers to the front. It may be possible then that as constructed, the front of the gatehouse had the same profile as the rear today. There are some plaques in the vicinity giving a descriptive review of the building. Worth a look if you are visiting the town, it certainly catches the eye. Our scoring reflects its merits as a tourist attraction relevant to other places.…
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Date of experience: September 2020
1 Helpful vote
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Interesting building in the heart of the city centre with a lot of old medieval walls around it you can walk on.
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Date of experience: September 2020
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interesting structure. Presumably the gates that at one point connected to the city walls. Worth a photo whilst walking through and on to the walls
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Date of experience: August 2020
1 Helpful vote
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We would love to know more about this very impressive structure - with ample room for a double portcullis it was a substantial testament to the power, and wealth of the town. In medieval times it formed a strategic part of the town defenses, particularly from the sea / Solent. Sadly much of the surrounding walls have gone either history, poor planning or Second World War bombing. Unhappily there appears to be no access for visitors, nor any real information either. It looks neglected by the local authority, as the stonework and what little is to be seen, badly needs some attention paid to it.…
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Date of experience: March 2020
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