Standing in the open air on the ramparts of God’s House Tower, the port spread out on one side and the sprawl of the city centre to the other, it’s clear just how many key moments of world history Southampton has borne witness to. For cruise fans, it’s best known as Britain’s busiest port, but over the centuries this south coast city has seen ships depart for the Spanish Armada, the Mayflower set sail for America, the fateful maiden voyage of the Titanic and even the much-vaunted return of troops from the Falklands on board the Canberra.
Henry V marched through its still-standing Westgate on his way to the battlefields of Agincourt, Jane Austen spent longer living here
