Southampton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Southampton
City and unitary authority area
Ocean Village skyline Bargate Guildhall Town walls South Western House
Flag Logo of the City Council
Motto(s):  Gateway to the World
Shown within Hampshire
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Country	England
Region	South East England
Ceremonial county	Hampshire
Settled	c. AD 43
City status	1964
Unitary authority	1997
Government
• Type	Unitary authority, city
Area
• Urban	28.1 sq mi (72.8 km2)
Population  (2018)
• City and unitary authority area	269,781
• Estimate  (2017)	252,400 (Council area)
• Urban	855,569
• Metro	1,547,000 (South Hampshire)
Demonym(s)	Sotonian
Ethnicity (2021)
• Ethnic groups	List 80.7% White 10.6% Asian 3.3% Mixed 3% Black 2.3% other
Religion (2021)
• Religion	List 43.4% no religion 40.1% Christianity 6.6% not stated 5.6% Islam 1.7% Sikhism 1.3% Hinduism 0.7% other 0.5% Buddhism 0.1% Judaism
Time zone	UTC+0 (Greenwich Mean Time)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+1 (British Summer Time)
Postcode span	SO
Area code(s)	023 8
ISO 3166 code	GB-STH
GDP	US$ 51.6 billion
GDP per capita	US$ 37,832
GVA	2013
• Total	£9.7 bn ($15.7 bn) (12th)
• Growth	2.6%
• Per capita	£21,400 ($34,300) (15th)
• Growth	0.6%
Grid ref.	SU 42 11
ONS code	00MS (ONS) E06000045 (GSS)
Police	Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Ambulance	South Central
Fire	Hampshire and Isle of Wight

Southampton is a major port city in Hampshire, England. It's about 80 miles (129 km) southwest of London. In 2011, over 253,000 people lived here, making it one of the biggest cities in southern England.

Southampton is part of a larger group of towns and cities called South Hampshire. This area includes Portsmouth and other nearby places. The city is located where the River Test and Itchen meet, close to the New Forest. It's known as a "Medium-Port City."

Southampton has a rich history. It was the starting point for the famous RMS Titanic ship, and many people from the city were on board. The amazing Spitfire plane was also built here. The city has strong ties to the Mayflower ship, which set sail from Southampton before heading to Plymouth. For a long time, Southampton was one of Europe's main ports for large ocean liners. Today, it's a home port for some of the world's biggest cruise ships.

During World War II, Southampton was heavily bombed in what was called the Southampton Blitz. It was also a key place for troops leaving for D-Day. In the Middle Ages, soldiers left Southampton for the Battle of Agincourt. The city was also attacked by French pirates, which led to the building of its strong town walls. Many of these walls are still standing today. The famous writer Jane Austen also lived in Southampton for several years. In 1964, Southampton officially became a city.

Some big employers in Southampton include the University of Southampton, Ordnance Survey (the UK's mapping agency), BBC South, and Carnival UK (a cruise company).

Exploring Southampton's Past

From Ancient Times to the Normans

• Stone Age Settlements: People have lived in the Southampton area since the Stone Age.
• Roman Fort: Around AD 43, the Romans built a fort called Clausentum. It was an important trading port and a defense point for Winchester. This fort had walls, ditches, and even a bath house. It was used until about AD 410.
• Anglo-Saxon Hamwic: Later, the Anglo-Saxons built a new, larger settlement called Hamwic. This was near the St Mary's area of the city today. Many Saxon artifacts have been found here. The county of Hampshire gets its name from this town.
• Viking Raids: In the 9th century, Viking raids caused Hamwic to decline. By the 10th century, a new fortified town, which became medieval Southampton, was established.

Medieval Southampton: A Busy Port

• Norman Conquest: After the Norman Conquest in 1066, Southampton became a main port for travel between England's capital, Winchester, and Normandy.
• Wealthy Merchants: Southampton Castle was built in the 12th century. Old merchant houses like King John's House show how wealthy the town was.
• Trade Hub: By the 13th century, Southampton was a top port. It mainly imported French wine and exported English cloth and wool.
• Water Supply: Around 1233, a friary was founded. The friars built a water system in 1290 to bring water into the town. They let the town use this water in 1310.

Challenges and Changes in the 14th Century

• French Attack: In 1338, French, Genoese, and Monegasque ships attacked and looted Southampton. This led King Edward III to order stronger walls to be built.
• Building the Walls: The town walls were greatly rebuilt, with some parts dating back to 1175. The western walls were finished in 1380. Today, about half of the walls, 13 towers, and six gates still stand.
• Black Death Arrives: In 1348, the terrible Black Death plague reached England through merchant ships arriving at Southampton.

The 15th Century: Royal Connections and New Defenses

• Southampton Plot: Before King Henry V left for the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, some plotters were caught and executed outside the Bargate.
• God's House Tower: God's House Tower was built in 1417. It was England's first building made just for artillery. It has been used as a home for the city's gunner, a jail, and a museum.
• Shipbuilding: Shipbuilding became very important. King Henry V's famous warship Grace Dieu was built here in 1418.
• Town's Independence: In 1447, King Henry VI gave Southampton a special charter. This made it a county on its own, separate from Hampshire. The town also got its own sheriff.

16th to 18th Centuries: Spa Town and Industry

• Pilgrim Fathers: In 1620, the Pilgrim Fathers sailed from Southampton on the Mayflower.
• English Civil War: During the English Civil War in 1642, a Parliamentary army took over Southampton.
• Spa Town: Southampton became a popular spa town in 1740. People also came for sea bathing, even without a great beach.
• Industrial Innovation: Local engineer Walter Taylor created machines in the 18th century that helped the Industrial Revolution. The port was also used for military ships during wars with France.

Victorian Era: Growth and "Gateway to the Empire"

• Docks Expansion: The town grew a lot during the Victorian era. The Southampton Docks company was formed in 1835. The first dock opened in 1842.
• Railway Link: A railway line to London opened in 1840. Southampton then became known as The Gateway to the Empire.
• Busy Port: The port was used for military ships during wars like the Crimean War and the Boer War.

20th Century: Titanic, Spitfire, and World Wars

• Shipbuilding: From 1904 to 2004, the Thornycroft shipbuilding yard was a major employer. They built and repaired ships for both World Wars.
• RMS Titanic: In 1912, the RMS Titanic sailed from Southampton. Many of the crew were from the city, and about a third of those who died were Sotonians. You can visit the Titanic Engineers' Memorial in East Park.
• Cruise Capital: Southampton became the main port for Cunard's transatlantic passenger services, with ships like RMS Queen Mary and RMS Queen Elizabeth.
• World War Importance: Southampton was a key military port in both World War I and World War II. It was central to the preparations for D-Day in 1944.
• Spitfire's Home: The famous Supermarine Spitfire plane was designed and developed in Southampton. Its designer, R J Mitchell, lived here.
• Heavy Bombing: World War II bombing hit Southampton very hard due to its importance. Many buildings were damaged or destroyed.
• City Status: In 1964, Southampton officially became a city. In 1997, it became a unitary authority, meaning it manages its own local services.

Southampton Today: 21st Century Developments

• Modern Growth: In the 2010s, new buildings and areas were completed in the city.
• Westquay South: The Westquay South area opened in 2016. It has a public plaza used for events like ice skating and Wimbledon tennis screenings.
• Cultural Quarter: New buildings for the John Hansard Gallery and the Nuffield Theatre opened in the "cultural quarter" in 2017.

How Southampton is Governed

Southampton has a long history of managing its own affairs. Back in the 1100s, the town and its port were given special rights by the King to collect taxes. This gave Southampton more independence from the county of Hampshire.

In 1447, King Henry VI gave Southampton a charter that made it a county on its own. This meant it had its own sheriff. In 1964, Southampton became a city.

Today, Southampton City Council runs the city. It's a unitary authority, which means it handles most local government services for the city, like education and social services.

• Council Members: The council has 51 councillors, with three for each of the 17 areas (wards).
• Elections: Elections are held almost every year for some of the seats.
• Current Control: The Labour Party has been in charge since 2022.
• Members of Parliament: The city has three Members of Parliament (MPs) who represent it in the national government.

The Mayor and Sheriff

• Mayor's Role: The first mayor of Southampton served in 1222. The mayor is a special leader for the city.
• First Female Mayor: The first female mayor was Lucia Foster Welch, elected in 1927.
• Current Mayor: The current mayor of Southampton is Councillor David Shields.
• Ceremonial Sheriff: Southampton is one of only 16 places in England and Wales to have a ceremonial sheriff. This person helps the mayor and usually becomes the mayor the following year.
• Lord Mayor Status: In 2022, Southampton was given the special title of "Lord Mayor" as part of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours. The current Mayor became the first Lord Mayor of Southampton in February 2023.

Town Crier

• John Melody: From 2004 to 2014, the town crier was John Melody, known for his loud voice.
• Current Town Crier: Southampton's current Town Crier is Alan Spencer.

Sister Cities

Southampton has "twinning" links with several cities around the world:

• Le Havre in France (since 1973)
• Rems-Murr-Kreis in Germany (since 1991)
• Trieste in Italy (since 2002)
• Hampton, Virginia, in the US
• Qingdao in China (since 1998)
• Busan in South Korea (since 1978)
• Miami, Florida, in the US (since 2019)

Southampton's Location and Environment

Geography and Rivers

Southampton's location is greatly shaped by the sea and rivers.

• Southampton Water: The city sits at the top of Southampton Water, a deep water area that opens into The Solent.
• River Junction: The River Test and Itchen meet at the head of Southampton Water.
• City Centre: The city centre is located between these two rivers.
• Docks: The Eastern Docks were built in the 1830s by reclaiming land. The Western Docks were created in the 1930s using material from dredging Southampton Water. This helps big ships move easily.
• Double High Tide: Southampton Water has a special "double high tide." This means there are two high tide peaks, which makes it easier for large ships to come and go. This is due to the shape and depth of the English Channel.

Areas and Green Spaces

Southampton has many different areas, including council wards and suburbs.

• Southampton Common: The largest green space is the 148-hectare Southampton Common. It hosts festivals, circuses, and fun fairs. It also has a wildlife center, a paddling pool, and lakes.
• New Homes: Between 2006 and 2007, 1,267 new homes were built in the city, mostly flats.
• Nearby Towns: Some towns outside the city, like Eastleigh and Totton, are often seen as suburbs of Southampton.

Weather and Climate

• Mild Climate: Southampton has an oceanic climate, like the rest of the UK. Its southern location means it's one of the warmer and sunnier cities.
• Record Heat: It holds the UK record for the highest temperature in June, at 35.6°C (96.1°F) since 1976.

Average sea temperature

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
9.5 °C (49.1 °F)	9.0 °C (48.2 °F)	8.6 °C (47.5 °F)	9.8 °C (49.6 °F)	11.4 °C (52.5 °F)	13.5 °C (56.3 °F)	15.3 °C (59.5 °F)	16.8 °C (62.2 °F)	17.3 °C (63.1 °F)	16.2 °C (61.2 °F)	14.4 °C (57.9 °F)	11.8 °C (53.2 °F)	12.8 °C (55.0 °F)

Geothermal Energy

• Hot Water Source: The center of Southampton sits above a large hot water aquifer. This provides geothermal power to some city buildings.
• UK's Only Geothermal Plant: This energy is used at a plant in the West Quay area. It's the only geothermal power station in the UK.
• Clean Energy: The plant provides electricity for the Port of Southampton and hot water for heating many buildings, including the Westquay shopping center. In 2006, Southampton was ranked as one of the UK cities with the lowest carbon emissions.

Southampton's People

• Population: In 2016, about 254,275 people lived in Southampton.
• Census Data (2011): The 2011 Census showed 253,651 people in the Southampton area. There were slightly more males than females.
• Age Groups: The largest age group is 30-44 years old.
• Ethnic Mix (2011): The population was 86.4% white, 8.1% Asian, 2.0% black, 1.1% other, and 2.3% mixed ethnicity.
• Population Growth: Between 1996 and 2004, the city's population grew by 4.9%, one of the biggest increases in England.
• Density: In 2005, Southampton was the third most densely populated city in the country, after London and Portsmouth.
• Youthful City: The average age in Southampton in 2016 was 37.6 years, making it one of the UK's most youthful cities.
• South Hampshire: Southampton is part of the larger South Hampshire area, which has over 1.5 million people.

Diversity in Southampton

Southampton is a diverse city with people from many different backgrounds.

Ethnic group	2001		2011		2021
	Number	%	Number	%	Number	%
White: Total	200,859	92.4%	203,528	85.9%	200,829	80.7%
White: British	192,970	88.7%	183,980	77.7%	169,481	68.1%
White: Irish	2,298		1,746		1643	0.7%
White: Gypsy or Irish Traveller	–	–	341		340	0.1%
White: Roma	–	–	–	–	578	0.2%
White: Other	5,591	2.6%	17,461		28,787	11.6%
Asian or Asian British: Total	9,887	4.5%	19,892	8.4%	26,414	10.6%
Asian or Asian British: Indian	4,717		6,742		9,169	3.7%
Asian or Asian British: Pakistani	1,743		3,019		4,248	1.7%
Asian or Asian British: Bangladeshi	961		1,401		2,064	0.8%
Asian or Asian British: Chinese	1,633		3,449		4,149	1.7%
Asian or Asian British: Other Asian	833		5,281		6,784	2.7%
Black or Black British: Total	2,245	1%	5,067	2.1%	7,539	3%
Black or Black British: Caribbean	1,034		1,132		5,627	2.3%
Black or Black British: African	1,054		3,508		1,103	0.4%
Black or Black British: Other Black	157		427		809	0.3%
Mixed or British Mixed: Total	3,267	1.5%	5,678	2.4%	8,309	3.4%
Mixed: White and Black Caribbean	1,010		1,678		2,173	0.9%
Mixed: White and Black African	480		941		1,535	0.6%
Mixed: White and Asian	1,061		1,796		2,444	1.0%
Mixed: Other Mixed	716		1,263		2,157	0.9%
Other: Total	1,187	0.5%	2,717	1.1%	5,829	2.3%
Other: Arab	–	–	1,312		1,311	0.5%
Other: Any other ethnic group	1,187		1,405		4,518	1.8%
Non-White: Total	16,586	7.6%	33,354	14.1%	48,091	19.3%
Total	217,445	100%	236,882	100%	248,920	100%

Religion in Southampton

Religion	2001		2011
	Number	%	Number	%
Holds religious beliefs	153,014	70.2	140,793	59.4
Christian	142,531	65.5	122,018	51.5
Buddhist	712	0.3	1,331	0.6
Hindu	1,535	0.7	2,482	1.0
Jewish	293	0.1	254	0.1
Muslim	4,185	1.9	9,903	4.2
Sikh	2,799	1.3	3,476	1.5
Other religion	959	0.4	1,329	0.6
(No religion and Religion not stated)	64,431	29.6	96,089	40.6
No religion	47,004	21.6	79,379	33.5
Religion not stated	17,427	8.0	16,710	7.1
Total population	217,445	100.0	236,882	100.0

Southampton's Economy and Jobs

• Employment: In 2016–17, about 71.4% of Southampton residents aged 16–64 had jobs. This was a bit lower than the national average.
• Unemployment: About 5% of people looking for work were unemployed.
• Key Job Sectors:

* Over a quarter of jobs are in health and education. * 19% are in property and business. * 16.2% are in wholesale and retail.

• Job Growth: Between 1995 and 2004, the number of jobs in Southampton grew by 18.5%.
• Average Salary: In 2007, the average yearly salary was £22,267, which was lower than the national average.

The Port and Its Importance

• Historic Port: Southampton has always been a port, and the docks have provided many jobs.
• Cruise Ship Hub: It's a major port for cruise ships. In the early 20th century, it handled almost half of the UK's passenger traffic.
• Freight Port: Today, it's the largest freight port on the English Channel coast. It's also the fourth-largest UK port by weight of goods.
• Ocean Village: Parts of the eastern docks have been redeveloped, like the Ocean Village with its marina and entertainment.
• Maritime Headquarters: Southampton is home to the main offices of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.

Shopping and Development

• Westquay Shopping Centre: The largest shopping center is Westquay Shopping Centre, which opened in 2000. It has big stores like John Lewis and Marks and Spencer.
• IKEA: A large IKEA store opened in 2009.
• Marlands: Marlands is another shopping center built in the 1990s.
• Westquay South: The third phase of the West Quay development, now called Westquay South, opened in 2016–2017.
• City Ranking: In 2007, Southampton was ranked 13th for shopping in the UK.

Future Growth and Projects

• Bargate Quarter: A £132 million project called the Bargate Quarter started in 2022. It will add over 500 new homes, shops, restaurants, and a new park.
• Maritime Gateway: A £200 million plan near Southampton Central Railway Station will create 600 new homes and business spaces.
• Leisure World: The Leisure World area is being redeveloped with new homes, hotels, a cinema, and restaurants.
• Economic Growth: Southampton's economy is growing well. It was valued at £8.3 billion in 2020.

Culture, Media, and Sports in Southampton

Cultural Highlights

• Medieval Walls: The city has the longest surviving stretch of medieval walls in England.
• Museums: You can visit several museums:

* Tudor House Museum: Reopened in 2011 after restoration. * Southampton Maritime Museum * God's House Tower: An archaeology museum in one of the old tower walls. * Medieval Merchant's House * Solent Sky: Focuses on aviation history. * SeaCity Museum: Located in the civic center, it tells the story of Southampton's trading past and the Titanic.

• Southampton Boat Show: This big event happens every September at Mayflower Park. Over 600 exhibitors are there.
• Theatres:

* Mayflower Theatre: The largest theatre in southern England outside London. It hosts big West End shows. * Nuffield Theatre: Based at the University of Southampton, it's the city's main theatre for producing plays.

• Art Galleries:

* Southampton City Art Gallery: Has important national and traveling art exhibitions. * Solent Showcase and John Hansard Gallery: Other innovative art galleries. * Art Vaults: Uses medieval vaults for modern art installations.

Cultural Quarter and Events

• Cultural Hub: Southampton's Cultural Quarter has many galleries, museums, theatres, restaurants, and cafes.
• Guildhall Square: This square often hosts events like Southampton Pride, Chinese New Year, and the Southampton Marathon.
• UK City of Culture Bid: Southampton was a finalist for the UK City of Culture 2025. The city aimed to celebrate its people, history, diversity, sports, and green spaces.

Music Scene

• Big Venues: Southampton has two large music venues: the Mayflower Theatre and the Guildhall. The Guildhall has hosted famous bands like Pink Floyd and Oasis.
• Smaller Venues: Smaller venues like the Brook, Engine Rooms, and The Joiners also host many acts. The Joiners has seen early performances from bands like Radiohead and Coldplay.
• Local Talent: Many musicians are from Southampton, including pop star Craig David, Coldplay drummer Will Champion, and singer Foxes. Rock bands like Band of Skulls and Bury Tomorrow also formed here.

Media Outlets

• Newspaper: The local newspaper is the Southern Daily Echo.
• BBC South: BBC South has its main office in the city center. It broadcasts South Today (local TV news) and BBC Radio Solent.
• Local TV: That's Solent is a local TV channel for Southampton and Portsmouth.
• Radio Stations:

* Unity 101 Community Radio: For Asian and ethnic communities. * Voice FM: Broadcasts from St Mary's. * Awaaz FM: Also for the Asian and ethnic community. * Fiesta FM. * SURGE: The University of Southampton's radio station.

Sports in Southampton

• Southampton Football Club: The city is home to Southampton F.C., nicknamed "The Saints." They play in the Premier League at St Mary's Stadium.

* History: They won the FA Cup in 1976 and were runners-up in the 1984 First Division. * Rivalry: They have a strong rivalry with Portsmouth F.C..

• Women's Football: Southampton Women's F.C. won the first Women's FA Cup in 1971 and won it eight times in total.
• Cricket: Hampshire County Cricket Club plays at the Ageas Bowl in West End. The Southern Brave team from The Hundred also plays there.

• Basketball: The Solent Kestrels are a semi-professional basketball club.
• Hockey: Southampton Hockey Club is one of the largest in Hampshire.
• Rugby: The city has several amateur rugby teams, including Trojans RFC.
• Yachting: Southampton is great for yachting and water sports, with many marinas. The Volvo Ocean Race was based here for many years.
• Sports Centre: Southampton Sports Centre offers activities like a dry ski slope and athletics.
• "Fittest City": In 2006, Men's Fitness magazine named Southampton the "fittest city in the UK."
• Oldest Bowling Green: The Southampton Old Bowling Green was first used in 1299, making it the world's oldest surviving bowling green.
• Underwater Hockey: The city has two Octopush (underwater hockey) clubs.

Emergency Services

• Police: Hampshire Constabulary provides police services. Their main building opened in 2011 near Southampton Central railway station.
• Fire Service: Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service covers Southampton with three fire stations.
• Ambulance Service: South Central Ambulance Service provides ambulance services from stations on the city's outskirts.
• Coastguard: The national headquarters of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency is in Commercial Road.

Learning in Southampton

Southampton has two universities and many schools.

• Universities:

* University of Southampton: Founded in 1862, it has over 22,000 students. It's known for research in engineering, oceanography, and computer science. It's also home to the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton (NOCS). * Southampton Solent University: Has 17,000 students. It's strong in training for business and industry. It also hosts the Warsash Maritime Academy, which trains people for international shipping.

• Colleges:

* Sixth-form colleges: Itchen College and Richard Taunton Sixth Form College. * Further education college: Southampton City College.

• Schools: There are 79 state-run schools in Southampton, including nursery, infant, junior, primary, and secondary schools. There are also independent schools like The Gregg School and King Edward VI School.

Getting Around Southampton

Road Travel

• Motorways: Southampton has good road links. The M27 motorway runs north of the city, connecting it to other south coast towns. The M3 motorway links the city to London. The M271 motorway connects to the docks and city center.

Train Travel

• Main Station: Southampton Central is the main train station.
• Routes: Trains run to Portsmouth, London, Bournemouth, Bristol, and Cardiff.
• History: The railway line to London opened in 1840. The railway companies helped develop the city's docks.

Air Travel

• Southampton Airport: This regional airport is just north of the city in Eastleigh. It offers flights to UK and nearby European places. You can get there by train or bus.
• Larger Airports: For longer flights, Gatwick Airport and Heathrow Airport are easily reached by train or coach.

Ocean and Cruise Ships

• Luxury Cruises: Southampton has been a hub for luxury cruises since the 1840s. It was a main port for passenger travel to North America.
• World's Largest Ships: Many of the world's biggest cruise ships visit Southampton.
• Cunard Line: The city has a special link to Cunard Line ships. The Queen Elizabeth 2 made its final departure from here in 2008. New Cunard ships are often named in Southampton.
• "Arrival of the Three Queens": Sometimes, the Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Victoria all visit Southampton at the same time, a special event called 'Arrival of the Three Queens'.
• Air Quality: There have been concerns about air quality from cruise ships. However, since 2021, the Port of Southampton has added shore power. This means ships can plug in and turn off their engines while docked, reducing pollution.

Ferry Services

• Internal Ferries: Southampton is a base for three ferry services to the Isle of Wight (to East Cowes and Cowes) and to Hythe.
• Past Cross-Channel Ferries: Southampton used to have ferries to places like San Sebastian and Lisbon. Most of these services moved to Portsmouth by 1996.

Bus Services

• Main Operator: Go South Coast runs most bus services, including Bluestar and Unilink.
• Other Services: First Solent and Xelabus also run some routes.
• Dial-a-Ride: There's a special minibus service called Southampton Dial-a-Ride for residents who can't use public transport.

Tram History

• Old Tram System: Southampton had a tram system from 1879 to 1949.
• Lucy Boxes: You can still see "Lucy Boxes" around the city. These were power distribution boxes for the old tram lines.

Cycling

• Cycling Strategy: Southampton City Council is building new cycling routes across the city as part of a ten-year plan started in 2017.

Famous People from Southampton

People from Southampton are called Sotonians.

• Musicians:

* Isaac Watts: A hymn writer born in 1674. * Craig David: Pop star who grew up in the city. * Will Champion: Drummer for Coldplay. * Foxes: Grammy Award-winning pop star.

• TV Personalities:

* Benny Hill: Comedian. * Chris Packham: Naturalist. * Matt Cardle: Winner of The X Factor in 2010. * Shelina Permalloo: Winner of MasterChef in 2012. * Scott Mills: Radio personality.

• Writers and Artists:

* Jane Austen: Famous novelist who lived in Southampton. * Emily Davies: A key figure in the feminist and suffragist movements, born in 1830.

• Sports Stars:

* Mike Brown: Rugby player. * Wayne Bridge: England Football Player. * Lucy Quinn: Republic of Ireland national football team player.

• Seafarers:

* Charles Fryatt: Rammed a German U-boat in World War I. * Millvina Dean: The last survivor of the RMS Titanic.

• Other Notable People:

* Rishi Sunak: Former UK Prime Minister, born in Southampton in 1980. * Ken Russell: Film director, born in 1927. * Laura Carmichael: Actress from Downton Abbey, grew up here.

Freedom of the City

The "Freedom of the City" is a special honor given to people or military groups.

Individuals Honored

• Field Marshal Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts: 1901.
• Field Marshal Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener: 1902.
• David Lloyd George: 1923.
• Ted Bates: 2001.
• Matthew Le Tissier: 2002.
• Lawrence McMenemy: 2007.
• Dame Mary Fagan: 2013.
• Francis Benali: 2016.
• Albert Warne: 2022.

Military Units Honored

• The Royal Hampshire Regiment: 1946.
• 17 Port and Maritime Regiment, RLC: 2000.
• HMS Southampton, RN: 2000.

Images for kids

• 

  Part of Southampton's Town Walls

• 

  Home Secretary John Anderson with members of the Auxiliary Fire Service in Southampton in February 1940

• 

  Evacuee children returning to Southampton from Australia aboard the troop ship Andes in September 1945

See also

In Spanish: Southampton para niños