Southampton, England

Our adventure began today with a stop for lunch in Newbury in the Berkshire area of England on our way to Southampton. This is St Nicolas, a 16th century Norman church.

There was also a lovely old building with interesting supports for the balconies.

Southampton still has part of a medieval wall surrounding the old town. The wall was completed in the 14th century and today roughly half of the walls, 13 of the original towers, and six gates survive.

Southampton is also home to a lovely old pub called the Duke of Wellington. The dark timbered building was originally built upon Norman vaults and cellars in 1220 and was first leased out to Benedict Ace, one of the city's earliest mayors.
In 1494 the building was for the first time converted into a public house after being bought by brewer Rowland Johnson. Johnson not only sold drink but also started brewing his own and subsequently set up the city's first brewery.
In 1620 the pub would have been passed many times by the Pilgrim Fathers on their way to the Mayflower, which sailed its maiden voyage to the New World from the bottom of Bugle Street where the pub is located.

Posted with Blogsy