From its origins as a Stone Age settlement and as a port in Roman times, Southampton has grown into the city and major passenger port we now know. In his talk to the Lentune Ladies Club today, Andrew Skinner provided an insight into Southampton in Georgian times: the age of spas, stage coaches and highwaymen.

The original town was small, comprising three streets, French Street, Bugle Street and High Street, surrounded by the town wall. It grew slowly, initially building on trade in salt, Cornish tin and Channel Islands butter. Then in 1773 the Chalybeate Spring was discovered in Hastings, "taking the water" became popular and the discovery of a similar spring in Southampton vastly increased the city's popularity with the gentry.

This led to the development of gardens and bath houses leading down to the seafront, further boosting the popularity of Southampton as a recreational and health centre. Assembly rooms were added in the 1800s, providing a focal point for social life in the town, followed by the first theatre in 1805. Horse racing became a social attraction and hotels were built {the Dolphin & the Star} to accommodate the growing number of visitors to the town. 

Business also grew and from the mid 1800s Southampton became a leading passenger liner port. HMS Saturn was one of the first ships built locally in 1839 and shipping and the maritime industry remain important to Southampton to this day.