God's House Tower Museum of Archaeology
Welcome to Southampton's Museum of Archaeology. The museum displays artefacts from prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and medieval Southampton.
SUMMER OPENING HOURS
Mon - Wed: Closed to the general public, schools and learning groups please call for information
Thu - Fri: 10 – 6pm
Sat - Sun: 11 - 6pm
Contact Details:
Address: Tower House, Winkle Street, Southampton
Postcode: SO14 2NY
Telephone: 023 8063 5904
Email: museums@southampton.gov.uk
Fax: 023 8033 9601
Details of service:
Welcome to Southampton's Museum of Archaeology. The museum displays artefacts from prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and medieval Southampton. It also has objects from outside Southampton, including some from ancient Egypt. God's House Tower itself is a fascinating historic building.
For more information about the archaeology of Southampton and about museum objects from outside the city, including a collection of Egyptian artefacts, follow the links at the bottom of this page.
To search the archaeological collections, follow the link at the bottom of this page
Access Information for disabled visitors to the Museum
There is a designated parking bay immediately outside, however there is no wheelchair access to the museum, as all exhibits are on the upper floors of the building. Staircase information - 15 steps up to the first landing, and a further 7 steps up to the museum shop, and another 8 steps up to the 'Medieval Southampton' exhibition. There is a further step up to the 'Roman Clausentum' exhibition. From here there are 22 steps to the top of the tower. 12 steps reach the 'Saxon Hamwic' exhibition up from the shop area. Touch objects - please ask the attendants for access to our handling collections.
Exhibitions at Southampton Museums
Southampton Museums have an exciting and extraordinary selection of events and exhibitions this year for everyone to enjoy. Find out more here.
God's House Tower: A History of the Museum
God's House Tower stands at the south-east corner of the town walls that had once encircled medieval Southampton. The whole structure is really an amalgamation of two buildings: a simple gatehouse, built in the late 13th century; and a massive spur work, an early 15th century addition consisting of a two-storey gallery and a three-storey tower.
Medieval Southampton
The Medieval Walled Town area of Southampton is bounded by Bargate in the north, The Walls and Lower Canal Walk in the east, Town Quay in the south and Western Esplanade in the west.
Prehistoric Southampton
Evidence for prehistoric activity is scattered all over Southampton. Some of our earliest finds are the remains of animals that lived here in the Pleistocene period (2,000,000 bc - 8,300 bc).
Roman Southampton
Roman Clausentum was situated in what is now the Bitterne Manor area of Southampton. Its northern boundary is the River Itchen with Rampart Road the eastern, Quayside the southern and Hawkeswood Road being the western boundary.
Saxon Southampton
Saxon Hamwic was situated in an area now covered by the Queensland, Belvidere, Chapel and Crosshouse districts of Southampton.
Southampton from Prehistoric to Post-Medieval Times
Southampton from Prehistoric to Post-Medieval Times
Last updated: 3 June 2009
