Uncover the fascinating stories, hidden archives, and cultural milestones of the south coast as the Southampton Heritage Fair 2026 arrives at the Southampton City Art Gallery on Saturday 6 June 2026. Running from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, this completely free community exhibition brings the city’s vibrant past to life inside the Civic Centre, offering local residents, history buffs, and curious families a memorable day of discovery.
Event Schedule and Timings
The heritage exhibition runs throughout the day, kicking off with an official civic opening. Plan your day around the scheduled lectures, guided walks, and historical film screenings:
- 10:00 AM: The Heritage Fair doors officially open to the public at the Art Gallery.
- 10:10 AM – 10:20 AM: Official opening of the fair by Lord Mayor Councillor Pat Evamy in the Art Gallery Concourse.
- 10:30 AM – 11:10 AM: Talk – The History of Southampton City Art Gallery and the Development of its Permanent Collection by Tim Craven (Chair of FOSMAG and former curator) in the Art Gallery Lecture Theatre.
- 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM: Walk – The Civic Centre and D-Day Walk with Andy Skinner (Southampton City Council Lifelong Learning Manager). Meet at the fountain outside the Art Gallery.
- 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM: Talk – The City Parks: Southampton’s Unique Medieval Imprint by Ally Hayes (author and founder of Bevois Mount History) in the Art Gallery Lecture Theatre.
- 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM: Talk – Hidden Histories in Southampton: Women Hiding in Documents, and Early Black History by Dr Cheryl Butler (Historian and author) in the Art Gallery Lecture Theatre.
- 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM: Walk – A Walk Around the Local Parks with Godfrey Collyer (See Southampton Tour Guide). Meet at the fountain outside the Art Gallery.
- 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM: Talk – Itchen Steam Floating Bridge Number 8 by Jim Beckett (Chair of Hampshire Industrial Archaeology Society) in the Art Gallery Lecture Theatre.
- 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM: Film & Q&A – The Armada Chronicles, followed by a Q&A session with the cast (sponsored by the Sarah Siddons Fan Club) in the Art Gallery Lecture Theatre.
- 4:00 PM: The fair officially concludes.
The Heritage Fair Exhibitors and Features
With 28 specialist stallholders spread across two floors of the Civic Centre, attendees can connect directly with local archivists, community groups, and independent researchers safeguarding the city’s history.
Main Foyer (Ground Floor)
On arrival, explore the entry foyer to find the central information hub, historical focus groups, and maritime preservation societies:
- Information and Prize Raffle Table
- Bevois Mount History
- See Southampton
- See Southampton Cruise Welcome Team
- Steamship Shieldhall
- The Westgate
- World War Two in Southampton – Steve Crookes
Art Gallery Main Hall (Upstairs)
Head upstairs to the main gallery floor to explore community heritage projects, archaeological societies, and local history groups:
- Abri (Mansbridge Heritage Project)
- Antiquarian Bookseller – Peter Rhodes
- Bitterne Local History Society
- The Brickworks Museum (Bursledon Brickworks)
- Chinese Association of Southampton
- City of Southampton Society
- Friends of Southampton Old Cemetery
- Friends of Southampton’s Museums, Archives and Galleries
- Graphic Design Prints of Southampton – Oli Knowles
- Hampshire Archives Trust
- Hampshire Field Club and Archaeological Society
- Hampshire Industrial Archaeology Society
- Made in Millbrook
- Sarah Siddons Fan Club
- Shirley Local History Group
- Southampton Archaeology Society
- Southampton City Council Archives, Local History and Maritime Library
- Southampton City Council Monuments and Archaeology Unit
- Southampton Commons and Parks Protection Society
- Southampton Records Series
- Southampton Tourist Guides Association
- Southampton Tram Project
- The Spitfire Makers Charitable Trust
Prize Raffle Section
Support local heritage by visiting the ground floor raffle table. Tickets are available throughout the day with fantastic heritage-themed prizes up for grabs, including a spectacular top prize:
- First Prize: A Family Ticket for a Steamship Shieldhall 2026 sailing experience (valued at £112.00).
Admission and Booking Information
True to its focus on community accessibility, the event is completely open to the public without financial barriers:
- Free Entry: There are no entry fees or ticket requirements to access the main exhibition, family hubs, or stall displays.
- Walk-In Access: No pre-booking is required to enter the venue; attendees can freely drop in at any point between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
- Talks & Walks Capacity: While general admission is open, individual heritage walks and guest lectures inside the lecture theatre may have limited space, so it is highly recommended to arrive at the designated meeting points early.
How to get to Southampton City Art Gallery
The gallery is centrally located inside the north wing of the Civic Centre on Commercial Road, Southampton, SO14 7LY.
- By Train: Southampton Central Railway Station is just a 5-minute walk away. Exit the station via the north entrance (Platform 1) and walk up the hill toward the Civic Centre clock tower.
- By Bus: As a central city hub, the gallery is served by major local bus routes (including Bluestar and First Bus networks) with stops right outside the Civic Centre, on Commercial Road, and at nearby Above Bar Street.
- By Foot: Located right in the cultural quarter, the gallery is an easy walk from Westquay shopping center, the central parks, and the Guildhall square.
Where to Park
While there is no dedicated public parking directly on-site at the Civic Centre, the surrounding area offers several convenient city center options.
- Nearby Public Car Parks: Pay-and-display parking is available a short walk away at the Civic Centre Forecourt, West Park Road multi-storey, or the Marlands car park.
- Sustainable Travel: Given the excellent proximity to the central train station and bus networks, utilizing public transit is highly recommended to bypass city center weekend traffic.
Explore More Weekend Events
Looking to head straight from local history into some classic summer music? Check out our complete guide to Let’s Rock Southampton 2026 taking place at the stadium on the very same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need to book a ticket online to attend the Heritage Fair?
- No, the event is completely free and operates on a walk-in basis. No pre-booking or digital entry tickets are required to browse the exhibition floors, visit the stalls, or buy prize raffle tickets.
- Are the guided heritage walks and talks also free to join?
- Yes, the entire program—including the civic opening, all historical talks in the lecture theatre, both local heritage walks, and the film screening—is completely free of charge. Spaces inside the lecture theatre and on the walking tours are managed on a first-come, first-served basis on the day.
- Where do the heritage walks start from?
- Both scheduled outdoor walking tours meet directly at the fountain located outside the main entrance of the Southampton City Art Gallery before setting off into the Civic Centre grounds and local parks.
- What can I win in the heritage prize raffle?
- The grand prize raffle table features a variety of Southampton heritage-related rewards. The coveted first prize is a spectacular Family Ticket for a Steamship Shieldhall 2026 sailing experience, valued at £112.00.
- Is the venue fully accessible for wheelchairs and strollers?
- Yes, the Southampton City Art Gallery features full accessible entry, step-free access routes, and public elevators connecting the ground floor foyer exhibits to the main hall upstairs and the lecture theatre.
