New exhibition blends medieval history with modern technology at Tudor House & Garden
A new exhibition at Tudor House & Garden is bringing Southampton’s medieval past vividly to life through immersive technology and historic artefacts.
Where Past Meets Present: Preserving Medieval Southampton opened on 24 May 2025, revealing how the city’s heritage has been preserved—and reimagined—for future generations.
The exhibition was developed in collaboration with the University of Southampton, following a request from Southampton City Council to help transform historical materials into a more interactive and accessible experience. It features contributions from multiple groups around the University and was supported by the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI) and the Southampton Institute for Arts and Humanities (SIAH).
Centred on Southampton’s medieval port and defensive walls—built after the 1338 French raid and still standing on the city’s western edge—the exhibition uses archival material, watercolours, and cutting-edge tools like laser scanning and augmented reality to explore over a century of preservation efforts. Visitors can step inside the story of how urban development, war damage, and conservation have shaped the city’s landscape.
Blending history with innovation, the exhibition offers an engaging experience for all ages and encourages reflection on how we protect and understand our shared past.
Where Past Meets Present runs at Tudor House & Garden from 24 May 2025. Tickets can be purchased on the day or booked in advance at a discount. Standard adult entry is under £10, with concessions and family options available. Every ticket includes unlimited visits for a year.
Visit Tudor House & Garden to book or learn more.
Credits
Where Past Meets Present: Preserving Medieval Southampton was made possible through a collaborative effort between the Southampton City Council, the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute, and the Southampton Institute for Arts and Humanities, with support from Digital Humanities , Archaeology , Film Studies , and Ocean and Earth Science at the University of Southampton.
Special thanks to Dr Felix Pedrotti (Senior Research Assistant with the SMMI), who coordinated the University’s involvement and shaped key exhibition elements, including the augmented reality experiences, 3D printing displays, and visual design.
Main collaborators:
- Richard Henry – Southampton City Council (Museum Collections)
- Kristian Strutt – Archaeology
- Michael Grant – Ocean and Earth Science
Additional contributors:
- James Macdonell , Luke Aspland , and Arantza Novelo Franco – Digital Humanities
- Samuel Pegg – Film
- Neil Cooper – Archaeology
With further support from:
- Carolyn Abel , Andrew Russel , Emma Anderson , and Jo Bailey – Southampton City Council
We also acknowledge the contribution of various undergraduate and postgraduate students from the University of Southampton who participated in the project.