The Stranger Is Always Watching: 36 street photos taken around Southampton

It’s been nine years since I last visited Southampton on England’s south coast, but I was playing a gig with my new band last weekend, I took time out to take a stroll around town. Here’s some photos from my walk.

Above: a cyclist passes graffiti with the curious slogan, “The Stranger Is Always Watching.”

The imposing west wing of Southampton’s 1930s Civic Centre, dominated by the famous clock tower known locally as ‘Kimber’s Chimney.’

Sticker.

This less than inspiring concrete sculpture in Watts (West) Park is by Paul De Monchaux, and it’s called ‘Enclosure’.

Discarded armchair, The Polygon.

Bedford Place is the go-to street if you’re feeling peckish at night. We went looking for the ‘Pride Of India’ only to find it looking very closed indeed.

We were playing a headline show at the splendid Talking Heads venue. Here’s the support act, Accrington Stanley, in action. They were fine chaps.

Big name, small sign.

Southampton goes big on shiny shopping malls.

Workers take a break.

Down by the docks with the traditional abandoned shopping trolley in the foreground.

Kuti’s Royal Pier, now a Thai restaurant and long-since devoid of its 900 foot pier.

Striking white building facing Bugle Street.

Last time I visited, this was once-grand building was operating as the Harbour House Nightclub and Casino. It’s now gone further downhill, and trades as the Playhouse Gentlemen’s Club.

Mahoosive cruise ship in the dock.

The lovely frontage of the old Wilts & Dorset Bank, Est 1835. It was taken over by Lloyds Bank in 1914.

Rail crossing.

Up the Saints!

Street artwork.

Hoglands park.

Busker delivering the full pan pipe experience with associated tacky goods.

Mosaic in park footpath.

A box full of fire extinguishers.

The architecturally challenging 1960s concrete tower blocks on Blechynden Terrace, right by the main railway station.

This store goes to 11.

Delight in this none-more-concrete vista.

Southampton has a particularly ugly station.

Chat about Southampton on the forum.

Archive photos from 2007:

» Southampton snapshots, Photos from the city centre

» Southampton Bargate, Southampton’s landmark gate

» To the docks, Town Quay and the harbour

» Southampton streets, Tudor Merchant’s Hall and House.

» Bargate panorama, 360º view on Above Bar Street.

» Southampton 2 Cardiff City 2, Championship footie, March 2007

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