Originally dating from c.1180AD and constructed of stone and flint, the Bargate was formerly part of the medieval city walls and was the northern gateway into the city. Expansion of the city northwards found the Bargate sitting astride the High Street, dividing it into 'Above Bar' and 'Below Bar'.

Until the 1930's the buildings of the High Street abutted directly onto the Bargate's walls necessitating all traffic to travel through the Bargate itself. The corporation tram company operated vehicles specially designed to navigate the narrow passageway. Upstairs passengers were directed to mind their heads when passing through! It was not until the 1920's that a roofed tram was designed that would fit through the arch. The growing importance of motor vehicles meant that the Bargate was becoming a serious impedance to traffic so during the 1930's, after initially contemplating demolition, the abutting buildings were demolished instead and the Bargate bypassed.

During the 19th Century the upstairs room of the Bargate acted as the town's Guildhall, and the town police and fire stations were situated nearby in Bargate Street. The Bargate acted as a police station during the second world war which it survived mostly unscathed despite heavy damage and destruction all around it, and more recently has seen service as an art gallery and a museum.

The shields on the northern face depict the coats-of-arms of Southampton's most important families. On the southern side there is a small statue of George III in Roman dress.

The Bargate can be seen, along with the rest of Southampton's medieval defences on this Google map.

Number Title Added
  The Bargate The Bargate 24 November 2013
  The Bargate The Bargate 8 December 2017
  The Bargate, Southampton The Bargate, Southampton 28 June 2011
  The High Street The High Street 24 November 2013
  The High Street The High Street 30 January 2018
1002  -  Above Bar, Southampton 1002 Above Bar, Southampton 12 June 2011
1057  -  The High Street, Southampton 1057 The High Street, Southampton 23 April 2011
1930  -  The Bargate, Southampton 1930 The Bargate, Southampton 15 October 2019
1959  -  The Bargate, Southampton 1959 The Bargate, Southampton 26 July 2017
1959  -  The Bargate, Southampton 1959 The Bargate, Southampton 26 October 2019
1959  -  The Bargate, Southampton 1959 The Bargate, Southampton 26 October 2019
2031  -  The High Street, Southampton 2031 The High Street, Southampton 3 January 2015
2036  -  The Bargate, Southampton 2036 The Bargate, Southampton 30 September 2013
2041  -  The Ancient Bargate of Southampton 2041 The Ancient Bargate of Southampton 11 July 2014
2105  -  High Street, Southampton 2105 High Street, Southampton 24 January 2018
2164  -  The High Street, Southampton 2164 The High Street, Southampton 20 October 2019
2165  -  The High Street, Southampton 2165 The High Street, Southampton 9 September 2019
601  -  The Bargate, Southampton 601 The Bargate, Southampton 9 June 2011
603  -  High Street, Southampton 603 High Street, Southampton 3 January 2015
604  -  Southampton High Street 604 Southampton High Street 1 January 2022
647  -  The Bargate, Southampton 647 The Bargate, Southampton 23 April 2011
648  -  The High Street, Southampton 648 The High Street, Southampton 23 April 2011
652  -  The Bargate, Southampton 652 The Bargate, Southampton 28 July 2017
652  -  The Bargate, Southampton 652 The Bargate, Southampton 28 July 2017
653  -  The Bargate, Southampton 653 The Bargate, Southampton 20 January 2012
653  -  The Bargate, Southampton 653 The Bargate, Southampton 20 January 2012
656  -  The Bargate, Southampton 656 The Bargate, Southampton 31 July 2017
656  -  The Bargate, Southampton 656 The Bargate, Southampton 26 October 2019
657  -  The Bargate, Southampton 657 The Bargate, Southampton 28 April 2011
658  -  The Bargate, Southampton 658 The Bargate, Southampton 20 June 2014
659  -  High Street, Southampton 659 High Street, Southampton 9 March 2013
660  -  High Street, Southampton 660 High Street, Southampton 29 May 2011
660  -  High Street, Southampton 660 High Street, Southampton 17 June 2017
7163  -  Southampton, High Street 7163 Southampton, High Street 7 March 2013
7164  -  Southampton, The Bargate 7164 Southampton, The Bargate 29 May 2011
886  -  The Bargate, Southampton 886 The Bargate, Southampton 27 April 2011
886  -  The Bargate, Southampton 886 The Bargate, Southampton 25 September 2011