The Undercroft

The Undercroft is an early 14th century ground floor room, or undercroft, of a medieval house believed to have been constructed by a stone mason from Beaulieu Abbey. It is built of stone rubble and features an arched doorcase leading down eight steps. There are three windows: one is a single light window with a shouldered head, while the other two are 2-light windows, also with shouldered heads. Originally, the undercroft served as a shop, with living accommodation above. The space is notable for its two intersecting quadripartite rib vaults, which include two fine bosses, one likely depicting the Head of Christ and the other a female head. There is a stone hooded fireplace adorned with ball flower ornamentation and a 15th century brick floor. Above the undercroft, there are a pair of brick council houses built in 1902, which are the first in Southampton but do not hold special architectural interest. This undercroft is recognized as the most elaborate of the surviving stone vaulted undercrofts in Southampton and is scheduled as an ancient monument.