QE2 Mile

The QE2 Mile 

The QE2 Mile is the pedestrian route that runs through the heart of the city from the Cenotaph down to the waterfront at Town Quay. It links the city’s parks, new cultural quarter, shopping high street, old town and our waterfront. It is the most visited part of the city and has many historical features, the Cenotaph, Titanic memorial, Holy Rood church that was bombed in the war, our famous Bargate stands at its centre. The QE2 mile is the economic heart of the city with more businesses along it’s route than anywhere else in Southampton. There is a map of the route here.

Marking the city’s history on the QE2 mile.

Eleven pairs of plaques have been laid from the Bargate down to the waterside, marking key events in the city’s history. The plaques represent everything from the early Roman settlement in the city, to the opening of the National Oceanography Centre.

QE2 Anchor

The huge anchor from the city’s beloved cruise-liner the Queen Elizabeth 2 has been re-homed on the footpath in front of Holy Rood Church.

It was donated by the Dubai Royal Family and Cunard to the city following the naming of the QE2 Mile. The anchor although donated in 2009 couldn’t be placed until work to improving the street scene with new paving, lighting, seating and planting was complete.

The anchor weighs 13 tonnes and sits over the top of main drains and other pipes so engineers had to pile drive concrete stakes into the ground to support it’s weight. The anchor was finally lifted into place at the beginning of July 2011, was repainted and landscaping and other work completed in time for its official unveiling with a commemorative plaque on 1 September 2011.

The plaque was unveiled Southampton’s Mayor Cllr Terry Matthews, Leader of the council Cllr Royston Smith and Cunard President and Managing Director Peter Shanks. 

Click here to view a video about the QE2 Mile