Swaythling - History

History

Recorded as Swæthelinge in 909 AD, the origins of the name Swaythling are uncertain. It is widely thought that the name originally referred to the stream that runs through the area, now known as Monks Brook; the Old English word swætheling is believed to mean "misty stream".

Swaythling originally formed part of the Parish of South Stoneham, which encompassed Eastleigh and almost all of the land between Swaythling and the Bargate, in Southampton City Centre. The parish church was St. Mary's; the present building is one of Southampton's two medieval churches. It is accessible from Wessex Lane, down a short track between Connaught Hall and South Stoneham House (both now halls of residence serving the University of Southampton).

South Stoneham House was built in 1708 for the Surveyor of the Navy, Edmund Dummer, and is attributed to Nicholas Hawksmoor. The grounds were laid out after 1772 by Capability Brown.

Woodmill is an ancient watermill site located in Swaythling at the highest tidal point of the River Itchen, where it is joined by the Itchen Navigation. The industrialist Walter Taylor moved there after 1770, but his mill burned down in 1820 to be replaced by the present structure which is now used as an activity centre.

With the construction of the "Flower Roads" council estate, St. Alban's church was erected in 1933, and the parish maps were redrawn. The parish of Swaythling came into being, with both St. Alban's and St. Mary's church buildings being used for worship. In 1931 Connaught Hall was built, to accompany South Stoneham House as a hall of residence for the University. The University acquired South Stoneham House in 1921 and subsequently added the tower block that now dominates the Wessex Lane area.

Much of the Swaythling landscape and its architecture was captured in the 1950s and 1960s by local artist Eric Meadus.