Bargate, Southampton, Hampshire Royalty-Free Stock Image

The Bar Gate through the ancient walls of the City of Southampton, Hampshire. Originally a wooden construction built in Saxon times the main arch dates from 1175 and the whole structure dates from the 15th century and the bell in the top left hand corner was installed in the 17th century. The bell would be wrung when the gates to the city were about to be closed for the night. Above the arches was the city's Guildhall and beneath the gates was a jail. The sundial in the middle of the gate dates from 1705 and is six minutes wrong. The statue in the middle is of King George III posed like the Roman Emperor Hadrian.