Southampton's Western Shore whispers of a bygone era.

Imagine, if you will, a time before the incessant hum of traffic, a time when the salty spray kissed the faces of residents sat on their balconies, overlooking the vast expanse of water. This was the reality for those who called the Marina home in the 19th century.

The Marina was a row of idyllic houses, each offering a prime viewing platform to the ever-changing drama of Southampton Water.

(Image: Echo)

But the tide of progress, like the tide itself, is relentless.

Today, a glimpse of the water from the bustling Western Esplanade is a struggle. Gone are the tranquil days of the Marina, replaced by the relentless march of industry.

The Pirelli cable factory and the old Southampton power station stood where waves once lapped, testaments to human ambition that forever altered the landscape. These eventually made way for Westquay shopping centre and Toys 'R' Us.

This wasn't always so. Once, a grand sweep of water stretched from near the Royal Pier, past the Central Railway Station, all the way to Millbrook.

(Image: Echo)

Western Shore was a playground for residents, a place for Sunday strolls, childhood explorations, and even a spot to bring a trusty steed for a dip in the shallows.

The 16 houses of the Marina, built in 1885, were privy to a scene both idyllic and vibrant. Here, residents witnessed the leisurely pace of life – families picnicking, children paddling, a gentle symphony of human interaction against the backdrop of the sea.

The 20th century, however, brought change. Western Shore remained popular, particularly the western end near Millbrook. One resident, with a touch of humor perhaps born of nostalgia, recalled the "horrible beach, full of seaweed and great stones," but it was theirs, their haven in a world with far more limited options than today.

A bathing establishment, complete with segregation and a tide-dependent "artificial bath" owned by the Woodcock family, catered to those seeking a more structured dip.

(Image: Echo)

Nearby, a ferry shuttled passengers between Millbrook and Marchwood, and another beach led to a whimsical area christened "the bunny" by local youngsters.

In April 1876 the Hampshire Advertiser reported: “The promenade from the Blechynden to the Millbrook stations, previous to the recent boisterous weather, was one of the pleasantest walks about Southampton, but now it is almost impossible for pedestrians with any degree of comfort to thread their way over the mixture of large stones and lumps of chalk with which it is now strewn.

“It is now three weeks since the storm which caused the mischief and nothing has yet been done to repair the path, which is much used by the residents of Freemantle and Millbrook.

“It is hoped that the railway company, who is responsible for its repair, will restore it before the summer season, when the sea shore is much frequented by visitors."

(Image: Echo)

The Marina itself succumbed to progress in the late 1960s, its houses demolished to make way for the Arundel Towers scheme, which itself has since been swept away. The story of the Marina is a microcosm of Southampton's Western Shore – a place of constant change, where the whispers of the past brush up against the realities of the present.

As we look out at the transformed landscape, a single question lingers: what will the future hold for this ever-evolving stretch of Southampton's coastline?