From its humble beginnings as a quiet rural retreat to its transformation into a bustling suburb, Lordshill has undergone a remarkable journey.

As recently reported in the Daily Echo, a former housing office which has stood derelict for twelve years as a stark reminder of the past is now due to be razed to the ground.

It's a good opportunity to look back at how the area became what it is today.

In a quiet corner of Southampton, Lordshill was formerly was a tiny hamlet.

Once found amid rolling fields, it was a place where time seemed to move at its own leisurely pace.

A single, winding road, a dead-end that dropped down from Old Rownham's Lane to Tanner's Brook, was the only artery connecting Lordshill to the outside world.

The hamlet was so small, in fact, that it boasted only a handful of houses.

Yet, despite its diminutive size, Lordshill had a charm all its own.

Water, fresh and pure, gushed from springs scattered throughout the area, creating a gentle symphony of trickling and bubbling.

The local washerwomen, with their soapy suds and hearty laughter, added a touch of life to the peaceful scene. Their cottages, once found along the steep road, seemed to wink at one another as the foamy torrents flowed past.

But this idyllic tranquillity was soon to be shattered.

As Southampton expanded, reaching out towards Millbrook, Redbridge, and Harefield, the demand for housing grew at an alarming rate.

In 1964, the 563 acres of Lordshill were deemed the perfect solution. The bulldozers roared into action, and the sleepy hamlet was transformed into a bustling construction site.

By 1967, Lordshill had officially become part of Southampton, its boundaries expanding to accommodate the influx of new residents. The fields that had once been so serene were now dotted with rows of houses, each one a testament to the rapid pace of development.

By 1982, more than 4,000 homes had sprung up, and over 12,500 people called Lordshill home.

To meet the needs of its growing population, Lordshill was equipped with a range of amenities.

A large supermarket, a variety of shops, a cosy pub, a library, and a church serving four denominations were established.

To cater to the younger generation, several primary schools and a community school, Oaklands, were built.

Lordshill had blossomed from a quiet hamlet into a thriving community, preserving its unique charm while embracing the modern world.