Things you didn't know about... Southampton

Southampton people are super-fit
In 2006, Southampton was named Britain's fittest city. The finding is based on how many people in Southampton are members of a gym compared to other locations, how much heart disease there is in the city, and how much alcohol and junk food people eat.

Monaco was founded on Southampton's money
Southampton was sacked in 1338 by the French, one of whom (a pirate, needless to say) used the spoils to found the principality of Monaco.

Southampton's double tide is not caused by the Isle of Wight
Southampton is almost unique in this phenomenon, which is one reason why the harbour is suitable for very large vessels. But, contrary to popular misconception, the double tide is not caused by the Isle of Wight. The Admiralty can tell you the real reason, but we warn you it's very technical.

Southampton-born Craig David, UK's youngest no. 1
Craig David is the youngest artiste to have a no. 1 single in the UK: he was 19, and the song was Fill Me In. Craig still supports Southampton FC and says of his hometown: "I wouldn't have wanted to grow up anywhere else."

King Canute ordered back the waves in Southampton
Except, of course, that his name was actually Cnut, and he did no such thing. In fact, it's thought that he was demonstrating to his courtiers precisely the opposite: that even a king cannot hold back the tide. By the way, did you know that the picture on the cover of Thom Yorke's album The Eraser shows Cnut? And there's a huge crane named after him in Southampton Docks? (Cnut, not Thom Yorke.)

Southampton has the oldest bowling green...
... in the world! They've been playing bowls on Southampton's very appropriately named Old Bowling Green since 1299.

Benny Hill really was a milkman
The comedian was born in Southampton and went to school here. Later he worked as a milkman in nearby Eastleigh—inspiration perhaps for his hit single, Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West). (By the way, did you know that Benny Hill's middle name was Hawthorn?)

Spitfires and Lancasters
Southampton has strong connections with two of the most famous planes of World War II. Both were designed by local residents (RJ Mitchell and Roy Chadwick respectively). The first flight by a Spitfire took place from what is now Southampton Airport in 1936.

An Argentinian President is buried on Southampton Common
Juan Manuel De Rosas ruled Argentina between 1829 and 1852 (with a break of just three years, during which the Brits nipped in and took the Falklands). He was overthrown and spent the rest of his life as an exile—in Southampton.