Since 1892, Southampton Docks have been owned by the railways. The docks were first owned by the London & South Western Railway (LSWR) from 1892 until the grouping in 1923. During this period the Eastern Docks (Old Docks) were created in 1911. After the grouping in 1923 the docks came under the ownership of the Southern Railway until nationalisation in 1948. During this period from 1927 to 1934 the Western Docks (New Docks) were completed. In 1933 the huge King George V dry dock was built to cater for the new giant Cunarders – Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. Since 1948 the docks have been owned by the British Transport Commission. Finally in 1983 when the ancillary services of the railways were privatised the docks then passed to their current owner, Associated British Ports (ABP). These mighty docks have always been constantly developing and improving to keep pace with technology and changing trends so that they can keep ahead of the game. During the heyday of the ocean liner Southampton was from the 1930s onwards proclaimed as “The Gateway to the World” and soon became Britain’s premier ocean passenger port. Since the decline of the ocean liner the port has found a new role as a premier container shipping port and today in the 21^st century as Britain’s premier cruise port catering for some of the largest cruise ships in the world.

During the Second World War, Southampton was heavily bombed and many of its facilities were destroyed or damaged. After the end of the war, the Southern Railway embarked on a massive programme of modernisation and reconstruction designed to provide the accommodation and facilities worthy of the national gateway the port was at that time. This work was continued on after nationalisation by the British Transport Commission.

In 1959 construction was started on a new Passenger Terminal to serve berths 105 and 106 in Southampton Western Docks in preparation for the entry into service of the S/S Canberra and S/S Oriana on the Australian service of P&O Line and Orient Line as well as catering for other ships of these two shipping lines. This new building was located in between the cargo sheds at berths 105 and 106 and replaced a smaller passenger hall dating from when Western Docks was built in the 1930s.

The building has a frontage of 196 ft and a depth of 102 ft. From this central reception area, passengers are able to proceed direct to the adjoining sheds for Customs clearance of their baggage prior to their departure. It was also fitted with a railway platform on the landward side to enable Boat Train services to be operated from London serving the ocean liner passengers.

The building was officially opened by Field Marshall the Rt. Hon. Viscount Slim on the 29^th November 1960.

The Reception Hall on the ground floor is equipped with all the modern facilities of that time for the use of passengers, including such amenities as a buffet, writing desks, bureau de change, rail booking office, news stand, telephones and toilets. When first built the walls were faced in Siamese Teak, P.V.C. and precast panels, while the buffet was faced in selected Rio rosewood veneers. The general lighting scheme consisted of 27 modular lighting units with Perspex diffusers together with recessed spot lights to mezzanine wood ceilings and concealed fluorescent units.

At the mezzanine level, office accommodation was provided for P&O Line and Orient Line and their Shipping Agent’s staff, as well as for HM Customs Landing and Water guard staffs.

Facing the quay at a higher level above the mezzanine offices was a covered balcony for visitors and friends meeting or seeing off passengers. The enclosure itself was heated and provided with seating and a refreshment service was available. Access was by way of the existing balconies of the adjoining sheds, these having been extended to link with the new structure.

A loud speaker system was also fitted, operated from the Control Room in the Reception Hall, enabling the playing of music or relaying of announcements and directions to passengers.

This passenger terminal is still in use today, and has enjoyed a refit and modernisation in 2003 including a refurbished lounge area, new reception and check in area, baggage hall, Customs and arrivals facilities and the installation of an overhead passenger gangway system. This refurbishment also included the removal of the railway platform, so the terminal can no longer be served by boat trains from London. Today this terminal serves as the Mayflower Cruise Terminal for P&O Cruises.