Southampton City Walls - geograph.org by Wikimedia Commons
Lying on the Southern border of England, Southampton experienced tensions with neighboring France. To ward off potential attacks, Southampton constructed a fortress wall that encompasses the entire town. The defense proved insufficient in 1338, when French forces broke past the town walls and invaded Southampton, burning several houses to the ground before being pushed back. Reinforcement efforts began shortly thereafter, building up the stone walls in height and thickness until a formidable wall was completed.
Despite some demolition work done on portions in later centuries, when threats of conflict subsided, most of the perimeter wall remains extremely well preserved and has become a favorite attraction of visitors to the area.