Imagine a Southampton far removed from the port city we know today. No towering cruise ships, no sprawling container terminals, no echoes of foghorns.

The year is 1750 and the town is recovering from the ravages of the Great Plague, its economy sluggish, its streets quiet. But change was afoot, a transformation sparked by an unlikely combination: a prince, a mineral spring, and the curious belief that Southampton's waters held the cure for everything from melancholy to the bite of a mad dog.

Southampton was a Georgian town once languishing in post-plague doldrums, before it unexpectedly blossomed into a fashionable seaside resort, attracting the elite of society with the promise of health, leisure, and a healthy dose of quirky cures.

Southampton's rise to prominence began with a royal visit.

Frederick, Prince of Wales, while enjoying a sojourn in the New Forest, decided to take a dip in the sea at Southampton's Western Shore.

Perhaps it was the bracing salt air, the invigorating chill of the water, or simply the novelty of a royal swim, but the Prince was smitten.

He declared the water "so salubrious and so invigorating" that he returned time and again, drawing the attention of the nobility and gentry who eagerly followed in his wake.

Where royalty led, fashion followed, and Southampton was suddenly thrust into the spotlight.

This newfound popularity coincided with a fortuitous discovery - a mineral spring bubbling up in the "rural area" north of Bargate Street.

Seizing the opportunity, the town authorities transformed the area into the Spa Gardens, a picturesque haven centred around the spring's fountain.

A Reading Room was built, offering a refined space for visitors to peruse literature and engage in intellectual discourse.

The gardens themselves, with their sweeping views of the river, provided a delightful backdrop for promenading and socialising.

Ellegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen, adorned in colourful silks and satins, their white wigs powdered to perfection, strolling through the gardens, sipping the healing waters from delicate porcelain cups. Laughter and gossip filled the air as they basked in the sunshine and enjoyed the invigorating sea breeze.

The spa waters, according to contemporary guidebooks, possessed remarkable curative properties.

They were touted as a panacea for a bewildering array of ailments, from gout and rheumatism to "hysterical affections" and even the dreaded "vapours."

But the most peculiar claim was the water's ability to counteract the effects of a mad dog's bite. In 1773 alone, more than 120 people were "dipped" in the sea as a preventative measure, along with a menagerie of pets, including cats, dogs, and even a prize pig!

While the efficacy of these treatments might raise a sceptical eyebrow today, there's no doubt that the belief in Southampton's healing waters drew visitors from far and wide, boosting the town's economy and transforming its image.

The allure of Southampton extended beyond its spa and seawater cures.

Bathing establishments sprang up along West Quay, offering a more structured and private experience for those seeking the health benefits of a dip in the ocean. But it wasn't all about health and wellness. Entertainment played a crucial role in Southampton's appeal.

A local entrepreneur John Martin capitalised on the influx of visitors by building the Assembly Rooms, or Long Rooms, on the shore between West Quay and Simnel Street.

These elegant rooms, fitted out "at vast expense and in a most elegant manner," boasted a spacious ballroom, card rooms, and other diversions.

Balls were held three times a week throughout the summer season, with a special dance every Saturday, providing ample opportunity for socialising, romance, and perhaps a bit of matchmaking.

The Dolphin Hotel, a grand coaching inn on the High Street, also became a hub of social activity.

Its elegant rooms and lively atmosphere attracted the wealthy and influential, further cementing Southampton's reputation as a fashionable destination.

The influx of visitors spurred a wave of development and renovation.

Existing houses were spruced up, and new ones were built in the elegant Georgian style, transforming the upper part of the High Street into a picture of refined architecture.

The town expanded beyond its medieval walls, with imposing new residences gracing Above Bar Street. Southampton was shedding its provincial skin and embracing a new era of prosperity and sophistication.

However, as with all trends, Southampton's reign as a fashionable resort eventually waned.

The Prince Regent, who had inherited his father's love for seaside escapes, shifted his attention to Brighton, and the fashionable set followed suit.

Southampton's popularity began to fade, but the town was already on the cusp of a new chapter in its history.

In 1838, the foundation stone of the docks was laid, marking Southampton's return to its maritime roots.

The town's focus shifted from leisure and pleasure to trade and industry, laying the groundwork for the bustling port city we know today.

The story of Georgian Southampton shows that history is full of surprises.

A chance royal visit, a mineral spring, and a belief in the curative powers of seawater combined to transform a struggling town into a thriving resort.

While the era of spa treatments and mad dog dips may be long gone, the legacy of Georgian Southampton lives on in the city's architecture, its vibrant culture, and its strong connections to the sea.