Southampton is a village steeped in rich history blended with contemporary affluence. Unspoiled area beaches framed by sparkling Atlantic waters are a draw, as well as a charming Main Street lined with upscale shops and fine restaurants, polo matches, and antiques shows. A drive through the "estate section" of Southampton, renowned for some of the grandest homes in the area, takes you past graceful mansions surrounded by 20-foot privet hedges. Gin Lane, in particular, is worth a peek.
The scenic village was settled in the 17th century by Puritans, who had set sail from Lynn, Massachusetts, and landed at what is today known as Conscience Point. Formally incorporated in 1894, it was named after the widely respected 3rd Earl of Southampton, Henry Wriothesly, who was sympathetic to the early British, and today has several buildings that are included on the National Register of Historic Places. The village is part of the much larger town of Southampton, which spans from parts of Eastport to the west all the way east to Sagaponack, with its potato farms and seaside estates.
