The Best Travel Guide to Southampton

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Southampton

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Overview

Southampton The guide was updated: 2022-06-03

Southampton is the cruise capital of Northern Europe. With a cosmopolitan atmosphere borne from centuries of international trade, Southampton is one of the UK’s leading ports and liveliest cities, combining medieval walls and buildings, modern shopping and entertainment complexes, marinas, culture and nightlife. Explore the city’s rich culture and long history and try the wide range of leisure activities in the surrounding countryside before relaxing to recount the day in one of Southampton’s many harbour-side restaurants, cafés and bars.

Facts

Population:	239,700
Currency:	British pounds, £1 = 100 pence
Search Accommodation:	Hotels »
Emergency numbers:	999
Newspapers:	Daily Star Daily Mail The Independent The Times The Guardian Southern Daily Echo
Opening hours:	Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 11am-5pm
Tourist information:	Tourist Information points around the city: SeaCity Museum Havelock Road, Southampton Daily 10am-5pm Oceans 160 High Street, QE2 Mile, Southampton Mon-Sat 9am -6pm, Sun 10am-4pm +44 2380 331395 Southampton Central Library Civic Centre, Southampton

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Section in Southampton

Whether you want to visit one of the best UK art galleries outside London or fancy catching a blockbusting musical, Southampton is place to come to. The city is home to some of the region’s best concert halls and venues, boasting three outstanding art galleries and two magnificent theatres.

Southampton’s Old Town

Southampton’s Old Town

The Old Town is a vibrant quarter based on its own historic identity. It has a mix of building design dating to the 12th century, Victorian architecture, and contemporary design. The Old Town is clearly bordered on three sides by one of the longest surviving stretches of medieval town walls in the country.

Titanic Trail

Titanic Trail

Southampton will always be associated with the ill-fated liner, RMS Titanic, which set sail from shore in 1912. You can take a guided tour with Tourist Guides Association and explore various memorials and other related points of interest of this tragic story. A self-guided booklet may be purchased at the Tourist Information Centre.

SeaCity Museum

SeaCity Museum

SeaCity Museum is located at the heart of Southampton, and tells the story of the city's past and its connection to the sea. Here you will hear stories of the Titanic, and experience the sights and sounds of Southampton in 1912.

Solent Sky Aviation Museum

Solent Sky Aviation Museum

The Southampton Hall of Aviation (Solent Sky) depicts the history of aviation in the Solent area with a collection of authentic aircrafts dating back primarily to the 20th century. It houses a Spitfire and a Sandringham Flying Boat, among others. Many exhibits were produced locally.

Southampton City Art Gallery

Southampton City Art Gallery

The magnificent City Art Gallery has over 5000 works of art covering six centuries of European culture from the Italian Renaissance to French Impressionism. Its core collection of 20th century British art is internationally renowned. Entry is free of charge.

Mayflower Theatre

Mayflower Theatre

At the heart of Southampton’s performing arts tradition is the majestic Mayflower Theatre, the largest theatre in Southern England. This opened in 1928, and has undergone extensive refurbishment. You can see musicals, ballet, operatic productions as well as comedy acts and evenings with celebrities.

Tudor House & Garden

Tudor House & Garden

The Tudor House & Garden is located in the Old Town and is Southampton’s oldest museum, built at the end of the 15th century. This important historic building has undergone a major £5.4m refurbishment and transformed into an exceptional visitor experience.

Day Trip To The Isle Of Wight

Day Trip To The Isle Of Wight

Take a short boat journey from Southampton’s Town Quay to this popular holiday island. Once there, you can enjoy plenty of attractions and fun activities. The beautiful landscape has a mix of forests, wide sandy beaches and chalk cliffs - ideal location for a day trip.

Bike The Tracks Of New Forest

Bike The Tracks Of New Forest

A 12 minute river crossing from Southampton brings you to the picturesque harbour town of Hythe from where your choice of bike can be collected. You are then free to explore the New Forest with its beautiful scenery, historic castles and famous sea views. Hythe Ferry +44 23 8084 0722 Prospect Place, Hythe, Southampton Cyclexperience +44 23 8084 0765 Suite 4a South Street Centre, 16 South Street, Hythe, Southampton cyclexhytheltd@gmail.com

Southampton’s Parks

Southampton’s Parks

Southampton is probably the greenest city in Southern England. Close to the Old Town are seven Grade II listed formal parks, which have been fully restored to their former Victorian glory and have their traditional bandstand, rose gardens, elaborate fountains and imposing sculptures which evoke the city’s history and civic pride. There are plenty of activities to do here such as mini-golf course, basketball court, a skate park and cricket pitches. There are also guided walks and regular music sessions in the bandstand.

Medieval Merchant's House

Medieval Merchant's House

Built in 1290, as the home of a Southampton man who made his fortune trading with Bordeaux, and is one of the earliest surviving merchant’s houses in England. It has been restored to its mid-14th century appearance and replica furnishings provide an insight into medieval life.

Guided Walks

Guided Walks

Sightseeing walks and tours in and around Southampton is a great way to explore the city. Many guided walks on a variety of themes are arranged by See Southampton and Southampton Tourist Guides Association. They provide both public and private walking tours. Consult the web sites for more info.

Southampton Common Park

Southampton Common Park

The huge 326 acre Common park, just a short walk from the city centre, is a haven for flora and fauna and has been designated as UNESCO site of special scientific interest. The Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre gives visitors the opportunity to learn about the local ecology and wildlife.

Sport Activities

Sport Activities

Southampton offers a wide range of sports facilities including golf (The Municipal Golf Course), Tennis (David Lloyd Tennis Club), sailing, canoeing/kayaking, swimming and diving, and general leisure centre activities. Southampton Golf Club Golf Course Road Bassett Southampton www.southamptongolfclub.co.uk David Lloyd Leisure Off Brownhill Way Frogmore Lane Southampton Hampshire www.davidlloyd.co.uk Woodmill Outdoor Activities Centre www.activenation.org.uk/outdoor_venue/woodmill +44 300 0200 135

St Mary's Stadium

St Mary's Stadium

If you like football then you should head over to St Mary's Stadium which is the home of Southampton F.C. The stadium has undergone some constructions between December 1999 and July 2001 at a total cost of £32 million. Besides watching football you can take a stadium tour where you get the chance to see the players' dressing rooms, warm-up room, tunnel entrance and the tactics board where the players gather round for pep talk. The tour lasts for one and a half hours.

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