Southampton

Discover, explore and enjoy Southampton! 

The historic city of Southampton is much more than just a cruise stop or shopping destination. This buzzing port city with a blend of maritime heritage, modern attractions, and a vibrant cultural scene is bursting with experiences for visitors to explore.  

Attractions in Southampton

Step back in time and take a guided walk of the city's medieval town walls with See Southampton Tour Guides or the Southampton Tourist Guides to really appreciate the city, and head to the refurbished timber-framed Tudor House and Gardens in the Old Town, with over 800 years of history. 

Uncover the true stories of Titanic passengers at the Sea City Museum which houses a permanent exhibition of Southampton's Titanic story, as the famous ship left Southampton Docks for the start of its ill-fated voyage. 

And a short drive away, Solent Sky depicts the history of aviation in the Solent area and tells the story of the legendary Spitfire designed in Southampton. 

Southampton's cultural offerings include the magnificent award-winning City Art Gallery, God’s House Tower and Southampton Guildhall, as well as a superb choice of fine theatres, galleries and events.  

Experience the golden age of steam onboard the SS Shieldhall, the largest working steam ship in Britain. Book a cruise, visit the ship or hire her for a private event or venue.  

Step back in time at The Brickworks Museum, in Bursledon, the only remaining steam driven brickworks in the country.  

If you need some retail therapy, head to WestQuay, home to almost a hundred shops. Close by are three further excellent shopping centres as well as the traditional specialist shops making Southampton one of the top shopping destination in the South of England. 

Southampton's exciting nightlife is renowned in the region with its historic pubs, funky bars and music venues. 

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Walks in Southampton

Titanic enthusiasts can visit some of the city's major Titanic-related sights, which include war memorials, the former White Star headquarters and the Grapes pub. Take a look at Southampton's Titantic Trail.  

Get a flavour of the city’s impressive history and walk around the original medieval Old Town walls. Stretching along the Esplanade towards Town Quay, you can walk alongside and even atop some of these fantastic pieces of Southampton’s history. Enter the Bargate and work your way through each stop. You’ll discover plenty of fun facts and notable historic locations along the way. Download the route map.  

The novelist Jane Austen had close associations with Southampton, and a heritage trail launched in 2017, has been updated as part of the Jane Austen 250 celebrations.  

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Parks and Gardens in Southampton

Southampton has plenty of green spaces for those who like to sit and relax in a park or enjoy a stroll in the sunshine. Southampton Common is a Site of Specific Scientific Interest, located just outside the city centre to the north. Stretching 326 acres, this lovely expanse of green space is home to grasslands, wetlands, nature trails, parkland, a cemetery, a fishing lake and a play area. There is also a pub called the Cowherds and Hawthorns Wildlife Centre on the Common.  

If you are a Parkrun tourist, each Saturday morning at 9am Southampton Common hosts one of the South’s busiest Parkrun events. 

The city centre is also home to award-winning central parks which are popular with local sportsmen and picnickers. Hoglands Park, Palmerston Park, Houndwell Park, Andrews Park and Watts Park offer a great escape from the bustling city. 

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Places to Eat and Drink in Southampton

The bustling port of Southampton offers an international flavour to a culinary trail around Hampshire 

Here you’ll find food from around the globe, with specialist shops as well as restaurants offering Thai, Indian, Greek, Spanish, Italian, American, Chinese, Mexican, Middle Eastern and Afro-Latino menus. 

Take it easy and linger in one of the city's cool cafés and restaurants with menus from all over the world or enjoy the waterfront setting at Ocean Village with its popular restaurants, bars and cinemas. 

Oxford Street and Bedford Place are among the liveliest areas and offer a wide choice of restaurants as well as popular bars and nightclubs. Away from the city centre you’ll find more restaurants in Southampton’s suburbs. 

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Events in Southampton

Southampton's year-round programme of exciting events and activities will leave you spoilt for choice.  With colourful festivals, live music, west end shows and high-profile art exhibitions, the city buzzes with activity.  

Don’t miss the Southampton Mela in July, which is a celebration of the city’s diverse cultures and communities. From Bollywood and Bhangra music to Polish dancing and Flamenco there’s plenty to enjoy, including a range of international foods. 

Each year in September Southampton hosts the world-famous Southampton International Boat Show home to Britain’s largest festival of boats.  

There’s also an annual Southampton Beer Festival, at the Guildhall, celebrating real ales. 

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Hotels and Accommodation in Southampton

The city of Southampton has a whole host of hotels, that cater for all tastes, budget and party sizes. Whether you’re looking for an overnight stay before or after a cruise, a weekend break to explore the city’s rich history or a night’s stay for a shopping trip, you’ll find the perfect Hotel. Heading off on a cruise from Southampton? Many of Southampton’s hotels offer pre and post-cruise accommodation deals and often include parking and transfers to the cruise terminals. 

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Read our top 10 things to do in Southampton blog post