Catering to its big population of young, chic urbanites, Southampton is a great place to shop. The West Quay complex on West Quay Road offers shoppers a good selection of designer boutiques, high street retailers and traditional shops. The West Quay Retail Park over the road brings together a selection of retailers that are normally located on the outskirts of towns.

Other good shopping areas include the Marlands Mall, Portland Terrace and the Bargate Center, off the High Street on East Street. For more traditional shops and specialist stores, head to East Street, Bedford Place and Above Bar Street. Most museums sell a range of tourist souvenirs and gifts. Southamptonians love to shop and most of the bigger chain stores are open seven days a week. Some of the smaller, traditional shops close or have restricted opening hours on Sundays.

Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre

The centre is set in over half a hectare of grounds to the north of the city centre. The grounds are planted and managed as different wildlife habitats and it’s a great place to learn about the different eco-systems. This is good for family visits and the perfect place to get away from the city centre and get back to nature.

Southampton Common

St Mary’s Football Stadium

After a 27-year run in the top divisions of English football, Southampton was relegated from the Premiership in 2005. Despite the setback, football remains a big passion in the city and visitors can take a tour of the ground.

Museum of Archaeology

This interesting museum tells Southampton’s story through the ages with displays from prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and medieval times. There are other interesting exhibits including some from ancient Egypt. Situated on the south-east corner of the walls that had once encircled medieval Southampton, the building alone arguably justifies a visit with parts of it dating back to the 13th century.

God’s House Tower, Winkle Street

Medieval Merchants’ House

Owned and run by English Heritage, this is one of the earliest surviving merchants’ houses in England. All the furniture has been authentically recreated and visitors are able to get a glimpse of what life was like for a prosperous wine merchant, John Fortin, who lived in the house with his family over 700 years ago.

58 French Street

Maritime Museum

Opened in 1912, this was the city’s first public museum that’s situated in a 14th century warehouse that was originally built for the wool trade. The museum tells the stories of the city’s maritime past including exhibitions on the Mayflower, the Queen Mary and the Titanic. Those who want to know more about the ill-fated ship can follow the Titanic Trail with the aid of a free brochure available from the Tourist Information Centre.

The Wool House, Town Quay Road

Solent Sky

Southampton and the Solent played a pioneering role in aviation development and it was here that the world’s first seaplane was built. It was also the birthplace of the Spitfire fighter plane that has become so synonymous with the Second World War.

Albert Road South

Southampton City Art Gallery

The city’s impressive art gallery is in the heart of the Cultural Quarter and contains over 3,500 works of art spanning six centuries of European culture. Its main attraction is the exhibition of 20th century British Art which attracts visitors from all over the world.

(Note: Parts of the Gallery will be closed from June 20 - September 31, 2005 due to the installation of a new lighting system.)

Museum of Archaeology

This interesting museum tells Southampton’s story through the ages with displays from prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and medieval times. There are other interesting exhibits including some from ancient Egypt. Situated on the south-east corner of the walls that had once encircled medieval Southampton, the building alone arguably justifies a visit with parts of it dating back to the 13th century.

God’s House Tower, Winkle Street

Medieval Merchants’ House

Owned and run by English Heritage, this is one of the earliest surviving merchants’ houses in England. All the furniture has been authentically recreated and visitors are able to get a glimpse of what life was like for a prosperous wine merchant, John Fortin, who lived in the house with his family over 700 years ago.

58 French Street

Maritime Museum

Opened in 1912, this was the city’s first public museum that’s situated in a 14th century warehouse that was originally built for the wool trade. The museum tells the stories of the city’s maritime past including exhibitions on the Mayflower, the Queen Mary and the Titanic. Those who want to know more about the ill-fated ship can follow the Titanic Trail with the aid of a free brochure available from the Tourist Information Centre.

The Wool House, Town Quay Road

Solent Sky

Southampton and the Solent played a pioneering role in aviation development and it was here that the world’s first seaplane was built. It was also the birthplace of the Spitfire fighter plane that has become so synonymous with the Second World War.

Albert Road South

Southampton City Art Gallery

The city’s impressive art gallery is in the heart of the Cultural Quarter and contains over 3,500 works of art spanning six centuries of European culture. Its main attraction is the exhibition of 20th century British Art which attracts visitors from all over the world.

(Note: Parts of the Gallery will be closed from June 20 - September 31, 2005 due to the installation of a new lighting system.)

Public Transport

First Southampton operates a comprehensive network of buses linking all parts of the city. Bus no. 12 operates between the city centre and International Airport. Solent Blue Line and UniLink Southampton also offer comprehensive services throughout the city. Discounted fares, day travelcards and passes enabling travel of seven, 28 or 90 days are available for some services. For full details about fares, routes and discounts, contact the relevant bus company directly.

Taxis

Taxis can be hailed on the street or at ranks at the railway and bus stations. To pre-book a taxi try Abbeytax or Streamline Taxis.

Car Hire

There are numerous car rental firms operating in Southampton. Alamo Avis , Enterprise , Hertz and National all have offices either at the airport, in the city or both.

Bicycle Hire

Southampton is relatively small and, for the most part, flat, so a bike is a great way to get around and see the city sights. However, at the time of writing, there is nowhere in the city that rents out bicycles. G A Cycles, 65 Shirley Road sells a good selection and is just a short walk from Southampton Central railway station. Further afield, Cycle Experience, Brookley Road, Brockenhurst does rent out bikes and is close to the New Forest.

By Air

Southampton International Airport

The airport is located 7km (4 miles) northeast of Southampton on the outskirts of the city. An information desk is located inside the passenger terminal and can help with any specific queries.

Facilities include a bureau de change, ATMs, restaurants, lost property office, bars and shops. After passport control there is a range of tax- and duty-free shops. The airport is on a single level allowing good access for disabled travellers and there are induction loops at various locations throughout the airport. Facilities for business travellers include a conference centre with presentation equipment which is available for hire. There is also a British Airways executive lounge offering phone, fax and Internet facilities.

The airport is convenient for the M27 and M3 motorways and a rail service connects the city centre with a station at the airport (Southampton Airport Parkway) which is just 50 metres (54 yards) from the airport terminal building. Bus services also operate between the airport, the university campus and the city centre. Airportcarz Southampton is located in the main concourse opposite the arrivals hall and operate a 24-hour taxi service (advance booking may be necessary).

By Rail

Southampton is connected by a good rail network with a station in the city (Southampton Central) on Western Esplanade that connects with a station at the airport (Southampton Airport Parkway). During peak times there are approximately three direct services an hour from Southampton Central to London’s Waterloo station from where Eurostar services connect with Paris, Lille and Brussels in mainland Europe. Local rail services connect Southampton with Portsmouth and Brighton to the east, Basingstoke to the north, and Bournemouth to the west. Southampton also has rail connections with the West Country, South Wales and Scotland. For rail enquiries contact National Rail . Rail operators in the region include South West Trains , Virgin Trains and Wessex Trains.

By Road

Southampton is situated just 76 miles (122km) southwest of London and is connected with the capital by the M3 motorway. The M27 runs east towards Portsmouth and west towards Bournemouth.

National Express operates regular coach services connecting Southampton with various destinations in the UK including Victoria coach station in London. The National Express terminal is located in the centre of the city on Western Esplanade within easy walking distance of the Central Railway Station.

Culture vultures should definitely head to the Mayflower Theater on Commercial Road, the largest theater in southern England. It opened in 1928 and has been recently refurbished and puts on an impressive program of musicals, ballet, traditional pantomime, opera and comedy acts. Another good venue for live comedy is the Jongleurs Comedy Club, 2-4a High Street close to the center a of town.

They also serve decent food and there’s usually a disco after the comedy acts. There are two multiplex cinemas: UGC, Ocean Village, 4 Ocean Way and Odeon, Leisureworld, West Quay Retail Park. The Harbour Lights Picturehouse, Ocean Village is a great independent cinema showing the latest in art house cinema.

Sightseeing Overview

Southampton is a relatively compact city that’s flanked on two sides by the rivers Test and Itchen that run in a ‘V’ shape down and into Southampton Water on the southern coast. It’s very much a city that’s associated with the ocean and many of Southampton’s attractions have a nautical theme; the most obvious of these sights is the excellent Maritime Museum that charts the port’s distinguished history including a good exhibition about the Titanic.

Much of the old city walls (rebuilt after a devastating attack by the French in 1338) are still intact and the city’s Museum of Archaeology is a great place to begin a tour of historical Southampton. Southampton is also an artistic city with notable art galleries and theaters situated in its vibrant Cultural Quarter. For those who want to stay abreast of the latest fashions, an ever-growing number of shops have helped to earn Southampton a deserved reputation as something of a shopping mecca amongst young urbanites. Surrounded by public parks, there are plenty of green spaces where visitors can get away from hustle and bustle and enjoy a walk within easy reach of the city.

The city’s tourist office is centrally located at opposite the Civic Center. The helpful staff are able to offer advice on local attractions and events as well providing a selection of free and saleable maps and guides.

Destination Southampton is the conference and venue booking arm of the Tourist Information Center. They offer a free booking service and can help visitors with group bookings, hotel reservations and booking conference venues.

Passes There are currently no tourist passes in Southampton.

Key Attractions:

Museum of Archaeology

This interesting museum tells Southampton’s story through the ages with displays from prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and medieval times. There are other interesting exhibits including some from ancient Egypt. Situated on the south-east corner of the walls that had once encircled medieval Southampton, the building alone arguably justifies a visit with parts of it dating back to the 13th century.

Medieval Merchants’ House

Owned and run by English Heritage, this is one of the earliest surviving merchants’ houses in England. All the furniture has been authentically recreated and visitors are able to get a glimpse of what life was like for a prosperous wine merchant, John Fortin, who lived in the house with his family over 700 years ago.

Maritime Museum

Opened in 1912, this was the city’s first public museum that’s situated in a 14th century warehouse that was originally built for the wool trade. The museum tells the stories of the city’s maritime past including exhibitions on the Mayflower, the Queen Mary and the Titanic. Those who want to know more about the ill-fated ship can follow the Titanic Trail with the aid of a free brochure available from the Tourist Information Center.

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Within Southampton there are several districts and suburbs, including:

Bassett, Bassett Green, Bevois Valley, Bitterne, Bitterne Park, Bitterne Manor
Chartwell Green, Chilworth Coxford
Freemantle
Harefield, Highfield
Lordshill Lordswood
Mansbridge, Maybush, Midanbury, Millbrook
Northam, Nursling
Polygon, Portswood
Redbridge, Rownhams
Shirley, Sholing, St. Denys, St. Mary’s, Swaythling
Thornhill, Townhill Park
Weston, Woolston

As befits Southampton’s role as a major port, the city has good transport links with the rest of the country. The M27 motorway, linking places along the south coast of England, runs just to the north of the city. The M3 motorway links the city to London and also, by linking to the A34 road at Winchester with the Midlands and North. The M271 motorway links the M27 with the Western Docks and city centre.

Southampton is also well served by the rail network, used by both freight services to and from the docks, and passenger services as part of the national rail system. The main station in the city is Southampton Central. Routes run eastwards to Portsmouth and Brighton, north-east to Winchester and London, north to Reading, Birmingham and beyond, north-west to Salisbury and Bristol and west to Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth. Southampton Coach Station was refurbished recently, and the range and frequency of services offered by the National Express Group increased to make use of the new facilities.

Southampton Airport is a regional airport located in the town of Eastleigh, just north of Southampton. It is connected to the city by a frequent rail service, and hosts flights to UK and near European destinations.
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