Advertisement
U.S. markets closed
  • S&P 500

    5,254.35
    +5.86 (+0.11%)
     
  • Dow 30

    39,807.37
    +47.29 (+0.12%)
     
  • Nasdaq

    16,379.46
    -20.06 (-0.12%)
     
  • Russell 2000

    2,124.55
    +10.20 (+0.48%)
     
  • Crude Oil

    83.11
    -0.06 (-0.07%)
     
  • Gold

    2,254.80
    +16.40 (+0.73%)
     
  • Silver

    25.10
    +0.18 (+0.74%)
     
  • EUR/USD

    1.0775
    -0.0019 (-0.17%)
     
  • 10-Yr Bond

    4.2060
    +0.0100 (+0.24%)
     
  • GBP/USD

    1.2623
    +0.0000 (+0.00%)
     
  • USD/JPY

    151.3330
    -0.0390 (-0.03%)
     
  • Bitcoin USD

    69,970.65
    -569.48 (-0.81%)
     
  • CMC Crypto 200

    885.54
    0.00 (0.00%)
     
  • FTSE 100

    7,952.62
    +20.64 (+0.26%)
     
  • Nikkei 225

    40,369.44
    +201.37 (+0.50%)
     

The spirited city that's a gateway to historic wonders – an expert guide to Southampton

Admire the yachts of Southampton - iStock
Admire the yachts of Southampton - iStock

Why go?

Southampton is by far and away the busiest cruise port in the UK, handling over two million passengers a year. It's primarily a departure (and arrivals) point for no-fly cruises, though it also serves as a port of call on some British Isles and northern Europe itineraries.

The spirited Hampshire city of around 250,000 people is mostly modern – it was heavily damaged in World War Two air raids. But it does have pockets of historic interest, along with an important maritime heritage. More conventionally enticing cities, such as Winchester and Salisbury are in easy reach on day trips.

Cruise port location

Four cruise terminals are ranged alongside a deep-water estuary. They are far apart from each other, so if embarking be clear which you're heading for. The Ocean and QEII terminals lie in the Eastern Docks, just east of where ferries leave for the Isle of Wight. The City and Mayflower terminals are in the Western Docks. Note that during 2019 the Ocean Terminal is being upgraded and not in use.

Can I walk to any places of interest?

From the City and Ocean terminals it's around 10 minutes' walk to the southern edge of Southampton's old town, and 15-20 minutes to Westquay Shopping Centre. The QEII and Mayflower terminals are less central – 1.2/1.5 miles respectively to the old town's southern fringe – so you're better off taking a shuttle bus if one is available (arrangements vary by cruise line) or hopping in a taxi.

Getting around

Once in the city everywhere you might want to visit is in manageable walking distance. For buses, see My Journey.

Winchester cathedral - Credit: Getty
It's easy to take in the history of Winchester cathedral via Southampton cruise port Credit: Getty

For excursions beyond the city, if you want to be independent you could take one of the frequent trains from Southampton Central station to Winchester (from 15 minutes), Salisbury (from 30 minutes) or London (from 75 minutes).

Getting there

The city and port are a short drive from the M27. There are long-stay car parks close to each of the four cruise terminals: book ahead on AB Parking or through your agent or tour operator. From Southampton Central train station, it's 1.5 to 2.5 miles to the cruise terminals – best take a taxi.

Hotels

There are some characterful hotels close to the port. Consider: The Pig in the Wall, in a Georgian house set in the city's medieval walls; The White Star Tavern on vibrant Oxford Street; and the swanky, nautical-styled, waterfront Southampton Hotel & Spa. The main budget and mid-priced chains also have properties near the port.

Yacht marina, Southampton - Credit: Getty
The Town Quay Credit: Getty

What can I do in four hours or less?

Head for Mayflower Park's waterfront, to enjoy close-up views of passing cruise liners and giant container ships making their way to and from the Western Docks.

Then explore the old town. While much of it has been redeveloped since World War Two, substantial sections of the medieval walls that encircled the district still remain. Print off a walking route of the walls from Discover Southampton. Bargate is the most impressive of the town's medieval gates, and the best section of walls runs anti-clockwise from it down to Westgate.

In 1620, The Mayflower sailed from the quay outside Westgate, commemorated by the towering Mayflower Memorial just round the corner on Town Quay. It's well worth spending an hour at the nearby Tudor House & Garden, a splendid timber-framed building much rebuilt in Victorian times, with engaging displays on the property's history and a pretty, recreated Tudor knot garden overseen by a pleasant café.

Rhinefield, The New Forest, Hampshire - Credit: Getty
A visit to The New Forest is a must for many heading to Southampton Credit: Getty

What can I do in eight hours or less?

With more time in Southampton, visit the SeaCity Museum. It includes an absorbing, large-scale, permanent exhibition on The Titanic. The ship sailed from Southampton on its ill-fated voyage in 1912, and many of the crew who perished lived in the city. Several Titanic memorials are dotted around the city.

But with a whole day at your disposal, consider heading out of Southampton, as a number of first-rate historic destinations are in easy reach. Among those offered on organised cruise-ship excursions are Winchester, ancient capital of Wessex and with the longest medieval cathedral in Europe, and Salisbury, whose magnificent cathedral has Europe's tallest medieval spire and a copy of the Magna Carta, and is surrounded by in the largest close in Britain. Excursions to Salisbury are often combined with nearby Stonehenge. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, with Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory and Henry VIII's recovered warship The Mary Rose, is another option not far from Southampton (about 40 minutes by coach).

Cruise ship tours also take passengers up to Windsor and to London for the day, but you'll spend a good deal more time in the coach on these trips.

Stonehenge - Credit: Getty
With eight hours to spare, you could visit Southampton Credit: Getty

What can I do with a bit longer?

Explore the nearby New Forest National Park or hop over on the ferry from Southampton to the Isle of Wight.

Eat and drink

The Pig in the Wall (see Hotels above) offers 'deli-dining': Hampshire meats and cheeses, and great salads, served in rustic-chic, lounge-style surroundings. For award-winning beer and superior bar food, make a beeline to the Dancing Man Brewery, a microbrewery pub in the Wool House, a magnificent stone and timber building dating from the 1300s on Town Quay. Ennio's, also on Town Quay, serves good, authentic Italian cuisine, and lunches are keenly priced. Book ahead at all the above. Oxford Street has a concentration of other places to eat and drink.

Don’t leave Southampton without…

Taking in Westquay Shopping Centre, a sprawling, multi-level indoor mall in the city centre. Head for its Saints Store for a shirt or scarf of Southampton's Premier League football team. Elsewhere you can pick up Titanic posters, T-shirts and tea towels.

Need to know

Safety

Like most British cities, Southampton is pretty safe, especially during the daytime.

Best time to go

See if your trip coincides with a county or international cricket match at the Ageas Bowl or The Saints in action at St Mary's.

Closures

The Tudor House & Gardens is closed on Fridays. A combined ticket is available for the Tudor House & Garden and SeaCity Museum.

Walking tours

You'll appreciate more about Southampton's history on a guided walking tour – for example of the old town's walls; see South Hampton Tourist Guides Association and See South Hampton.

Advertisement