Steeped in history, Southampton’s rich multi cultural heritage offers a feast of sights, sounds and tastes for a city break any time of the year. With a long tradition of welcoming people and linking the south coast to the world, Southampton has a distinctive story to share. This is one of the most inclusive destinations on the coast and makes for a fascinating visit. Check out the events calendar before your trip, it’s loaded with vibrant festivals from Chinese New Year, Oktoberfest, Diwali and the Mela Festival to the Southampton Thai Festival and the two-day Music in the City multi-venue festival, while Black History Month simply gets better and better each year.
Morning
Discover some of the city’s impressive history starting at the Bargate, the original Norman gateway in the old town. These Medieval Town Walls encompass historic buildings and feature storyboards bringing history to life. As you walk, you’ll encounter the city’s oldest museum, the 800 year-old Tudor House and Garden. This accessible museum offers an excellent audio guide, you can also see the remains of King John’s Palace from the Tudor House Garden which dates back a further 300 years!
En route you’ll also discover God’s House Tower; if you’re here in Black History Month, you can join a guided Hidden Histories walk telling the history of privateers to plantation owners. It shines a light on lesser-known stories of Southampton’s Black history, which started in the early 15th century. God’s House Tower is an arts venue open year-round on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday, featuring work from artists around the world. Don’t miss the Tower for spectacular views over the waterfront.
Lunch
Stop for lunch either in the God’s House Tower café or at any one of the international restaurants on your way to the Cultural Quarter. Along Above Bar Street, pick from Thai, Greek, Caribbean and many other cuisines or at Westquay South choose from Italian, Thai, Greek and a variety of chain restaurants; dine outside to enjoy a view of the historic Town Walls.
Afternoon
Spend time at Southampton’s ‘must see’ attraction, the SeaCity Museum. The main exhibition here is impressively interactive, telling the unforgettable story of the ‘unsinkable’ Titanic which set off from Southampton. The story is told through the eyes of people genuinely connected to the ship which really brings to life the events as they unfolded at the time and the impact the disaster had on the city of Southampton.
Also at the SeaCity Museum, The Gateway to the World gallery focuses on the thousands of people who travelled through Southampton as they started a new life in Britain or left to emigrate elsewhere. While the city wasn’t a hub for the transatlantic slave trade like some other UK ports, many of its residents prospered from the exploitation of enslaved people, particularly in the Caribbean. The Southampton Stories Exhibition tells the stories of people, events and activities connected to the town, including its links with the transatlantic slave trade, including Ellen and William Craft, formerly enslaved African-American abolition campaigners who visited Southampton in the mid-1800s.
Evening
The Mayflower Theatre is often the first run for West End productions, enjoy new plays, concerts and comedy. For classical, jazz and folk head to the Turner Sims Concert Hall, while the O2 Guildhall offers a packed live programme of concerts, comedy and music. Other independent live music venues include The Loft, The Joiners and The 1865.
For dining, Westquay houses more than 40 cafes and restaurants, including Thai street food, YO! Sushi Japanese or Cosmo with 150 international options. Visit Oxford Street’s independent restaurants, pubs and cocktail bars for a vibrant night scene. For authentic international cuisine, look no further than Bedford Place, just north of the city centre; try Japanese food at Nara or Portuguese Rotisserie at Diegos.
Or get a taste of life on the waterfront with a visit to Ocean Village. There are restaurants and bars here to suit all tastes many offering al fresco dining or a meal with a view! Try delicious seafood, locally sourced at award-winning The Jetty, or family dining at Banana Wharf on the edge of the marina.
Spend a bit more time exploring the city
Head to The City Art Gallery in the Cultural Quarter, which houses an internationally renowned collection and where you can find works by Lowry, Turner, Monet and Gainsborough, plus arguably the most distinctive collection, the rare Pre-Raphaelite Perseus Series.
Shop ‘til you drop in the city centre. Start at Westquay, which has more than 100 stores, including big brand names such as Oliver Bonas, Mango, Lush, Pandora, Apple, John Lewis and IKEA just outside the centre. The centre links directly with the main high street at Above Bar, which offers plenty of further shopping and eating outlets. For independent and speciality shops, browse the High Street and East Street or head up to Bedford Place.
Aircraft fans should visit the Solent Sky Museum which houses 20 aircraft from the ‘Golden Age of Aviation’. The museum tells the story of the largest flying boat operation based in Southampton and features the iconic Spitfire also developed in the area.
Or explore the local area
Southampton is a great base for exploring the local area; the New Forest, Isle of Wight or Portsmouth are all a short drive or ferry trip away.
To visit the ancient woodlands of the New Forest, hop on the train to Brockenhurst and join an open-top bus trip (summer time only) round the New Forest. You’ll have grandstand views of the National Park and its famous free-roaming ponies and deer. Hop on and off at villages, attractions and forest walks en route or just sit back and enjoy the views.
