Day One
Morning
Get to grips with the city’s history by starting at The Bargate, the original Norman gateway to the town. From here you can walk along the Town Walls learning about the historic buildings and stories of the town. Make sure you allow at least 1.5 hours so you can visit the 800 year-old Tudor House and Garden Museum en route. Be sure to pick up the excellent audio guide bringing to life the people who lived here through the centuries. Just across the square from the Tudor House and Garden, St Michael’s Church is the oldest building in Southampton and well worth a visit. Nearby, the medieval Westgate Hall was a Fish Market and Wool Hall before being moved to its current location by the West Gate and can be viewed externally, now only used for weddings and conferences.
If you’re here on Friday, Saturday or Sunday drop in to the God’s House Tower an award-winning arts venue with changing exhibitions. The Tower also has a permanent “Stories behind the Stones” attraction which tells the history of the building and offers spectacular views across the waterfront. Stop for lunch at the Dancing Man Brewery which dates back to the 14th century, originally used for storing wool, this micro brewery is frequently voted Best Pub in Southampton.
Afternoon
Walk off lunch completing the Walls circuit, then head up to the Cultural Quarter. Spend the afternoon at the fabulous SeaCity Museum, its interactive features reveal the sombre story of The Titanic and the impact this epic story had on the entire city. In addition, there are exhibitions about Southampton’s global role as the Gateway to the World and an exploration of Southampton’s rich and diverse history.
Evening
Southampton is becoming increasingly known for its food scene and offers everything from fine-dining French cuisine to a host of familiar brands at Westquay. If you’re seeking independent eateries and pubs, check out the Oxford Street area which has a lively evening vibe.
Day Two
Morning
Head over to the City Art Gallery in the Cultural Quarter, which holds more than 5,000 works of art; its modern art collection is considered one of the best outside London. It reopened in Spring '26 after a multi-million-pound refurbishment and features the likes of Monet, Renoir, Turner, Lowry and Gormley on permanent display. It boasts a rolling programme of exhibitions and also hosts works by Rodin, Gainsborough, Sisley and a rare surviving Perseus Series by English Pre-Raphaelite Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones. The City Art Gallery often hosts themed talks, workshops and classes for all ages, so be sure to check out the activity programme to take advantage of a unique experience during your visit.
Contemporary art enthusiasts should visit the John Hansard Gallery (open Tuesday to Saturday), which is part of the University of Southampton. Its exhibitions present works by celebrated artists from across the world.
Afternoon
Art-lovers will also enjoy Southampton’s Art Trail, a series of public artworks spread across the town. The trail showcases the range of artworks, memorials and other public art, taking in some of the city’s gardens and parks.
For something a little different, the Mayflower Theatre offers behind-the-scenes tours on selected dates and gives a unique insight into the theatre’s history and how it is used today.
For Aviation enthusiasts, the Solent Sky Museum is a must; there are 20 aircraft on display 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, another impressive invention of the area. Many of the enthusiastic staff are volunteers and are always willing to share their extensive knowledge with visitors.
