Top attractions for groups
SeaCity Museum
Discover Southampton’s Titanic story from 1912. Experience a 1:25 scale interactive model, hear powerful stories from survivors of the disaster and more. You can also find out about Southampton’s fascinating ancient and maritime past in the Gateway to the World and Southampton Stories exhibitions. The SeaCity Café has a wide range of fresh, locally sourced food available.
For the driver: free ticket and meal for coach drivers (T&Cs apply)
Southampton City Art Gallery
Southampton City Art Gallery holds one of the finest collections of art in the south of England, currently comprising over 5,000 works and spanning eight centuries. Regularly rotating displays feature works from the collection, national touring exhibitions and work by local artists.
Tudor House and Garden
Southampton’s most important historic building, Tudor House, reveals over 800 years of history in one fascinating location in the heart of the Old Town. Tudor House gives a unique and atmospheric insight into the lives and times of both its residents through the years and of Southampton itself. It appeals to visitors of all ages and interests, who find the family-friendly activities, interactive technology, fascinating displays and onsite café a winning combination.
For the driver: free ticket and meal for coach drivers (T&Cs apply)
For the above cultural venues, guided tours and self-guided tours can be pre-booked on 023 8083 4536. There’s also a range of creative workshops, talks and tours at each venue all year round. Check websites for more details and venue opening times.
God's House Tower
God's House Tower was recently refurbished into an award-winning arts and heritage venue at the entrance to Southampton’s historic Old Town. Discover God's House Tower HT’s dark history in our heritage exhibition ‘Stories Behind the Stones’, where each floor takes you on a journey through time, from the 14th Century sacking of Southampton to its 17th Century use as a dismal debtors' prisons, and taking in stunning views over the modern-day city.
Benefits for groups of up to 20 people:
• 10% cafe discount
• 10% discount on ticketed exhibitions
• free hot drink and snack for the driver and group organiser
• bespoke group catering options in our cosy cafe or galleries, serving everything from afternoon tea to a buffet lunch
Steamship Shieldhall
Groups are welcome aboard the SS Shieldhall, a seagoing heritage steam power vessel celebrating its 70th birthday in 2025! Regularly sailing the Solent in summer, Shieldhall delights passengers who wish to experience the magic of ‘steam at sea’ and offers a chance to explore the Engine Room and Boiler Room and meet the captain on the Bridge.
Shieldhall also offers a series of all-day packages in Southampton on its 2-hour, 3-hour and 3 1/2 hour sailings, incorporating a visit to one of Southampton’s Museums, a guided walk with a local guide and an afternoon cruise on Shieldhall.
Shieldhall has open decks and a covered Saloon and awning deck, and offers hot and cold food, real ale, wine and tea/coffee on all sailings. A regular sight on the Solent during the summer, Shieldhall delights passengers who wish to experience the magic of 'steam at sea.'
There’s a 10% discount for parties of 10 or more on excursion tickets. Food and drink are available on board, and free parking for coaches is close to the ship.
For more information, prices and to book tickets or alongside visits, please visit www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk or call the Ticket Manager on 02381 550 242/email tickets@ss-shieldhall.co.uk.
Staying in Southampton
Southampton offers a range of accommodation options, from convenient city centre bases to retreats on the outskirts of the city, trusted chains to independent and boutique options.
In a central location is the Leonardo Royal Hotel Southampton Grand Harbour, boasting fantastic views of the Solent. With 173 rooms, great leisure and spa facilities and a Marco Pierre White restaurant, there's no shortage of onsite amenities. Further city centre options include Moxy Hotel, Travelodge and Premier Inn.
Smaller groups may wish to consider more boutique options such as THE PIG in the wall, Ennio's or The White Star Tavern.
Coach parking
Free coach parking is offered at several locations across the city. This applies to coaches wishing to stop for up to ten hours.
Coach (Bus) Stop for picking up/setting down passengers:
- Havelock Road (SO14 7FY) has 45 metres to accommodate approximately 3 coaches for 30 30-minute short stays to set down and pick up passengers for the SeaCity museum and the Mayflower Theatre.
- West Park Road (SO15 1AQ) – Bus Stand, south side, close to multi-storey car park. Bus Stand, no stopping at any time except for buses.
Coach (Bus) Parking places for up to 10 hours of parking. These facilities are intended for long-stay Coach parking with a maximum stay of 10 hours, no return same day:
- Herbert Walker Avenue (SO15 1HJ) has 80 metres to accommodate approximately 6 coaches and is located within 10 minutes’ walk of IKEA and 15 minutes from Westquay Shopping Centre and the shops/malls around The Precinct. Also convenient for the Tudor House and garden on Bugle Street.
- Mayflower Car Park (SO51 1HJ), located within a short walk for the Tudor House and the Isle of Wight Ferry Terminal.
- Palmerston Road (SO14 1NH) has 30 meters to accommodate approximately 2 coaches and is located under 10 minutes’ walk from Westquay and the shops/malls around The Precinct and around 15 minutes from IKEA.
Coach parking up to 4 hours, no return the same day, Monday-Saturday 8 am-6 pm
- Britannia Road (SO14 5QZ), the closest coach parking to St Mary’s Stadium
For queries on all of the above, contact Southampton City Council call 023 8083 3008 (lines are open Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 5 pm, Closed Bank Holidays) or visit Southampton City Council’s website here.
