Southampton - Do & See
Whether you want to visit one of the best UK art galleries outside London or fancy catching a blockbusting musical, Southampton is place to come to. The city is home to some of the region’s best concert halls and venues, boasting three outstanding art galleries and two magnificent theatres.Please visit: www.visit-southampton.co.uk
Southampton’s Old Town
The Old Town is a vibrant quarter based on its own historic identity. It has a mix of building design dating from the 12th century, through to high-quality Victorian architecture, to present day contemporary design, and is clearly bordered on three sides by one of the longest surviving stretches of medieval town walls in the country, including The Bargate – one of the country’s finest medieval town gates.
This area, full of character, is now home to independent restaurants, wine bars, and hotels. The grade II listed Dolphin Hotel, famous for being regularly visited by Jane Austen in the early 19th century, was recently reopened under the Mercure brand following a £4m pleasant refurbishment. It now offers 4-star quality facilities including 90-bedrooms and restaurant.
Walk in the footsteps of William The Conqueror, Henry V, William Shakespeare, and the Pilgrim Fathers – a paved trail ‘Time Line’ has been installed to illuminate the rich and fascinating history of the Old Town, commemorating key events from Southampton’s history from the early Roman settlement. Guided walks are available run by Southampton Tourist Guides Association and there are a selection of self-guided trails to follow, such as The Medieval Trail, World War II trail and the Titanic Trail.
See Southampton Tourist Guides Association at:
The Tudor House Museum & Gardens
Located in the Old Town is Southampton’s oldest museum, The Tudor House & Garden, which was built at the end of the 15th century. This important historic building is currently undergoing a major £5.4m refurbishment, transforming it into an exceptional visitor experience, and will reopen for summer 2011.
Medieval Merchants House
This was built in 1290, as the home of a Southampton man who made his fortune trading with Bordeaux, and is one of the earliest surviving merchant’s houses in England. It has been restored to its mid-14th century appearance and replica furnishings provide an insight into medieval life. In 2011, The Medieval Merchant’s House will be open from April and September.
Titanic Trail
Southampton will always be associated with the ill-fated liner, RMS Titanic, which set sail from these waters in 1912. The tourist board have devised a walk with an accompanying book around the various memorial and related points of interest of this tragic story.
Solent Sky Aviation Museum
The Southampton Hall of Aviation (Solent Sky) depicts the history of aviation in the Solent area with a collection of authentic aircraft. It houses a Spitfire and a Sandringham Flying Boat among others.
Southampton Maritime Museum
The museum is housed in a 14th-century Wool House. The collection features large model ships as well as a large number of items relating to the Titanic disaster. It houses the Titanic Voices exhibition, and a model of the docks, which was built for the 1939 New York World’s Fair.
Museum Of Archaeology
This excellent museum is home to one of the most outstanding collections in England. The museum displays artefacts from prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and medieval Southampton.
Southampton City Art Gallery
The magnificent City Art Gallery has over 3 500 works of art covering six centuries of European culture from the Italian Renaissance to French Impressionism. Its core collection of 20 th century British art is internationally renowned.
Day Trip To The Isle Of Wight
A short journey from Southampton’s Town Quay to this popular holiday island. There are a host of attractions once there. The scenery boasts of contrasts with open down land, woods and forests, wide sandy beaches and chalk cliffs.
Bike The Tracks Of New Forest
A 12 minute river crossing from Southampton brings you to the picturesque harbour town of Hythe from where your choice of bike can be collected. You are then free to explore the New Forest with its beautiful scenery, historic castles and famous sea views.
Southampton’s Parks
Southampton is probably the greenest city in Southern England. Close to the Old Town are seven Grade II listed formal parks, which have been fully restored to their former Victorian glory and have their traditional bandstand, rose gardens, elaborate fountains and imposing sculptures which evoke the city’s history and civic pride.
The huge 326 acre Common, just a short walk from the city centre, is a haven for flora and fauna and has been designated a UNESCO site of special scientific interest.
The Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre, based on The Common, gives visitors the opportunity to learn about the local ecology and wildlife.
Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre:
Southampton’s Theatres
At the heart of Southampton’s performing arts tradition is the majestic Mayflower Theatre, the largest theatre in Southern England. This opened in 1928, and has recently undergone extensive refurbishment. You can see musicals, ballet, traditional pantomime, operatic productions as well as comedy acts and evenings with celebrities.
Situated on the University campus in the Highfield region of the city is the Nuffield Theatre. It hosts all kinds of drama, from Shakespeare to contemporary, and regularly features international premieres.
There are regular concerts at the Turner Sims Concert Hall, the city’s premier chamber, classical, jazz and world music venue, while the superb Southampton Guildhall offers a multipurpose venue.
Bike the Tracks of the New forest
A 12 minute river crossing from Southampton brings you to the picturesque harbour town of Hythe which is just on the edge of The New Forest. There is something for everyone in The New Forest, whether you’re looking to relax, explore or just enjoy, The New Forest is an ideal location. There is a wealth of places to visit from award winning gardens, wildlife parks and farms and The New Forest is a haven for the cyclist, horse rider and walker.
Other Leisure
Sports – Southampton offers a wide range of sports facilities including golf (The Municipal Golf Course), Tennis (David Lloyd Tennis Club), sailing, canoeing/kayaking, swimming and diving, and general leisure centre activities. St Mary’s Stadium is home to Southampton Football Club.
