Southampton
Many of you will be crossing over to the Isle of Wight from here
A large number of our clients arrive here via Southampton, often after finishing or before starting a cruise. Many of you don’t get the time to look round Southampton itself – or perhaps would do so if you knew what there was to see. So, we want to help you by telling you a little bit about this historic city and proposing that we would be both able and delighted to help you plan your time here, guiding you round places that we feel sure you will really enjoy.
Clearly, what you do depends on a combination both of your own interests and your personal time schedule. But we would love to help you both plan what you would ideally like to see and to guide you round (either ourselves, or by teaming up with one of our Southampton-based experts).
Let this add a finishing touch to what will be or has been an amazing Isle of Wight experience!
The Titanic and SeaCity Museum
(a must-see if you have time for nothing else!)
Interactive museum of which a significant part tells the story of the ‘unsinkable Titanic’ which set off on it first and last transatlantic crossing from here. Step back in time and listen to the stories of the people who were there and learn about the impact the disaster had on Southampton.
Gateway to the world
There is also a large section about Southampton’s role as the ‘Gateway to the World’ and an exploration of its rich and diverse history.
Titanic and History of Southampton Deluxe Tour (good to go)
Exclusive in-house tour led by senior SeaCity Museum staff with ‘behind the scenes’ access.
Includes catering if required.
Conference room and lecture facilities available on request
Tour can include Tudor House and Gardens and/or Southampton City Art Gallery if desired
Please speak to us for further details.
Grand Harbour Hotel
Many of you will be wanting to stay overnight – and if you need any tips on accommodation, please feel free to get in touch with us. There is such a wide variety on offer - it won’t be hard to find what is right for you. Some of the accommodation even provides cruise parking and where necessary, a shuttle into town. Just have a word with us about what you are looking for, however – we do generally recommend Grand Harbour Hotel – a good hotel which is really convenient for the cruise terminals, town centre and Red Jet high speed catamaran and also the Isle of Wight car ferry.
Bars and restaurants – too numerous to mention
We suggest you take a look at the very lively Oxford Street, which has a really good vibe and boasts quite a few independent restaurants and great pubs. For that extra special meal, you might like to try ‘Pig in the Wall’ or Marco Pierre White’s ‘Steakhouse Bar and Grill. Or Westquay (please see below!) OR… if you have just that little bit more time, why not give Ocean Village a go (also see below).
Ocean Village for that touch of luxury….
Ocean Village is a modern, mixed-use marina in the heart of Southampton, known for its luxury residential developments, leisure facilities and vibrant waterfront dining scene. It features a range of bars and restaurants, a cinema and a luxury hotel and spa complex, set around a deep-water basin that can accommodate superyachts.
If eating here, you can enjoy a superb dinner with a view – overlooking the marina and either immersing or re-immersing yourself into pre- or post-Island mood!
But for a more structured tour, look no further than:
Southampton City Walking Tour (good to go)
Bargate – the original medieval gateway into Southampton (pictured right)
The City Walls – Some of the most complete medieval defence structures in England – originally stretching over a mile with 29 towers and 8 gates. They are a Grade 1 listed scheduled monument
The Tudor House and Garden (pictured below right). This house has over 800 years of history from its Norman roots, then later to a wealthy merchant’s home by the 1500s. Later again, it became a part of the town’s defences. It still contains some tudor artefacts as well as later ones. Lovely garden and tearoom.
St. Michael’s – Southampton’s oldest surviving church, founded in 1070.
Westgate Hall - nearby 15th century timber framed – next to West Gate, the departure point of the Mayflower (which transported a group of English families, known today as ‘the Pilgrims’ from England to Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620), where they established the first permanent New England colony.
At weekends, you can visit the God’s House Tower, a mixed arts venue with changing exhibitions along with a popular café. In addition, the Tower has a permanent ‘Stones behind the Stones’ attraction which tells the history of the building and also affords a fantastic view across to the Waterfront and Eastern docks.
Your tailormade City Tour will start and finish from wherever you would like it to. Remember – your tour will be bespoke and not ‘off the peg’. (You will always be able to include SeaCity Musuem or anything else you want to visit in your tour).
For Jane Austen fans
Jane Austen lived in Southampton with her family from 1806 – 1809. They rented a house in Castle Square, and she briefly attended school here as a child. She also celebrated her 18th birthday at a local ball in the Dolphin Hotel.
We can arrange for you to take a dedicated guided ‘Jane Austen trail’ if you would like to do so.
Click the images to zoom in
And for Art Lovers…
Southampton City Art Gallery
Situated in the Cultural Quarter. Free entrance to view over 5,000 works of art across eight centuries as well as an ever-changing display of contemporary art exhibitions.
And for those who like to shop: Westquay Shopping Centre
Westquay Shopping Centre (right) boasts over 100 stores. It also has a large choice of restaurants. This is by no means the only place to shop in Southampton! However, it is a very good (and very large!) option – and very close to both the cruise ship terminals and the Isle of Wight ferry and Red Jet. In addition, it offers yet more great dining options – whether up on its top floor (until 8 p.m. only). If you prefer, Westquay South offers outdoor dining options overlooking the Town Walls.
We really think you will find more than enough to see and do here! Let us help you plan your time and guide you round this interesting city.
Southampton — An Elegant Beginning or a Perfect Finale
For many of our guests, Southampton is more than simply a place of arrival or departure. It can form a most rewarding part of the journey — whether you are here before a cruise, staying on afterwards, or have a little time to spare before crossing to the Isle of Wight.
This historic port city has a great deal to offer, much of it often missed. From the deeply moving Titanic story and its medieval walls, to art galleries, waterfront dining and quieter, characterful corners, your time here can be shaped entirely around your interests and the time you have available. I would be very happy to help you plan and guide a bespoke Southampton visit — as either an elegant beginning, or a fitting finale, to your Isle of Wight experience.