Holidays in Southampton

Southampton is a city that rests on the south coast of England, in the county of Hampshire. It is among the 20 largest cities in England, having grown rapidly in the last 30 years. It is a great destination for shoppers, with two main shopping malls, as well as for maritime and history enthusiasts, as the city boasts museums, medieval city walls and historical docks. Southampton holidays provide something enjoyable for everyone.

Southampton holidays: top tips

The best time of year to visit Southampton is during England's summer months of June, July or August, when the weather will be at its sunniest and warmest. A seasonal treat for winter is the German Christmas market that takes place on the main shopping street Every year in December. Southampton has its own airport near the city and nearby London airports are also conveniently close. Trains will take you to Southampton city centre from either location. Getting around Southampton is best done on foot. The timezone in Southampton is GMT.

Activities for Southampton holidays

The city's medieval walls, gatehouses and towers can be walked along and explored, and the stone Bargate in the centre is a must-see site. Two shopping malls in the city centre, West Quay and The Marlands, both offer an array of high street shops. Boat lovers will appreciate The SeaCity Museum, with its exhibition about the famous Titanic ocean liner. The Central Park and Southampton Common are two of the city's major green spaces and the latter makes for an ideal place to take a long relaxing walk. The Mayflower Theatre, the largest in southern England, hosts West End musicals as well as opera and ballet productions. A short ferry ride runs to the Isle of Wight, a small island just off of England's south coast, several times a day.