Owning an impressive CV is a must when you’re striving to be named a UK City of Culture. In fact, the list of things to do in Southampton boasts such an enviable variety of activities, historic landmarks, exciting entertainment options and fabulous eateries, you might well be tempted to relocate.
Things to do in Southampton: get here, get around, and get some sleep
Before your Southampton adventures can commence, it’s essential to sort out all the travel basics. The city is a prime UK summer destination with thousands of annual visitors arriving by air from domestic and overseas points of origin. Many of them also seek affordable car hire for convenient transport and inexpensive accommodation offering tempting views and delightful amenities. We’ve compiled a few useful links to assist with your three essential “gets” to plan the perfect travel itinerary.
Find cheap car hire in Southampton
Public transport in Southampton
Southampton has excellent public transport options to help you navigate the city and its surrounding areas in Hampshire. The M27 and M3 motorways funnel vehicular traffic to and from the city, with the M271 extending past Southampton Port to Town Quay.
Southampton Central is the National Rail intercity mainline train station with local/regional services to other city stations operated by South Western Railway. Regional bus transport is provided by First Hampshire & Dorset, Bluestar, Xelabus and Unilink. From Town Quay, you can get a ferry service via Red Funnel or Hythe Ferry to the Isle of Wight.
Things to do in Southampton: seasonal adventures on land/by sea
Southampton is the perfect getaway for both winter and summer adventures. The Alpine Snowsports Centre offers an artificial environment where you can learn skiing, snowboarding and sledging under the watchful eye of skilled staff.
When summer days heat up, Southampton Water Activities Centre is ideal for the kids to cool off while the adults cool their heels at the nearby Southampton Municipal Golf Course. The centre provides facilities for disabled and visually-impaired visitors, and trained staff is available to offer instruction to your young ones while you work on your swing.
Alternatively, you can all board the historic SS Shieldhall for one of its educational/sightseeing tours cruising the depths of Southampton Waters and The Solent. The Beaulieu River and its many canals coursing through the New Forest National Park invite you to enjoy some paddling fun whilst kayaking or canoeing with friends or family from January through to December.
High-energy activities for teens and young adults
Feel the need for an adrenaline rush? We’ve got a few alternative things to do in Southampton to pack some high-energy punches into your city adventures. Paintball and airball are increasingly popular pastimes for teens/young adults as well as a fun way to build esprit de corps among the troops at the office and kids at school.
Ambush Activities and Nationwide Paintball Southampton are just minutes away from each other and a short drive east of the city centre.
TeamSport Go Karting has its own high-tech track for high-speed enthusiasts, just a stone’s throw from the tracks at Eastleigh Rail Station. Alone, with the kids or with a group of friends, it’s invigorating excitement for everyone.
Things to do in Southampton: experience the history
If you want to get to know the port city of Southampton, the best way is to walk through its history. An ideal starting point for your explorations is a tour of the Medieval City Walls and Bargate Tower in the historic old town, which were both constructed to protect it from marauding French pirates. Afterwards, you can set off along the Titanic Trail, admiring the fascinating exhibits at SeaCity Museum before ending your tour at the famous Southampton Docks where the ill-fated ship was launched.
Let your imagination soar among the clouds courtesy of the legendary Spitfire models at Solent Sky Museum, then return to earth with a leisurely stroll at Tudor House and Garden or the National Oceanography Centre. Meanwhile, the National Motor Museum showcases international vintage cars and features an exclusive Bond exhibit, while Palace House showcases classic buses and a monorail around its immaculate gardens.
Enjoy Southampton’s parks and gardens
Embellish your walk through the history of Southampton with an occasional break at one of its many parks, gardens and galleries. Within a few steps of Southampton Central Station in the city centre, Watts Park, Southampton City Art Gallery, East Park and Palmerston Park occupy the area between SeaCity Museum and the Medieval City Walls. After wandering around Canute’s Palace, the Watergate Ruin and God’s House Tower, Queens Park is a natural rest point.
Further north, near the University of Southampton’s main campus, is the glorious expanse of Southampton Common, the largest recreational space in the city. You can have lunch here on the way back from spending the morning at The Outdoor Sports Centre, Alpine Snowsports Southampton and Southampton Municipal Golf Course. Exbury Gardens in Beaulieu boasts 200 or so acres featuring camellias, hydrangeas and azaleas, as well as the Exbury Steam Railway.
Things to do in Southampton: sample the annual events calendar
One of the things that makes Southampton a top UK tourist destination is the sheer number and diversity of its annual events. From early winter to late autumn, the city hosts a plethora of adult and family-oriented music, food and entertainment festivities that would enhance any visit, long or short. Use this highlights list to mark the date, reserve your seats and endure the wait to participate:
- Jan/Feb: Chinese New Year Celebrations
- March: Southampton Festival of Music and Drama
- April: Southampton Marathon
- May: Science and Engineering Day and Southampton Jazz Festival
- June: Dogstival
- July: Hampshire Food Festival
- August: Southampton Pride
- September: Southampton International Boat Show
- October: Autumn Steam-up and Halloween
Include sports and entertainment on your list of things to do in Southampton
Southampton offers a wide range of sports and culture with high entertainment value. Southampton FC plays top-flight football at St Mary’s Stadium, while Ageas Bowl hosts Hampshire County Cricket Club. A few miles north-west, you will find Test Park Sports Ground, where Southampton Rugby Football Club and the Solent Thrashers (American Football) play their home fixtures. In the Cultural Quarter, the O2 Guildhall Southampton and Mayflower Theatre offer you classical music, ballet, and opera.
Ageas Bowl, St. Mary’s Stadium and O2 Guildhall are also premier venues for attending live concerts by internationally-renowned recording artists, promising new acts and comedians. However, the Engine Rooms and The Joiners are also recommended. For alternative forms of entertainment, you can match wits at Exciting Escapes Southampton with its 21 escape rooms full of thrilling mysteries and puzzles. There’s also a bowling alley and several multiplexes showing classic and recently released feature films.
Things to do in Southampton: eat, drink, make merry, and shop
When it’s time, savour the pleasures of eating, drinking, making merry and, yes, shopping; Southampton does it like few others can. For retail therapy, Westquay Shopping Centre, Westquay South and Primark are city standards, but you can also uncover fab bargains at area boutiques. Dinner reservations are recommended, with prices ranging from approximately £10 to £30 per adult. The Real Greek (budget), Lakaz Maman (mid-range), and Miller & Carter (high-end) stand out among a very crowded field.
Southampton’s nightlife is legendary. To prove the point, numerous hen or stag dos can be spotted in its many bars and clubs on any given weekend. The Hobbit Pub is the place of choice to enjoy a proper pint, but if it’s cocktails you’re after, 1932 Bar and Revolucion de Cuba get the nod. Switch, Revolution Southampton and Heartbreakers also serve great drinks and allow you to dance the night and your cares away until the wee hours.
Attractive alternatives
For those who prefer to prepare meals at home, Southampton Farmers Market (Bedford Place) and Hampshire Farmers Market (Oxford Street) offer fresh local produce, meats, fish and delicacies, while Asda, Sainsburys and Tesco each have several outlets from which to choose. Patrons that prefer their entertainment with a side of improv should discover the talent at Southampton Jazz Club.
