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TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
Why travel to Southampton: Find out the top 10 reasons to visit
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01
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A Sneak Peek into Southampton
- Southampton is a peninsula between the mouths of the rivers Test and Itchen with one of the world's most excellent natural harbours.
- It was England's busiest port for transatlantic passenger transportation until the 1930s when enormous ships such as the Queen Mary were built there.
- It's still a bustling port that's fun to visit and see enormous cruise and cargo ships arrive and go.
- The views from the excellent Hythe Ferry service, which regularly runs over the Solent, the 20-mile-wide strait that connects the Isle of Wight to the mainland, are spectacular.
- Excellent shopping facilities can be found in and around the city, with Westquay being one of the greatest.
- The Southampton International Film Festival, for example, is one of the city's many cultural events.
- Southampton is also known for exploring the New Forest and the Isle of Wight.
- The city's abundant green spaces and parks, notably the 326-acre Southampton Common, will appeal to nature enthusiasts.
- Itchen Valley Country Park, a magnificent 440-acre site with fantastic hiking and bicycling, is another region of the countryside to visit.
- International Airport: Southampton International Airport
- Population - 944,000
- Currency: the pound sterling
- Time: UTC +1
- Driving side: right
- Main Electricity: 230 V
- Official Language: English
- Religion: Christian
02
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
Top Tourist Attractions in Southampton
- Take a walk around the Medieval City Walls.
- Tudor House and Garden are worth a visit.
- The Medieval Merchant's House on French Street, just a short walk from the city centre, is another magnificent ancient house to see.
- Visit the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu to see vintage automobiles.
- Visit the Old Town and the Bargate.
03
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
Best Months to Visit Southampton
- The average temperature in Southampton varies greatly.
- For around half of the year, temperatures are cold but otherwise comfortable, with a chance of rain or snow for the rest of the year.
- The location is less temperate than other tourist destinations worldwide, scoring in the 26th percentile for pleasant weather.
- The weeks with the most excellent weather are listed above. If you want to visit Southampton during the hottest months, July, August, and June are your best chances.
- Late July is the hottest month, with highs of 72.6°F (22.6°C) with nighttime temperatures rarely falling below 53.9°F (12.2°C).
04
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
The Best Places to Visit in Southampton
the Medieval City Walls
- The Western Esplanade, which also houses Wind Whistle Tower, provides the best views of Southampton's 14th-century mediaeval walls, the third-longest intact stretch of the city wall in the United Kingdom.
- St. Michael's on Castle Way, erected in the 11th century and featuring Norman relics and a font made of Tournai marble, is Southampton's only remaining mediaeval church.
- Follow the walls south to Mayflower Park, adjacent to the Pilgrim Fathers' Mayflower Memorial, and Wool House, a 14th-century warehouse.
- Some entertaining guided walking tours of the historic walls and mediaeval cellars are available. Try the self-guided tour, which is simple to follow and includes maps from the Tudor House shop.
Tudor House and Garden
- The splendid Tudor mansion in St. Michael's Square was built for a wealthy merchant family in the late 15th century.
- It is now a museum that has objects from the Victorian and Edwardian eras and rotating exhibitions that span over 900 years of local history.
- Visitors can appreciate the reconstructed kitchens and various items, including Georgian and Victorian jewellery and archaeological finds from the mediaeval and Tudor periods, with free audio guides.
- A shop and café exist on the property, and visitors can participate in regular activities and learning opportunities
The Medieval Merchant's House
- The Medieval Merchant's House on French Street, just a short walk from the city centre, is another magnificent ancient house to see.
- This historic townhouse, built-in 1290, has been extensively restored and is one of the few surviving specimens of its type.
- Seeing collections of ancient furniture and wall hangings and distinctive architectural embellishments is one of the highlights of a visit.
- They provide a fascinating insight into the living conditions of a wealthy 13th-century family
05
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
Southampton Off the Beaten Track
Beaulieu's National Motor Museum
- The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu is a 14-mile drive southwest of Southampton through portions of the New Forest.
- It is one of the largest motor museums in the world.
- The official collection of original James Bond automobiles and other renowned movie cars, such as the flying Ford Anglia from Harry Potter, and homemade cars built for the Top Gear TV series, are among the many exhibits.
- The magnificent Palace House and Gardens are also worth mentioning.
- It's a treat to visit for its magnificent spreading lawns and paths overlooking the Beaulieu River, once the 13th-century Great Gatehouse of Beaulieu Abbey.
- The monorail and vintage buses at the site are also available for use.
Visit the SeaCity Museum
- The SeaCity Museum presents the tale of Southampton's inhabitants and their role in Britain's rich maritime history and the experiences of those who have gone from (or arrived in) the port over the years.
- Southampton's connection to the ill-fated ship, which sailed from the harbour in 1912, is also told in the Titanic Story exhibit.
- The Southampton City Art Gallery is also housed in the 1930s Art Deco Civic Centre that contains this fantastic museum.
- There are 3,500 works on display here, including old masters and English artists from 1750 to the present and a remarkable collection of ceramics.
- There are food and retail options available.
06
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
Southampton Culture and Traditions
- The UK City of Culture 2025 competition, run by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in partnership with the devolved governments, uses culture as a catalyst for levelling up areas outside of London and putting new parts of the UK on the international cultural map.
- The winner, who will be named next year, will succeed Coventry as the UK City of Culture in 2021 and will be at the forefront of the UK's cultural spotlight in 2025.
- The title brings millions of visitors and investments to the winning city and brings communities together to promote their homes to the rest of the country and the world.
- Throughout the competition's history, the winning cities have always received financial assistance to ensure the program's viability and long-term legacy.
- The government has awarded Coventry more than £15.5 million to help fund its year as the UK City of Culture.
07
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
Southampton: Food, Fun & Fashion Guide
Hamburger
#FOOD
- Okay, it's hardly the city's most emblematic food, but burgers in Southampton are serious affairs that must be handled with care.
- There are several varieties of junk food king in the British city's premises, a great blend of classic ground beef, peanut butter, and other magnificent English components.
Omelette
#FOOD
- Southampton is well-known for its excellent egg production, primarily utilised in the kitchen to make omelettes.
- The influence of European (French in this case) or worldwide gastronomy is decisive in this case.
- Yet, the local cooks are excellent at revisiting traditional and local recipes and giving them a personal touch.
Pancakes
#FOOD
- Never say no to a plate of fluffy, delectable pancakes drenched in maple syrup!
- This delightful dessert, a sweet charge for a traditional English breakfast, can be consumed at any time of day, as a snack or even as a midnight snack.
Westquay Southampton
#FASHION
- Westquay is the South Coast's main shopping and entertainment area, conveniently positioned just a few minutes to walk from Southampton Central train station in the city centre.
- It is the ideal shopping destination, with over 80 retailers featuring substantial brand names like Lego, The White Company, Zara, John Lewis & Partners, and Marks & Spencer.
- Do you have a desire for anything to eat? There are over 50 cafés, pubs, and restaurants in Westquay serving cuisine from all over the world, from American and Italian to Thai and Mexican, so there's something for everyone's taste buds.
- Make a day of it by going to the Hollywood Bowl or seeing the latest film at Showcase Cinema de Lux.
Hobgoblin Music
#FASHION
- From Rock to Folk to Classical, Hobgoblin Music has a wide choice of musical instruments. Southampton is our newest branch, having opened in 1976.
- The shop, which is sometimes referred to as an Aladdin's cave, is always worth visiting!
- Come in and look around without feeling obligated to buy anything. Drew McIntosh, the manager, and his team are ready to assist you.
Paultons Park Rides
#FUN
- Paultons offers a wide range of rides for kids, families, and thrill-seekers, all of which are included in the price of admission (excluding Go Karts).
- There's something for everyone at our amusement park, including roller coasters, water attractions, train rides, flat rides, drop tower rides, a driving school, and much more!
- A balloon ride, Ferris wheel, boat rides, tractor rides, train rides, and other rides are available for children under the height of one metre.
Peppa Pig World
#FUN
- Peppa Pig has a theme park of her own! All admission tickets include Peppa Pig World, part of Paultons Family Theme Park.
- Visit the world's first and largest Peppa Pig World, which features nine exciting rides designed for young children and ideal for toddlers!
- Meet Peppa Pig and George, two of the most popular cartoon characters who come on the veranda in front of the schoolhouse every day.
- The Park is open for photo opportunities with its adoring admirers.
- Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig, Zoe Zebra, and Suzy Sheep also make cameos throughout the holiday season.
08
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
Southampton: Natural Beauty & Safari Adventures
- Chessel Bay Local Nature Reserve is located south of Northam Bridge on the eastern bank of the River Itchen.
- Wading birds such as curlews and oystercatchers, numerous varieties of seaweed, common coastal crabs, and purple flowering sea aster are among the plants and animals found here.
- Chessel Bay is a significant local landmark since it is the only extended piece of natural beachfront in the Itchen's lower reaches.
- In addition, it is home to Southampton's only salt-marsh vegetation.
- Mudflats make up a considerable area of the property, and at low tide, they provide essential feeding sites for wading birds and wildfowl.
- During the winter months, the site attracts many birds, and other migrating species such as common sandpipers and greenshanks utilise it as a rest stop.
- The shoreline is shingle, with a marshy section running along the woodland's border.
- This is bordered by various flora, including common reed, yellow iris, and sea club-rush.
- As a result of the tidal influence, plants and animals typical of coastal habitats can be found here.
- The purple flowers of sea asters can be observed from July onwards, and common coastal crabs are regularly sighted.
- The light green sea lettuce and the bladderwrack, which can survive freshwater, are among the seaweeds found in the mud.
- The historic Supermarine Factory, famous for producing seaplanes and the Spitfire, is located near Peartree Green.
- During World War II, bombing raids on the plant destroyed many of the homes on the Green and left large bomb holes.
- Chalk from the M27 highway was put at the bottom of the Green in the 1970s, covering sections used for landfills in the 1960s, creating a unique home for a variety of orchids and insects.
- If you're coming alone, make friends with like-minded people and find a club to call home; if you're coming with a car club or friends, have a driving holiday in the most stunning setting in England.
- Phil Budd, Southampton Natural History Society, and other volunteers monitor the plants and wildlife of Peartree Green regularly.
- They've graciously given a list of the species they've discovered.
09
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
Southampton Must-Attend Festivals and Events
- In 2022, the Isle of Wight Takeover will be accessible to ALL makes and models.
- If you're coming alone, make friends with like-minded people and find a club to call home.
- If you're coming alone, make friends with like-minded people and find a club to call home; if you're coming with a car club or friends, have a driving holiday in the most stunning setting in England.
- Enjoy some of the best driving routes in the UK and take photos in beautiful settings all around the island while watching a slew of modified vehicles enjoying the same spots; it's like everyone is playing Forza at the same time.
- Many people like to spend a long weekend or a week in an old-fashioned English Caravan or Chalet.
- VIP tickets, including a fast track entrance and a goody bag filled with samples, discounts, and special deals, are available here!
- Not to be missed festival highlights for Saturday, May 14, 2022
- Cooked and raw foods, pies, cakes, chocolates, sandwiches and salads, beauty and skincare items, candles, cheeses, jewellery, crafts, healthy treats, sweet delights, apparel, drinks, juices, smoothies, charity merchandise, and more are available at the 80+ Vegan vendors.
- Free samples and a large selection of international culinary providers!
FAQs to Plan Your Best Southampton Holiday
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Places similar to Southampton to visit
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