The city of Southampton is a major port and visited by some of the world's largest cruise liners. Historic buildings can be seen in the Old Town area south of Bargate which was the historic entrance to the town. Parts of the town walls remain along Western Esplanade and elsewhere. In the 18th century Southampton became a fashionable spa and a number of Regency buildings can be seen from this period. Walking trails of the city can be downloaded from www.visitsouthampton.co.uk.
If you are arriving from a cruise ship and need to reach Southampton Central railway station (or the Coach Station) I recommend taking a taxi. While walking is certainly possible (and safe) it is probably too far for most people with heavy luggage. Taxi telephone numbers are shown on the station poster.
TI tel. 023 8083 3333.
www.visitsouthampton.co.uk |
www.threeriversrail.com |
www.redfunnel.co.uk
For Southampton Airport Parkway station see Eastleigh.
The main area covers the impact on Southampton of the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, many of the
crew were local residents. Other areas tell the stories of people arriving in or departing from the port of Southampton.
Temporary exhibitions programme. Café.
Open Daily 1000-1700, last admission 1600.
www.seacitymuseum.co.uk
Permanent galleries with items from the wide ranging collection of mostly British art, including a
series of works by Sir Edward Burne-Jones on the Story of Perseus. Temporary exhibitions programme. Admission free.
Open M-S & BH 1000-1500 (closes 1700 Sat).
www.southamptoncityartgallery.com
A late 15th century timber-framed house and the remains of a Norman house accessible from the garden.
Highlights include decorated glass window panes, a penny farthing bicycle, a sedan chair and a collection of Victorian fairings.
Recreated Tudor knot garden with formal pathways and low hedges. Café.
Open MTWTh 1000-1500, SSu 1000-1700.
www.tudorhouseandgarden.com
One of the oldest surviving merchant's houses in England. Built in about 1290 the partly timber-framed
building was a home, shop and warehouse combined. Replica furnishings show how it would have looked in the mid-14th century.
Open Apr-Sep, SSu 1100-1600.
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Aircraft and artefacts cover the aviation history of Southampton and the Solent area where local aircraft
manufacturers built a wide variety of flying machines including the Spitfire, flying boats, helicopters, hovercraft and spacecraft.
Open M-S 1000-1700. Sun 1200-1700.
www.solentskymuseum.org
Solent Sky Museum is only ¾ mile Woolston station across Itchen Bridge.
A family theme park with many rides and attractions including Peppa Pig World.
Gardens. Restaurant, café and food kiosks. Events programme.
Open please see website.
www.paultonspark.co.uk
Bus X7/X7R from Rail Station to entrance, shortly after the bridge over the M27.
23 minutes journey, M-S hourly. Some journeys enter the Park, see timetable.
Operated by Salisbury Reds.
Buses also operate from Romsey and Totton.
The Gardens are famous for rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias. Other highlights include herbaceous borders,
rare trees and shrubs, irises and water gardens. Riverside walk with views of Beaulieu River. 12¼" gauge steam railway.
Adventure play area. Tearoom.
Open Apr-Oct, Daily 1000-1730.
www.exbury.co.uk
Bus 9 from Rail Station to Blackfield Crossroads,
then 1¾ miles walk. 45-50 minutes journey, M-S every 20 minutes, Sun & BH every 30 minutes.
Also bus 8 from Station (and Rushington Roundabout), 65 minutes journey, M-S hourly.
Operated by Bluestar.
These buses also operate from Totton. In summer New Forest Tour buses operate from
Brockenhurst and Lymington to Exbury Gardens.
Calshot Castle is a Tudor artillery fort built to defend the sea passage to Southampton.
More recently it was used as a Navy and RAF base. Extensive views of the Solent from the top of the keep.
Open Apr-Oct, Daily 1000-1600.
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Bus 8 from Station to Calshot Beach then 1 mile walk, about 70 minutes journey, M-S hourly.
Also bus 9 from Rushington Roundabout (¾ mile from station), 55 minutes journey, Sun only.
Operated by Bluestar.
These buses also operate from Totton.