UltimateCity Guide Brighton
Our favourites
The Bargate, Southampton’s medieval gatehouse, in early sun under a deep blue sky

Beyond Brighton · about 1 h 50 west by direct train

Southampton: Our Favourites

Southampton, about 1 hour 50 minutes west of Brighton by direct train: the Bargate and more than a mile of medieval walls, Tudor House, SeaCity Museum and the Titanic story, Ocean Village marina, and Italian, Spanish and Indian restaurants from Town Quay to Oxford Street.

The back story

  1. Town guide

    Southampton: the back story

    Southampton·In depth

    A Saxon trading town, medieval walls raised after a French raid, the Mayflower, the great liners and the Spitfire: Southampton’s story is the story of its water.

    Explore View on map

  2. Town guide

    The Old Town and its walls: the back story

    Old Town, Southampton·In depth

    More than a mile of medieval wall, the Bargate, God’s House Tower, a Tudor house and a merchant’s hall: a walk through the Old Town.

    Explore View on map

  3. 10 April 1912

    Southampton, the liners and Titanic: the back story

    Southampton·In depth

    The port of the great liners: the White Star Line, Titanic’s departure on 10 April 1912, the Southampton crew, and the cruise terminals of today.

    Explore View on map

  4. Christmas

    Christmas in Southampton

    Southampton·In depth

    Robin Hood with Ashley Banjo and Diversity at the Mayflower, the city-centre Christmas market by the Bargate, and the free Snow Windows trail.

    Explore View on map

Where to stay

  1. On the marina

    Harbour Hotel Southampton

    Ocean Village, Southampton·Waterfront hotel

    A super-yacht-inspired hotel on the marina at Ocean Village, with a rooftop bar and a spa.

    5 Maritime Walk, Ocean Village, Southampton SO14 3QTExplore View on map

  2. In an 1866 warehouse

    Ennios

    Town Quay, Southampton·Restaurant with rooms

    An Italian restaurant with ten bedrooms in a red-brick warehouse of 1866 on Town Quay, opposite the Red Funnel terminal.

    Town Quay, Southampton SO14 2ARExplore View on map

  3. By Southampton Common

    Elizabeth House Hotel

    The Avenue, Southampton·Hotel

    A friendly hotel on The Avenue, by the Common, with a bar, dining and cruise parking.

    42–44 The Avenue, Southampton SO17 1XPExplore View on map

  4. Fuller’s

    The White Star Tavern

    Oxford Street, Southampton·Pub with rooms

    A Fuller’s pub and hotel on Oxford Street, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.

    28 Oxford Street, Southampton SO14 3DJExplore View on map

  5. On the waterfront

    Leonardo Royal Hotel Southampton Grand Harbour

    West Quay Road, Southampton·Hotel

    A large waterfront hotel on West Quay Road, between Westquay and the docks.

    West Quay Road, Southampton SO15 1AGExplore View on map

Where to eat

  1. On the marina

    Figurati

    Ocean Village, Southampton·Italian restaurant

    Modern Italian cooking behind floor-to-ceiling windows on Ocean Village marina.

    Unit 7, Admirals Quay, Southampton SO14 3LGExplore View on map

  2. Family-run since 2013

    Max’s Brasserie

    Commercial Road, Southampton·Italian restaurant

    A family-run Italian with Neapolitan and Sicilian roots, handmade pasta and a cigar terrace.

    9 Commercial Road, Southampton SO15 1GFExplore View on map

  3. 100% plant-based

    Késarum

    High Street, Southampton·Indian restaurant

    Regional Indian cooking, entirely plant-based, in a 38-seat dining room on the old High Street.

    25 High Street, Southampton SO14 2DFExplore View on map

  4. Gujarati, meat-free

    Padharo

    Southampton·Indian restaurant

    Meat-free Gujarati cooking from a family kitchen rooted in Bhavnagar.

    Explore View on map

  5. Tapas and paella

    La Regata

    Town Quay, Southampton·Spanish restaurant

    Tapas, paella and Spanish wine on Town Quay, by the Isle of Wight ferries.

    Town Quay, Southampton SO14 2ARExplore View on map

  6. Venetian cicchetti

    Bacaro

    Ocean Village, Southampton·Italian small plates

    Venetian-style small plates, pizzette and cocktails at Ocean Village marina, with live jazz on Fridays.

    Ironside House, Ocean Village Marina, Southampton SO14 3TNExplore View on map

  7. Named after the banana trade

    Banana Wharf

    Ocean Village, Southampton·Waterfront restaurant

    A waterfront restaurant and bar at Ocean Village, named after the docks’ banana trade.

    Channel Way, Ocean Village, Southampton SO14 3JFExplore View on map

  8. A family history from 1940

    George’s

    St Michael Street, Southampton·Greek restaurant

    A family-owned Greek restaurant in the Old Town, with a history going back to 1940.

    1 St Michael Street, Southampton SO14 2ABExplore View on map

  9. Overlooking Queen’s Park

    Porters Steakhouse

    Queens Terrace, Southampton·Steakhouse

    A steakhouse on Queens Terrace overlooking Queen’s Park, where you build your own board.

    20–22 Queens Terrace, Southampton SO14 3BQExplore View on map

Cafés and tea rooms

  1. Independent

    Cafe Thrive

    Hanover Buildings, Southampton·Plant-based café

    An independent café whose whole menu is plant-based, from salads and smoothies to burgers.

    18 Hanover Buildings, Southampton SO14 1JXExplore View on map

  2. Coffee, matcha and bagels

    Barraquito

    Bedford Place, Southampton·Coffee house

    Coffee from Deveroast beans, whisked matcha and homemade bagels on Bedford Place, with wine and cocktails at weekends.

    78 Bedford Place, SouthamptonExplore View on map

  3. Roasting in Portswood

    Mettricks

    Westquay and Portswood, Southampton·Coffee house

    A Southampton coffee house since 2013, roasting its own beans in Portswood.

    267 Portswood Road, SouthamptonExplore View on map

  4. Family-run

    Edison’s Coffee and Wine

    High Street, Southampton·Coffee and wine bar

    A family-run coffee shop and wine bar on the High Street, looking over Holyrood Church.

    126 High Street, SouthamptonExplore View on map

Bars

  1. Speakeasy

    1932

    Above Bar Street, Southampton·Cocktail bar

    A sixty-seat speakeasy-style cocktail lounge on Above Bar Street.

    194 Above Bar Street, Southampton SO14 7DWExplore View on map

  2. Since 2001

    Orange Rooms

    Vernon Walk, Southampton·Cocktail bar

    A cocktail bar and venue off Bedford Place, open since 2001.

    1–2 Vernon Walk, SouthamptonExplore View on map

  3. Oxford Street

    Medbar

    Oxford Street, Southampton·Cocktail bar and club

    A cocktail bar and late-night club on Oxford Street.

    50 Oxford Street, SouthamptonExplore View on map

Pubs

  1. In the Wool House

    Dancing Man Brewery

    Town Quay, Southampton·Brewery pub and kitchen

    A brewery, bar and kitchen in the medieval Wool House by Town Quay.

    The Wool House, Town Quay, Southampton SO14 2ARExplore View on map

  2. Live music

    The Platform Tavern

    Town Quay, Southampton·Pub

    An old-school pub by the dock gates on Town Quay, with live music at weekends.

    Town Quay, Southampton SO14 2NYExplore View on map

  3. In the Old Town

    The Duke of Wellington, Southampton

    Bugle Street, Southampton·Pub

    A timber-framed Old Town pub on Bugle Street with log fires and real ales.

    36 Bugle Street, Southampton SO14 2AHExplore View on map

  4. In a former bank

    The Standing Order

    High Street, Southampton·Pub

    The High Street Wetherspoon, in a former bank on the site of St Lawrence’s Church.

    30 High Street, Southampton SO14 2DFExplore View on map

  5. Craft beer

    London Road Brew House

    London Road, Southampton·Pub and brewery

    A city-centre pub with its own brewery, craft beers and sport on screen.

    67–75 London Road, Southampton SO15 2ABExplore View on map

  6. Titanic memorabilia

    The Grapes

    Oxford Street, Southampton·Pub with rooms

    A relaxed Oxford Street pub with Titanic memorabilia, a terrace and simple rooms.

    41–43 Oxford Street, Southampton SO14 3DPExplore View on map

What to see and do

  1. Flying boats and Spitfires

    Solent Sky Museum

    Southampton·Aviation museum

    Southampton’s aviation museum, telling the story of flight on the Solent.

    Explore View on map

  2. Twelfth century

    The Bargate

    Above Bar, Southampton·Medieval gatehouse

    The twelfth-century gatehouse that was the main way into medieval Southampton.

    Explore View on map

  3. Since 1912

    Tudor House & Garden

    Bugle Street, Southampton·Historic house and museum

    Southampton’s oldest museum: a late-fifteenth-century timber-framed house with a Norman ruin in its garden.

    Bugle Street, Southampton SO14 2ADExplore View on map

  4. English Heritage

    Medieval Merchant’s House

    French Street, Southampton·Medieval house

    One of the oldest merchant’s houses in England, begun in about 1290 by a wine merchant.

    58 French Street, Southampton SO14 2ATExplore View on map

  5. English Heritage

    Netley Abbey

    Netley, near Southampton·Abbey ruin

    The most complete Cistercian abbey in southern England, by Southampton Water.

    Explore View on map

  6. 1620

    The Mayflower Memorial

    Western Esplanade, Southampton·Memorial

    The column on Western Esplanade that marks the sailing of the Pilgrim Fathers in 1620.

    Explore View on map

Arts & Culture

  1. Southampton’s Titanic Story

    SeaCity Museum

    Civic Centre, Southampton·Museum

    The city’s maritime museum, home to Southampton’s Titanic Story and the Crew Wall.

    Explore View on map

  2. Touring shows

    Mayflower Theatre

    Commercial Road, Southampton·Theatre

    Southampton’s big theatre on Commercial Road, for touring musicals, ballet, opera and comedy.

    Commercial Road, Southampton SO15 1GEExplore View on map

  3. Built after 1338

    God’s House Tower

    Winkle Street, Southampton·Arts and heritage venue

    A medieval gun tower turned arts and heritage venue, at the corner of the Old Town walls.

    Winkle Street, Southampton SO14 2NYExplore View on map

  4. Classical, jazz, folk

    Turner Sims

    University of Southampton, Highfield·Concert hall

    The university’s concert hall: more than 70 classical, jazz, world and folk concerts a year.

    Explore View on map

Cinema

  1. Picturehouse

    Harbour Lights Picturehouse

    Ocean Village, Southampton·Independent cinema

    A two-screen cinema and bar overlooking the harbour at Ocean Village.

    Explore View on map

  2. Ten screens

    Showcase Cinema de Lux Southampton

    Westquay, Southampton·Cinema

    A ten-screen cinema at Westquay South, with recliner seats and Dolby Atmos in every screen.

    Westquay South, Southampton SO15 1DEExplore View on map

Parks and gardens

  1. Over 365 acres

    Southampton Common

    The Avenue, Southampton·Common

    The city’s great green space: more than 365 acres of woods, grassland, ponds and a wildlife centre.

    Explore View on map

  2. Eastleigh Borough Council

    Itchen Valley Country Park

    Allington Lane, West End·Country park

    Water meadows and woods along the River Itchen, on the city’s north-eastern edge, with a Go Ape course.

    Allington Lane, West End, Southampton SO30 3HQExplore View on map

Walks

  1. More than a mile

    Walk the medieval town walls

    Old Town, Southampton·Self-guided walk

    A loop of more than a mile around one of England’s best-preserved medieval town walls.

    Explore View on map

Shopping

  1. Shops, food and cinema

    Westquay

    Southampton city centre·Shopping centre

    Southampton’s big shopping centre, from high-street brands to luxury watches, with restaurants and a cinema.

    Explore View on map

  2. Independent quarter

    Bedford Place

    North of the city centre·Shopping street

    Southampton’s creative quarter: boutiques, florists, barbers, cafés and bars just north of the centre.

    Explore View on map

  3. Shops and independents

    The Marlands Shopping Centre

    Civic Centre Road, Southampton·Shopping centre

    A 220,000 sq ft shopping centre by the Civic Centre, mixing high-street names and independents.

    Civic Centre Road, Southampton SO14 7SJExplore View on map

Property

  1. Marina living

    Ocean Village

    Southampton·Neighbourhood

    Waterfront apartments around the marina, with the Harbour Hotel, Harbour Lights cinema and restaurants on the quays.

    Explore View on map

  2. Inside the walls

    The Old Town

    Southampton·Neighbourhood

    Homes inside the medieval walls, around Bugle Street, French Street and the High Street.

    Explore View on map

  3. The university quarter

    Portswood and Highfield

    Southampton·Neighbourhood

    The streets around the University of Southampton’s Highfield campus, near the Common.

    Explore View on map

Getting there and around

  1. Red Jet and car ferry

    Red Funnel to the Isle of Wight

    Town Quay, Southampton·Ferry

    More than 35 crossings a day from Town Quay to Cowes: Red Jet for foot passengers, car ferries for drivers.

    Town Quay, Southampton SO14 2JYExplore View on map

  2. Flights from the doorstep

    Southampton Airport

    Eastleigh·Airport

    The city’s airport, north of the centre, with its own railway station.

    Explore View on map

Share your Southampton tips

Been there? Share your experience and tips with other visitors.

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