Things to see in Southampton
Attractions
Medieval Merchants' House
Owned and run by English Heritage, this is one of the earliest surviving merchants' houses in England. All the furniture has been authentically recreated and visitors are able to get a glimpse of what life was like for a prosperous wine merchant, John Fortin, who lived in the house with his family over 700 years ago.
Address: , 58 French Street, Southampton, SO1 0ATTelephone: +44 370 333 1181.
Opening times:
Sun 1200-1700 (Mar-Sep).
Website: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/medieval-merchants-houseAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
St Mary's Football Stadium
With a capacity of 32,505, St Mary's is the largest football stadium in southern England outside of London. It has been home to Southampton football club since 2001 and hosts regular fixtures, especially during from August to May. The area gets extremely busy on match days, so plan to arrive well in advance.
Address: , Britannia Road, Southampton, SO14 5FPTelephone: +44 845 688 9448.
Opening times:
Dependent on match times.
Website: http://www.saintsfc.co.ukAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Mayflower Theatre
Culture vultures should definitely head to the Mayflower Theatre, the largest theatre in southern England. It opened in 1928 and puts on an impressive programme of musicals, ballet, traditional pantomime, opera and comedy acts.
Address: , 22-26 Commercial Road, Southampton, SO15 1GETelephone: +44 23 8071 1811.
Opening times:
Dependent on show times.
Website: http://www.mayflower.org.ukAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
SeaCity Museum
This central, family-focused museum opened in 2011 and brings Southampton's maritime history to life with a constantly evolving selection of exhibitions, events and activities. There's an education zone for children and a large range of artifacts from the city's maritime and archaeological archives.
Address: , Havelock Road, Southampton, SO14 7FYTelephone: +44 23 8083 4536.
Opening times:
Daily 1000-1700.
Website: http://www.seacitymuseum.co.ukAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Solent Sky (Hall of Aviation)
Southampton and the Solent played a pioneering role in aviation development, and it was here that the world's first seaplane was built. It was also the birthplace of the Spitfire fighter plane that has become so synonymous with WWII. This museum houses many historic planes and you can even sit at the controls of a jet fighter.
Address: , Albert Road South, Southampton, SO14 3FRTelephone: +44 23 8063 5830.
Opening times:
Tue-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1200-1700.
Website: http://www.solentskymuseum.orgAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Southampton City Art Gallery
The city's impressive art gallery is housed in an elegant art deco building in the heart of the Cultural Quarter and contains over 3,500 works of art spanning six centuries of European culture, with works from artists diverse as Gainsborough and Gilbert & George. It also has a stirring exhibition of 20th-century British art.
Address: , Civic Centre Road, Southampton, SO14 7LPTelephone: +44 23 8083 3007.
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 1000-1500, Sat 1000-1700.
Website: http://www.southampton.gov.uk/libraries-museums/art-galleryAdmission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre
Set in the southeast corner of Southampton Common, the Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre grounds are planted and managed as different wildlife habitats and it is a great place to learn about the different ecosystems. This is good for family visits and the perfect place to get away from the city centre and get back to nature.
Address: , Southampton Common, Southampton, SO15 7NNTelephone: +44 23 8067 1921.
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 1100-1500, Sun 1200-1600.
Website: http://www.southampton.gov.uk/people-places/parks-open-spaces/hawthornsAdmission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
New Forest Wildlife Park
Set across 10 hectares (25 acres) just outside the city, this thriving wildlife park offers the chance to see a huge range of species in their natural habitat. Watch otters at play, get up close and personal with several deer species, and let the kids loose in the adventure playgrounds.
Address: Longdown, Deerleap Lane, Ashurst, SO40 4UHTelephone: +44 23 8029 2408.
Opening times:
Mon-Sun 1000-1730 (summer), Mon-Sun 1000-1630 (winter).
Website: http://www.newforestwildlifepark.co.ukAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Woodmill Outdoor Activities Centre
This former mill claims to be the only outdoor activity centre in the UK that has access to four different types of water: a placid lake, the flowing River Itchen, a tidal estuary and high tide whitewater. This makes it a perfect place to learn how to kayak or canoe - but there are other fun activities on offer as well, including archery and climbing.
Address: , Woodmill Lane, Southampton, SO18 2JRTelephone: +44 23 8091 5744.
Opening times:
Mon-Sun 0900-1700.
Website: http://www.activenation.org.ukAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Royal Victoria Country Park
Once home to the biggest military hospital in the British Empire, this 81-hectare (200-acre) park on the outskirts of Southampton is a perfect picnicking spot. With a railway train, children's park areas and great views of the ships coming in and out of the port, it's also a popular place for families.
Address: , Netley Abbey, Southampton, SO31 5GATelephone: +44 23 8045 5157.
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours.
Website: http://www3.hants.gov.uk/rvcpAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
Southampton Tourist Information Centre
Address: , Civic Centre, Southampton, SO14 7LWTelephone: +44 23 8083 2664.
Opening times:
Mon-Tue 1000-1900, Wed 1000-1800, Thu 1000-1900, Fri 1000-1700, Sat 1000-1600.
Website: http://www.discoversouthampton.co.ukThe Tourist Information Point in Southampton Central Library is a good source of on-the-spot advice for visitors. There are also information points at SeaCity Museum in Havelock Road and at the Dancing Man Brewery.
