Destination guides > Europe > England > Southeast England > Hampshire > Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is a modern city that few tourists make the effort to visit. It was bombed heavily during World War II destroying many of the older buildings however remnants of the medieval city remain.
Practical information
Southampton Tourist Information Centre
9 Civic Centre Road, Southampton
Tel (023) 8083 3333
Website www.visit-southampton.co.uk
Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm
Coming & going
AIR
Southampton Airport is just north of the city and has charter flights to many of the more popular European holiday destinations. The airport is easily accessible with direct train connections from London and Southampton and bus 101 runs between the airport and the city centre.
BUS & COACH
National Express (tel 0870 580 8080) runs buses to Birmingham, Bournemouth and London. One of Greyhound's first UK routes runs between London and Southampton. Megabus also have buses to London and First, Stagecoach and Wilts & Dorset run buses to destinations in Hampshire and neighbouring counties.
The Explorer ticket is a great value pass that gives you one day unlimited bus travel in Wiltshire and parts of Dorset and Hampshire for just £7.50. This pass will take you as far as Bristol, Bath, Bournemouth and Winchester and is ideal if you're making a day trip into the countryside or if you want to go to Bath or Bristol with a stop en route.
FERRY
Red Funnel ferries sail between Southampton and Cowes on the Isle of Wight. There are two ferry services: the fast ferry to West Cowes and the slower car ferry to East Cowes. A day return on either ferry costs £12.90.
TRAIN
South West Trains has trains from Southampton to Brighton, Bristol, London (Waterloo station) and Weymouth. You can often get cheaper tickets on fares to and from London if you book in advance through Megatrain. The station is on Blechynden Terrace west of the centre.
Local transport
Solent Transport co-ordinates southern Hampshire's public transport, which includes a bus and train network. A tram network is planned for the future.
The Solent Travelcard is good for unlimited travel on all bus routes across southern Hampshire, including Portsmouth and Southampton. This pass costs £6.50 a day or £25 a week.
Hostel accommodation
There are no hostels in Southampton; the closest hostels are in Portsmouth.
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
God's House Tower Museum of Archaeology
This 13th century gatehouse originally stood at the southeast corner of the medieval city walls and now houses the city's museum of archaeology. The museum's displays depict Southampton's history with galleries dedicated to the Roman, Saxon and Medieval periods.
Town Quay, Southampton
Tel (023) 8033 9601
Admission free
Open Jan-Mar Tue-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-noon & 1pm-4pm, Sun 1pm-4pm; Apr-Oct Tue-Fri 10am-noon & 1pm-5pm, Sat 10am-noon & 1pm-4pm, Sun 2pm-5pm; Nov-Dec Tue-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-noon & 1pm-4pm, Sun 1pm-4pm
Medieval Merchant's House
The Medieval Merchant's House is one of the oldest buildings of its kind in England.
58 French Street, Southampton
Tel (023) 8022 1503
Admission £3.70
Open Apr-Sep 10am-5pm daily
Southampton Maritime Museum
Southampton was Titanic's home port and most of the ship's crew came from here. One of the museum's highlights is its Titanic gallery, which portrays this famous ship with artefacts and stories from local people who were affected by the tragedy. There are also exhibits about many of the other ocean liners that sailed from Southampton.
Bugle Street, Town Quay, Southampton
Tel (023) 8063 5904
Admission £2
Open Jan-Mar Tue-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-1pm & 2pm-4pm, Sun 1pm-4pm; Apr-Oct Tue-Fri 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm, Sat 10am-1pm & 2pm-4pm, Sun 2pm-5pm; Nov Tue-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-1pm & 2pm-4pm, Sun 1pm-4pm
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