Southampton Attractions
The port of Southampton, which has almost amalgamated with Portsmouth into a conurbation, lies on a peninsula between the mouths of the River Test in the west and the River Itchen in the east.
Netley Abbey
At Netley (3mi/5km southeast of Southampton; pop. 2,300) are the beautifully situated ruins of Netley Abbey, a Cistercian house founded in 1239. The surviving buildings are mainly Early English.
Ocean Village
East of Southampton's old town the old dockland site of Princess Alexandra Dock has been transformed into a modern leisure and shopping center. Smart yachts and the "SS Shieldhall", the last steam-driven freighter, are moored in the harbor in front of Canute's Pavilion with its designer boutiques, gourmet restaurants and market halls.
Tudor House Museum
The magnificent Tudor house in Southampton's St Michael's Square was built in the 16th century for a wealthy merchant family. Now a museum, it displays exhibits from the Victorian and Edwardian eras, as well as periodic exhibitions about local history.
Andover, England
(Near Southampton)
Andover (pop. 31,006) is an ancient town located on the Anton River 22mi/35km north of Southampton. Watermills were an important part of Andover history, Rooksbury Mill is one of the few still in existence. It was completed in the 17th century and restored in 2003.
Andover - Finkley Down Farm Park
Finkley Down Farm Park in Andover has variety of farm animals and poultry which can be stroked and petted. The farm caters to families with a children's playground and plenty of space for picnics.
Hours
March 16 to November 2
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
Parking
Free
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
Bargate
High Street leads north from the bank of the Test to the modern town center of Southampton. Bargate, at the north end of the street and surrounded on both sides by the shopping center of the same name, houses a small town museum.
Duke of Wellington Pub
Those in need of a rest should visit the Duke of Wellington pub. One of the last Tudor half-timbered houses, it is now a popular meeting place.
Eastleigh, England
(Near Southampton)
Eastleigh (pop. 103,200) is located 6mi/10km northeast of Southampton. The town has been an ever expanding community for residents as well as commercial opportunities. The Eastleigh Museum is located on High Street with exhibits highlighting the town and surrounding areas.
Eastleigh Tourist Office
Town Hall Centre
Leigh Road
Eastleigh SO50 4DE
England
Town Hall Centre
Leigh Road
Eastleigh SO50 4DE
England
Eastleigh - Town Hall
The town hall in Eastleigh is very interesting. The Victorian building has been refurbished and is located next to the Dancing Garden.
Fawley, England
(Near Southampton)
Fawley is located on the west side of Southampton Water south of Southampton. Fawley is the site of an oil refinery and power station.
Fawley - Calshot Castle
Calshot Castle, near Southampton, was once one of Henry VIII's coastal defenses. The fort houses an exhibition and recreated pre-WWI barrack room. There is also a photographic Spitfire exhibition and exhibits of RAF Calshot and other military aircraft. Excellent views of Solent from the roof.
Gleneagles Equestrian Centre
Gleneagles Equestrian Centre offers year-round instruction in riding, jumping, forestry and bridlepath hacking and livery. For those not interested in lessons, there are whole, half-day and hour-long rides.
Gleneagles Equestrian Centre
Allington Lane
West End
Southampton SO30 3HQ
England
Allington Lane
West End
Southampton SO30 3HQ
England
Facilities
On-site accomodations
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
God's House
God's House in Southampton's Winkle Street was founded in the 12th century as a hospital dedicated to St Julian and was restored in the 19th century.
God's House Tower Museum
The archeological museum in 15th century God's House Tower in Town Quay explains the history of Southampton from the time of the Roman clausentum via the Anglo-Saxon hamlet to medieval times.
God's House Tower Museum / The Museum of Archeology / Maritime Museum
Winkle Street
Southampton SO1 1LX
England
Winkle Street
Southampton SO1 1LX
England
Hours
January 1 to December 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 14:00 |
| Close | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 16:00 | 12:00 | |
| Open | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Facilities
Gift shop
Hall of Aviation
Near the Ocean Village, in Albert Road South, the history of aviation in Southampton is told with the help of models, planes and photographs. Showpieces of the exhibition are the "Sandringham" flying boat and one of the Supermarine racing seaplanes which won the Schneider Trophy during the early 1930s. The Spitfire evolved from these aircraft.
Southampton Hall of Aviation
Albert Road South
Royal Crescent
Southampton SO1 1FR
England
Albert Road South
Royal Crescent
Southampton SO1 1FR
England
Hours
January 1 to December 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
New Year's Eve (December 31)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
New Year's Eve (December 31)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Gift shop
Ludgershall Castle and Cross
Ludgershall Castle and Cross are the ruins of an early 12th C royal hunting palace and medieval cross.
Maritime Museum
Near Wool House in Southampton is the Maritime Museum, with its extensive collection relating to the history of the port, including a model of the docks in the 1930s.
God's House Tower Museum / The Museum of Archeology / Maritime Museum
Winkle Street
Southampton SO1 1LX
England
Winkle Street
Southampton SO1 1LX
England
Hours
January 1 to December 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 14:00 |
| Close | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 16:00 | 12:00 | |
| Open | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Disabled
Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Gift shop
Mayflower Park
Follow the Southampton town walls south to reach Mayflower Park, which lies opposite the Mayflower Memorial to the Pilgrim Fathers.
Medieval Merchant's House
This 13th C town house built by John Fortin, a merchant who traded with others, is filled with period furniture and wall hangings.
All values are in local currency
Medieval Merchant's House
58 French Street
Southampton
England
58 French Street
Southampton
England
Hours
March 21 to September 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 12:00 |
| Close | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
| Adult | 3.70 |
| Concession or reduced rate | 3.00 |
| Child | 1.90 |
| Child 5 & under | FREE |
Guides
Taped tours for rent.
Facilities
Gift shop
Spitfire Museum (closed)
ATTRACTION IS CLOSED.
The museum to the west of Southampton's Civic Center, in King's Bridge Lane, is dedicated to the airplane designer R. J. Mitchell, who constructed the Spitfire and the S6 Seaplane.
The museum to the west of Southampton's Civic Center, in King's Bridge Lane, is dedicated to the airplane designer R. J. Mitchell, who constructed the Spitfire and the S6 Seaplane.
St Michael's Church
The only remaining medieval church in Southampton is St Michael's, which stands on Castle Way parallel to the esplanade. Dating from 1070, the church contains Norman relics and a font made of Tournai marble.
Titanic Memorial
From the Spitfire Museum continue through the pedestrian precinct Above Bar to its northern end to reach the memorial to the luxury liner the "Titanic", which sank on its first voyage in 1912 after colliding with an iceberg.
Titanic Trail
The Titanic departed from a Southampton Port on her doomed maiden voyage. Following the Titanic Trail through downtown Southampton you will visit sites and memorials commemorating the great tragedy.
Town Walls
The best view of the remains of the 14th century medieval town walls of Southampton is obtained from the Western Esplanade, also the site of Wind Whistle Tower.
Wool House
From Southampton's Mayflower Park continue a short distance further along Bugle Street to find the Wool House, a 14th century warehouse.
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