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The historic coastal city of Southampton welcomes visitors from around the world thanks to its famous international seaport – the port of choice for cruise liners from every corner of the globe.The city itself boasts a historic old town and two buzzing marinas where visitors can stay, shop, relax or just enjoy the sight of yachts and other vessels making ready to depart out into the Solent.An important trading port since 70 AD, Southampton came to be known as ‘The Gateway to the Empire’ during Victorian times. Nowadays the city retains its multicultural vibe, thanks to its world-class university and modern port which attracts super cruise liners from all over the world.Southampton’s sheltered coastal location gives it an excellent climate which helps it to draw holidaymakers. Tourists are also often attracted by its proximity to the New Forest and historic sights which include the longest surviving stretch of medieval walls in any city in England.
Ranked as the 20th busiest airport in the UK, Southampton Airport is small yet significant thanks to its proximity to one of the busiest seaports in Europe.
Reputedly built on the site of a substantial Roman villa, the airport has historic links with the legendary Spitfire and was used as a US Naval base during the First World War. Nowadays it’s a bustling site with cutting edge facilities thanks to a recent £3m re-development of passenger facilities which was completed in 2010.
Destinations and airlines
Southampton Airport currently serves around 50 European destinations via 12 or so airlines. These range from low budget carriers like Flybe to leading tour operators such as Thomson and First Choice.
Current direct links include domestic services to Aberdeen, Newcastle and Belfast, and international flights to the likes of Amsterdam, Brussels and Malaga.
Airport facilities
Thanks to significant recent investment in Southampton Airport’s passenger terminal, it now offers travellers a great place to relax ahead of a flight. Current facilities and services include, executive lounges, Wi-Fi internet access, bureaux de change, baby change facilities, and great opportunities to shop and eat.
In terms of grabbing a quick snack or sitting down to something proper, Southampton Airport offers a good choice of cafes and restaurants. If you’re hungry, try Mitchell’s Kitchen & Bar or Costa for starters.
Shoppers on the other hand, should make their way to World Duty Free for treats and gifts, or WH Smith for travel essentials such as magazines, books or plug adaptors.
Transport links
If you’re planning to bring your car to Southampton Airport, you’ll be relieved to know that it’s easily accessible by road, via the M27 junction 5 or A34. Drivers coming directly from the centre of Southampton should take the A335 and follow signs for Eastleigh and the Airport.
Southampton Airport also boasts its own train station, making it very handy for those reliant on public transport. The station - known as Southampton Airport Parkway - offers direct links with London Waterloo, Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Winchester, Reading and Oxford.
If you prefer to get to the airport by bus, there is a direct bus service - U1C - which links the city centre with the airport, and which departs every 15 minutes. Southampton also has a National Express Coach Station which connects the city with a wide range of destinations around Britain.
Airport Parking at Southampton Airport is available in a range of packages, from park and fly deals based in the airport’s own short and long-stay car parks, to luxury meet and greet parking provided by national brands like Stress Free Parking. Browse and book your Southampton Airport parking now.
To ensure the quality of your parking provider, always look for the UK Park Mark accreditation, which is proof that a car park is secure and reliable.
If you’re planning to catch an early flight from Southampton, why not book into one of the Southampton airport hotels located on or around the airport site? You’ll be glad you did when it comes to catching your flight!
The Port of Southampton is the UK’s busiest cruise terminal and the second largest British container port. Every year it handles more than 42 million tonnes of cargo which make up seven percent of the UK’s total seaborne trade.
The port is widely recognised as the UK’s leading cruise terminal with thousands of majestic cruiseliners calling in at Southampton each year. Home to P&O and Cunard, Southampton also regularly plays host to liners from Royal Caribbean, Fred Olsen and Saga, and is continuing to attract more business each year thanks to its superbly equipped terminals.
If you’re starting your cruise at Southampton, you’ll want to know that your car is in safe hands while you’re away – particularly if you’re planning to be abroad for a prolonged period. Fortunately, you can now search and book secure Southampton Port parking online, browsing and comparing the best deals with trusted suppliers for your dates of travel.
It’s also now possible to book Meet and Greet parking at Southampton Port which can save you time and hassle. On the day you sail, simply drive up to the terminal where you’ll be met by a trained chauffeur. As you hop out, grab your luggage and take the short walk into the departure terminal, the chauffeur will transfer your vehicle to a secure compound.
If you’re looking for something luxurious in the hotel line when you visit Southampton, try Ennios Boutique Hotel on Town Quay Road. With only five individually-designed rooms available you’ll find Ennios do the personal touch very well. Their well-known restaurant is also very very good.
A little out of Southampton on the fringes of the New Forest is the stylish chic Hotel TerraVina – also great if you’re looking for somewhere special to stay. Created by the people who dreamt up Hotel du Vin, TerraVina is a paradise for lovers of wine, wonderful food and well-appointed rooms.
In the mid-price category, but equally good are the Elizabeth House Hotel on The Avenue, the Premier Inn in Southampton city centre, and The Avenue Bed and Breakfast.
If you’re looking to do Southampton on a shoestring however, you should head to the cheap and cheerful Brimar Guest House in Totton.
For a premier dining experience in Southampton, why not try destination restaurant Vatika? Prized for its idyllic setting and Michelin starred cuisine, if you’re looking for somewhere extraordinary to eat in Hampshire, you won’t be disappointed.
Similarly excellent is the Terrace Restaurant at the Montagu Arms. Again, just a little outside Southampton, it offers visitors the chance to sample Michelin starred cooking in a beautiful period setting.
For good quality fodder in the city itself, you might want to head to Kali Mirchi on Shirley High Street, the unpretentious Dock o’ the Bay on The Avenue or purveyors of gourmet Italian food Ennios.
Take a stroll around Southampton’s historic old town and you’ll discover the secrets of its past from its role as a bustling port in medieval times to its reinvention as a spa town in the 19th century. One of the best ways to uncover its history is by stopping off at some of its wonderful museums - choose from the Museum of Archeology, the Maritime Museum, the Medieval Merchants House and the Tudor House Museum and Garden to name but a few.
If it’s a nice day, you might also like to take a wander in one of Southampton’s seven central parks, which feature traditional bandstands, rose gardens, fountains and sculptures among other things. One of the most popular green spaces is The Common, located just a short walk from the city centre, and designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest thanks to its flowers, plants and animals.
If you’re drawn to the maritime side of Southampton, it’s also worth paying the city’s two marinas a visit. Ocean Village Marina is a bustling destination surrounded by pubs, restaurants, bars and cinemas. It’s also home to the historic Royal Southampton Yacht Club.
Town Quay Marina meanwhile has just undergone a major refurbishment to bring it bang up to date. With its own share of places to eat, drink and make merry just a short walk away in Southampton’s Cultural Quarter, it makes a pleasant place to while away an afternoon watching the boats head out to sea.
With its roots as an international trading port, Southampton has always been a great place to browse and buy goods of all kinds.
Nowadays there’s an eclectic mix of designer shops, markets and small independent stores, making for an interesting shopping experience - something which is set to improve further as the regeneration of Southampton’s main shopping districts nears completion.
If you’re after big high street names, head to West Quay where you’ll find the likes of M&S, John Lewis, Next and Gap. For more independent, unusual or upmarket retailers, try the area around Bedford Place. Dubbed ‘the last bastion of small independent retailers’, Bedford Place has a quirky, laid-back feel about it and the area makes for a fun afternoon’s browsing.
For bargains and antiques try the shops on Old Northam Road or Bargate Market.
Nightlife In Southampton
If you’re looking for a big night out in Southampton, head down to the area around Ocean Village Marina where you’ll discover a whole host of bars, restaurants and other nightspots. Just off West Quay Road, you’ll also find the mammoth leisure complex Leisure World, which houses the nightclub Ikon and Diva, along with numerous bars, a casino and a 13-screen cinema.
The area around Bedford Place is also very buzzy without being quite so mainstream if you’re looking for a bar or restaurant with a little more soul. Southampton’s also got its fair share of historic pubs – if you’d like to soak up a little history with your pint, try The Duke of Wellington or The Old Farmhouse.