A Tasty Suggestion
In a city with a great maritime tradition, what better than to dine out with a nautical theme. P.O.S.H. (Port Out Starboard Home) (+44 (0) 2380 226 377) at 1 Queensway has a dining room decked out like a luxury liner! You might think you hate themed restaurants but this is one with style and pizzazz from the moment you enter via an authentic gangway. There is lots of polished woodwork as well as colonial style sofas and rugs and the staff are relaxed but very attentive. The food is described as British Colonial - so there is kedgeree, Indian Cottage Pie as well as more original Indian dishes. Good food and good fun.
www.posh-restaurant.com
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SEPTEMBER 12-21 2008: This event welcomes marine buyers from all over the world and injects some exciting activities to encourage attendance form the surrounding community, including Try A Boat, and water rescue scenes by the RNLI. For tickets and enquires please call +44 870 060 0246 www.southamptonboatshow.com
...and here are more great things to do and see in and around Southampton…
FROM OCTOBER 2008: Held on various dates throughout 2008 and 2009 the artists market at the Bargate monument provides visitors with the opportunity to buy artwork from local talented artists. To find out more visit www.southampton.gov.uk/
FEBRUARY 2008: Southampton celebrates the Chinese new year in style with a traditional Dian Jin ceremony at the Civic Centre. The celebrations continue through the city with a parade. To find out more go to www.southampton.gov.uk/
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Southampton's Wig Walk
Southampton is a place buzzing with events, some more unusual than others. Check out the latest fun-packed fundraiser, The Wig Walk, which will take place on July 1. The event has been organised to help take the stigma out of losing your hair through chemotherapy and will bring out crowds dressed in fun, positive wigs for a three kilometre walk on Southampton Common. The money raised by the event will go to the Marie Curie Foundation.
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There's little doubt about Southampton´s impressive maritime heritage, it's been a thriving international port since Saxon times and owes everything to the sea.
This is where King Canute believed he could command the sea to retreat, where Henry V sailed from the West Gate for the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, and where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail in the Mayflower for the New World, and the Queen Mary plied the route between England's south coast and New York in the golden age of transatlantic liners.
It's also where the Titanic set sail from for its ill-fated maiden voyage in 1912. Some 1,500 lives were lost and there was hardly a street in the town's dock communities untouched by the tragedy. You'll find monuments all over town honouring their memory.
Today Southampton is still the premier departure point for luxury cruises; trip-of-a-lifetime passengers set sail from here aboard some of the world's most magnificent ships - the QE2, Aurora, Oriana and the stately Queen Mary 2, the largest passenger liner ever built. There's probably more champagne in Southampton's waters than anywhere else on the UK coastline!
The city has also hosted some of the world´s most prestigious yacht races and hosts one of the largest on-water boat shows each September, but not everything here revolves around water. The city's Old Town still retains a medieval air and large parts of Southampton's castellated walls remain intact. The Tudor House Museum is definitely worth a look while the Art Gallery spans six centuries of European art with over 3,500 works. Then there's the Museum of Archaeology, Maritime Museum and a unique Oral History Unit recording the memories of local people.
If the city centre doesn't quite have the romance of other provincial towns, just be glad it's still there, it was hastily rebuilt after World War Two bombing. The centre is now largely a modern city with a huge variety of shops, plenty of nightlife including lots of top name live bands, and every conceivable international cuisine you could ask for.
Further afield, Flybe's south-western hub is the gateway to Hampshire's gentle landscape, dotted with chocolate box villages, the New Forest, historical and cultural attractions, stately homes and gardens and, along the coast, lovely beaches
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After breakfast stroll down to Mayflower Park for a look at the Pilgrim Fathers' Memorial and then, at 10.30am take the free guided walk of the Old Town organised by the tourist office (+44 (0) 2380 221106), which leaves from Bargate. Only about half of the one-mile circuit that originally protected the town still survives, but it gives you an insight into both the town's history and lay-out.
Head over to Bugle Street to visit the Southampton Maritime Museum, a fascinating yet sombre look at the wealth of memorabilia relating to the Titanic but also the many models and items of furniture from the age of the great clippers and cruise ships.
Stop for lunch at one of the town's many historic pubs, the Duke of Wellington (also in Bugle Street) would be an interesting choice, built on top of 12th century vaults.
Take advantage of the free entry to the City Art Gallery and have a look at just some of the 3,500 artworks spread over the past 600 years, housed in an impressive 1930s building.
Then enjoy an hour or two shopping, perhaps browsing around the Old Northam Road district, the ideal spot for antique or souvenir hunting. For evening entertainment, you're spoilt for choice. Pick from the packed programme at the Guild Hall, or let your hair down at Ikon Diva or one of the other cutting edge clubs. Then again, you might just like to watch the sun with a quiet drink at the water's edge.
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No shortage of places to stay here from five-star luxury to seafront bed and breakfasts. However, with the influx of cruise ships, Royal Navy crew spilling over from Portsmouth and a calendar of international events, it means booking ahead is essential, particularly when the Boat Show is on mid-September.
At the top end of accommodation, the de Vere Grand Harbour is a five-star hotel with rates from ?150 per night including buffet breakfast. Set in 176 acres of landscaped parkland golf course, the Botley Park Hotel offers 100 bedrooms and suites. Book these and others on +44 (0) 871 900 8297 or www.flybehotels.com
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By bus or coach: U1C bus to Southampton and Town Quay for the Isle of Wight every 15-20 minutes. ?1.20 fare any distance. www.uni-link.info
By car: Explore the city and the countryside in comfort and style at great prices! Get the best deal by checking Flybe's partner Avis for the best available car hire rates at www.flybe.com/avis
By rail: The terminal is less than 50 metres from Southampton Airport (Parkway) Station, with up to three trains every hour to London Waterloo and fast links to many InterCity destinations.
By road: The airport is located less than a mile from Junction 5 of the M27 motorway and is four miles from Southampton city centre. Contact Flybe's car rental partner Avis for the best available car hire rates. www.flybe.com/avis
By taxi: Airport Carz Southampton is located in the main concourse opposite the arrivals hall. For advance bookings: Tel: +44 (0) 23 8062 7100.
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Southampton benefits from excellent road, rail, sea and air services and an efficient city centre public transport system. First, Solent Blue Line, Wilts and Dorset, Unilink, Stagecoach and Tellings Golden Miller provide an extensive network in the centre and surrounding area to Eastleigh, Hedge End, Fareham, Portsmouth, Southsea, the New Forest and beyond.
Unilink, First Southampton and Solent Blue Line operate low-floor buses for easy access for disabled passengers.
The City Link, a free shuttle bus, runs around the centre covering the Southampton Central Station, West Quay Shopping Centre and Town Quay Ferry terminals, every 10 minutes daytime, every 30 minutes at night. A second free shuttle bus, the City Loop, runs north and east of the centre.
A new bus service to watch for is the
City Clipper providing a circular route around the city centre area including stops at the National Express Coach Station, the south side of the Central Rail Station, Solent Sky aviation museum, Ocean Village, Town Quay and The Quays Swimming and Diving Complex.
The Solent Travelcard allows unlimited travel on bus services in Southampton, Portsmouth and Eastleigh for ?5 per day, ?20 per week.
A high-speed passenger ferry sails to the Isle of Wight every half hour day and evening, operated by Red Funnel Ferries. White Horse Ferries sails passengers between Southampton and Hythe for access to the New Forest.
South West Trains links Southampton with London Waterloo, taking 1 hour 13 minutes. There?´s a good train network from Central station linking Southampton with other south coast towns.
www.southampton.gov.uk
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Whether you're after a quiet drink in an historic pub, a cocktail in a funky bar, the latest dance sounds or just want to shoot pool in a sports bar, Southampton is known for its nightlife and rises to the occasion.
For something quirky visit Café Sol, 61 Commercial Road, a stylish pub in a converted church. Play pool in the choir stalls or kick-back and relax in curvy upholstery below stained glass windows.
The Old Fat Cat, 166 Above Bar Street,
is a traditional English pub with fine Gothic detail; it's packed with punters and atmosphere and there's dancing at weekends.
For the largest dance venue in the whole of Southern England, head to Ikon Diva, West Quay Road, and choose from two dance floors, six bars and four towering video screens. Next door is Diva, which brings in the over 25s with classic disco numbers. Jumpin´Jaks, West Quay Road, pumps out loud music to flashing neon lights for dancing 'til dawn. Live bands take to the stage in Wednesday nights.
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Lying at the head of the Solent, Southampton peers out to sea but is surrounded by some of the country's prettiest landscape. Inland are wooded valleys, ruined abbeys and animal parks, along the shoreline are beaches galore and beside them, tiny villages and grand castles.
Just 14 miles north of Southampton is Winchester, one of the most historic of English cities, where Egbert was crowned king in 827 and his successor, Alfred the Great, held court until 899. It was at the monastery here that the Domesday Book started life. The Cathedral is a must, a great piece of Norman architecture with a breathtaking Gothic interior. Take a look at the 12th century Winchester Bible, left intact after Cromwell's troops ransacked the place in the 17th century. Behind the cathedral is the Close, a peaceful quarter of neat lawns and shrubberies housing the Deanery, Dome Alley and Cheyney Court. King's Gate is only one of two remaining from the original city wall. Winchester College is one of the country's oldest public (ie. private) schools and a marvellous building in its own right.
Alternatively, visit the historic Great Hall, all that remains of the city's Norman castle, or the City Museum which gives an insight into the town's past, while the City Mill, a working 18th century water mill and island garden, is a lovely glimpse of a bygone age.
West of Southampton is the New Forest, 145 square miles of open heath and woodland, famed for its wild ponies and acres of terrain for walking, biking, riding or camping. On the forest's edge is Paulton's Park, a family leisure park packed with rides and attractions. A steam railway and prize collection of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias are displayed at Exbury Gardens. Beaulieu, the stately home of the Montagu family is at the southern edge of the New Forest. Its Abbey ruins date back to 1204 but it's better known for a classic car collection at the National Motor Museum.
Or take a ferry across to the Isle of Wight and visit Queen Victoria's favourite residence, Osborne House, or Carisbrooke Castle where ill-fated Charles 1 was imprisoned.
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Southampton is a diverse city with lots going on in its property market. There are pretty well properties to meet all needs and some are quite a bargain. Prices vary depending on position. So you?´ll find a ?160,000 two-bedroom flat in one part of the city and ?140,000 two-bedroom house in another.
The south coast can be an expensive place to buy in, but compared with somewhere like Brighton and Hove (now the most expensive place per square metre to buy in the UK), Southampton is still worth a look for a reasonable bargain and sound investment.
Newest properties with marina views are of course the most expensive but they do all come with some fabulous views.
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The John Hansard Gallery: Created in 1980 at the University of Southampton, the gallery is reckoned to be one of the best places in the UK to see contemporary visual art, combining the university's fine art and an extensive photographic collection. In 1996 The Millais Gallery opened at the Southampton Institute to mark the death of the pre-Raphaelite painter, Sir John Everett Millais, born in the town in 1829.
www.hansardgallery.org.uk
Mayflower Park and the Pilgrim Fathers' Memorial: Located on the Western Esplanade, this is worth a visit to remember the sailing of the brave Pilgrim Fathers on the Mayflower from Southampton on August 15 1620. John Alden, the hero of Longfellow's poem, The Courtship of Miles Standish was Southampton-born.
The New Forest: England's newest National Park was actually established by William the Conqueror over 900 years ago. It is quintessentially English with miles of coastline, wide-open spaces and ancient woodlands, perfect for walking, riding and cycling. The area is easily accessible by air, with frequent flights to Southampton. As well as its natural beauty, the area is well served for quality accommodation, with hotels, guest houses, self-catering cottages and campsites. It offers something for every budget.
Top of the range hotels in the New Forest include Chewton Glen at New Milton, recently voted Best Hotel in the British Isles by readers of Condé Nast Traveler (USA), Westover Hall at Milford on Sea and the majestic Rhinefield House set in the heart of the forest. Among the most welcoming and attractive B&Bs are the cosy Cottage Hotel in Brockenhurst, and the quirky Nurse's Cottage at Sway, the former residence of the local District Nurses, which also has an award-winning restaurant. For lovers of pampering, several hotels offer superb spa facilities including Chewton Glen with a world-class spa, Carery's Manor with its SenSpa and the newly opened Bath House Spa at New Park Manor Hotel.
There is a fantastic choice of excellent restaurants in the area too, some with leading chefs, such as Shaun Hill, who is director of cooking at the Montagu Arms in Beaulieu, and Alex Aitken who cooks at Le Poussin at Whitley Ridge - a favourite of Gordon Ramsay. The New Forest also boasts many excellent small producers of fine food and drink - including chocolates, ice creams, cheese, cider and beer. There is a strong movement towards local produce, supported by Forest Friendly Farming, who recently introduced the New Forest Marque to identify the finest local produce.Visitor attractions are many and varied - some of the best known include the family theme park, Paulton's Park, Beaulieu Motor Museum, Abbey and Palace House as well as the beautiful old ship-building village of Buckler's Hard. There are also activity centres, farms and wonderful gardens to visit with many open all year round. To find out more about visiting the New Forest and to view all the latest events, go to www.thenewforest.co.uk
Southampton City Art Gallery: Housed in the Civic Centre on Commercial Road, the gallery is ideal for any age. Exhibitions and displays range from ancient culture to controversial modern pieces, spanning some 600 years with 3,500 works of European art. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, and Sunday 1pm-4pm. Admission free. +44 (0) 23 8083 2277
Southampton Maritime Museum: The museum on Bugle Street tells the story of the port and is home to the Titanic Exhibition where visitors can relive the tragic story of this famous ship. Models, mementos, photos, crew lists and memorabilia are all movingly displayed. Open Tuesday-Friday 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm, Saturday 10am-1pm and 2pm-4pm, and Sunday 2pm-5pm. Entry free. +44 (0) 23 8022 3941
The Solent Sky: Depicts the story of aviation in the Solent and how the Spitfire came into being in Southampton. Just a stone's throw from here is the Museum of Archaeology mapping out the town's history.
www.southampton.gov.uk
Tudor House Museum: Located on St Michael's Square, the museum is a 15th century customs controller's house complete with creaky floors and is one of the largest Tudor buildings still standing in the city. Visit the Great Hall with impressive gallery and fireplace, a recreated Victorian kitchen and lovely Tudor garden. Open Tuesday-Friday 10am-12noon and 1pm-5pm, Saturday 10am-12noon and 1pm-4pm, and Sunday 2pm-5pm. +44 (0) 23 8063 5904
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Southampton has the usual array of sports on offer throughout the city and since it is located on the south coast, it is well known for its watersports and country pursuits in the nearby New Forest.
Southampton Sports Centre in Bassett (+44 (0) 2380 796 693) has football, tennis and netball courts and visitors can also play volleyball, athletics, hockey, cricket and rounders. Southampton Municipal Golf Course has two well-established courses and up to 18 holes for both beginners and experienced golfers. www.southampton.gov.uk
Watersports: Southampton is a dream destination for yachting-types and messing about in boats is easily arranged. Head to the stunning marina for all things nautical. Sailing, windsurfing and kayaking are all popular activities and there are a number of harbour cruises available. Visit Southampton Water Activities Centre (+44 (0) 2380 915 753) for water sports and activity courses. Also worth a visit is the Rapids of Romsey (+44 (0) 1794 514 202) in nearby Romsey, which has wave machines, rapids, water cannons and slides galore. www.swac.co.uk
Fishing: Visitors can catch a variety of fish at Calshot Beach, including sole, bass, mullet and plaice, and during the summer, lots of black bream, wrasse and school bass. Also try Hythe's reclaimed land and Gypsy Lane at Lepe at the mouth of the Beaulieu River. For freshwater fishing, venture further inland to the River Itchen, the River Test and Woodmill Salmon Pool. www.southampton.gov.uk
Riding: The nearby New Forest is famed for its free-roaming wild ponies and for those who want to get active in the forest there are plenty of riding, cycling and walking trails that criss cross the heathland so you can get up close and personal with the area's wealth of wildlife. www.nfed.co.uk/riding.htm
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The Southampton area provides an excellent employment pool with Southampton University and New College on its doorstep and Portsmouth University and King Alfred's College Winchester within easy reach.
Aside from marine-related industries, Southampton has attracted massive investment from the fields of phototonics, electronics, telecommunications, computing, media and creative industries. It boasts a number of purpose-built business locations, Chilworth Business Incubator, Chilworth Science Park and Basepoint Business and Innovation Centre, to name a few.
If you?´re looking to expand business in the area, there are plenty of helpful organisations, contact Southampton and Fareham Chamber of Commerce, Bugle House, 53 Bugle Street, Southampton, Hants SO14 2LF. Tel: +44 (0) 23 8022 3541. Also try the European Information Centre for help in finding premises, business support and advice. The Enterprise Hub aims to encourage growth through the provision of support to entrepreneurs.
www.soton-chamber.co.uk
www.euro-info-centre.co.uk www.southamptonhub.com
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The city of Southampton has had no shortage of famous names passing through its streets. Apart from King Canute, who has a road named after him, history has provided a rich assortment of residents.
Jane Austen stayed here between 1806 and 1809, and way back in 1346 Edward, The Black Prince, left Southampton with the King's army for the campaign in France that led to the Battle of Crecy. A tower is named in his honour. Another former resident, General Gordon of Khartoum (the city in Sudan where he was killed in 1885) has a tomb in the Old Cemetery.
More recently, Emily Davies, campaigner for women´s education and founder of Girton College, Cambridge, lived here at the beginning of the 20th century. Roy Chadwick, designer of the Lancaster Bomber, also made it his home.
Songwriter Billy Reid, whose partner was Dorothy Squires, hailed from here - a plaque was recently unveiled in his honour by Southampton resident Danny La Rue. Television comedian Benny Hill was born and is buried here at Hollybrook Cemetery.
But perhaps the former resident remembered most often is the great hymn writer Isaac Watts. His hymn, beloved by sailors, O God Our Help in Ages Past can be heard everyday echoing out from the Civic Centre Clock Tower at 8am, 12 noon, 4pm and 8pm. A timely reminder “for those in peril on the sea.”
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