Southampton. I do know what you’re considering: isn’t that the place you go to hitch a cruise? Sure, greater than one million individuals embark on cruise ships from this UK waterfront metropolis yearly, however it’s also a vacation spot in itself. I lived and labored in and across the metropolis for years, so have loads of suggestions on sights to see and issues to do in Southampton with children.
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Discover extra days out in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Eire in my huge spherical up of 101 UK sights for households.
Why go to Southampton?
Southampton is a good household vacation spot with quite a few sights and actions.
The SeaCity Museum, Tudor Home, and Alpine Sports activities Centre are some must-see locations for households.
Households can even take pleasure in free actions like visiting Southampton Metropolis Artwork Gallery and exploring the town partitions.
Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World supply thrilling theme park experiences for youthful youngsters.
For a wet day, households can go to Mayflower Theatre, Flip Out, or catch a movie in one of many native cinemas.
Attending to Southampton
Southampton is a extremely well-connected metropolis. Right here’s the totally different choices for travelling there:
Prepare: there are direct trains from London, Bournemouth, Birmingham, Manchester and different giant UK cities, so you’ll be able to go away the automobile at dwelling.
Automotive: in case you are driving you will discover Southampton off the M27. There are a number of junctions relying on the place you space travelling from. Discover metropolis centre automobile parks on the council’s web site or you’ll be able to guide privately owned parking spots utilizing JustPark.
Coach: FLiXBUS supply a coach service from London Victoria to Southampton Central. Nationwide Categorical can droip you in from London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Bournemouth.
Air: Southampton has its personal worldwide airport on the outskirts of the town. This immediately hyperlinks it with locations together with Belfast and Glasgow within the UK and Spain, Portugal and France in Europe.
Southampton sights for households
Hampshire’s largest metropolis has historic sights, enjoyable household days out, open areas and nice purchasing.
Right here’s those I can suggest trying out whether or not you’re visiting for a day forward of becoming a member of a cruise or you have got booked a UK metropolis break right here on the south coast of England:
1. SeaCity Museum
This Southampton attraction is devoted to telling Southampton’s maritime story. Its focus is on the ill-fated RMS Titanic, which embarked from the docks on its maiden voyage with greater than 500 native residents onboard.
There’s loads of interactive shows and artefacts that can assist you discover the actual life tales behind this notorious maritime catastrophe.
My women significantly benefit from the ship simulator the place they get to play captain. There’s additionally plenty of attention-grabbing artefacts and ship fashions for Titanic and maritime lovers.
SeaCity additionally hosts touring exhibitions and is open seven days per week.
Discover out extra about visiting SeaCity Museum in Southampton.
2. Tudor Home and Gardens
That is Southampton’s most vital historic constructing with greater than 800 years of historical past on web site. Its story is advised by means of the lives of its totally different homeowners, from rich retailers to the overseers of the port.
There’s a household room with child-friendly actions, interactive shows and a youngsters’s audio information to assist convey the place alive. Tudor Home and Gardens are open Tuesday to Sunday.
Look out for weekend artwork actions and faculty vacation occasions. Final time I took my women they got here out with full painted faces.
Discover out extra about visiting on the Tudor Home Museum web site.
Obtained a Saints fan in your own home? A tour of St Mary’s Stadium might be proper up their road.
Three excursions can be found together with one the place you’ll be able to meet a Saints legend.
In fact, you may as well get tickets for a match!
Discover out extra about St Mary’s excursions.
4. Alpine Sports activities Centre
If your loved ones loves lively days out then the Alpine Sports activities Centre in Southampton has lots to select from.
Good your snowboarding abilities, have a go at snow boarding or profession down the dry ski slope in a donut – my child’s favorite factor to do right here. Off piste, there’s kayaking, a climbing wall and swimming.
Discover out extra about issues to do at Southampton’s Alpine Sports activities Centre.
5. Go to Solent Sky Museum
Southampton was the house to the primary flying boats and the place the Spitfire was constructed. This wealthy aviation historical past is captured by Solent Sky Museum.
It’s a must-visit attraction for anybody fascinated by plane and aviation.
Discover out extra about visiting Solent Sky Museum.
6. Itchen Valley Nation Park
In the event you’re after some recent air then Itchen Valley Nation Park is likely one of the high issues to do in Southampton with children. It has 440 acres of water meadows and woodlands to discover, in addition to an journey playground and loads of house for picnics.
The park rangers placed on common craft and exercise days geared toward households, in addition to a totem path for inquisitive children.
Discover out extra about visiting Itchen Valley Nation Park.
7. Go Ape at Itchen Valley Nation Park
Itchen Valley Nation Park can be dwelling to the Go Ape! Tree High Journey, which has a 193 zip wire – such nice enjoyable!
Itchen Valley County Park is open day by day. Entrance to the Park is free however parking fees apply. Go Ape! is open from February to November.
Examine our Go Ape! Journey at Itchen Valley Nation Park.
8. Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World
In case you are questioning if there’s a theme park close to Southampton, then look no additional than Paultons Park. It has greater than 70 thrill rides for teenagers, toddlers and infants.
There’s 5 themed worlds to discover in addition to a set of unique birds and animals.
Youthful relations won’t forgive you in the event you don’t enterprise into Peppa Pig World. This zone has rides for all ages that includes characters and tales that toddlers will know effectively from the TV collection.
Examine our go to to Paultons Park simply earlier than we moved to Devon.
Discover out extra about days out at Paultons Park.
Free issues to do with children in Southampton
Days out within the metropolis needn’t be costly. Right here’s a number of the issues to do in Southampton without cost:
9. Southampton Metropolis Artwork Gallery
This world famend gallery has a everlasting assortment of greater than 5,000 works from throughout eight centuries. There are month-to-month artwork golf equipment and common actions for households.
I spent many a lunch time searching the collections whereas working simply across the nook.
The Metropolis Artwork Gallery is open Monday to Saturday and is likely one of the free issues to do in Southampton.
Discover out extra about visiting Southampton Metropolis Artwork Gallery.
10. Discover the Metropolis Partitions and Bargate
Southampton’s outdated city partitions are the third longest stretch of unbroken Medieval wall in England and date again to 1180.
You’ll be able to take self-guided and guided walks from the 800-year-old Bargate, which was the doorway to the outdated city and now imposes over the town centre retailers.
11. Play at Mayflower Park
Southampton is stuffed with parks however Mayflower Park is value a particular point out due to its location overlooking the port.
It takes its title from the pilgrim ship, the Mayflower, that known as into Southampton earlier than making its voyage to America in 1620.
In the present day Mayflower Park is the perfect place to see a number of the world’s largest cruise liners whereas they’re berthed at Mayflower terminal. They actually appear like blocks of flats parked up alongside the harbour wall.
There’s additionally a stunning playground and cafe for choosing up that each one vital espresso whilst you supervise the youngsters on the play gear. Mayflower Park additionally hosts occasions and concert events through the yr.
Discover out extra about Mayflower Park.
12. Southampton Widespread
In case you are on the lookout for outside issues to do in Southampton with children then take a stroll on the Widespread. With 326 acres that is the most important of Southampton’s open areas and a delegated Web site of Particular Scientific Curiosity (SSSI).
The Hawthorns City Wildlife Centre tells guests all in regards to the native crops and wildlife. There’s additionally a big nature playground and water park.
A kiosk sells refreshments on the weekends and within the faculty holidays.
Discover out extra about Southampton Widespread.
13. Royal Victoria Nation Park
On the outskirts of Southampton is Royal Victoria Nation Park at Netley. It’s on the waterfront so is one other excellent spot to see the comings and goings of Southampton Port and the Solent from the shingle seaside.
There’s a great deal of house to kick a few ball and have a picnic. The nation park additionally has a mannequin railway, an accessible journey playground and cafe. These are my children’ favorite issues about visiting right here.
It’s additionally massively historic. Royal Victoria Hospital as soon as stood on the positioning. It was the primary army hospital of its sort and performed an important function in taking care of injured troops within the First and Second World Wars.
Within the Sixties it was devastated by fireplace. The one half that continues to be is Netley Chapel, which might have stood at its centre. You’ll be able to take a tour up the tower and discover out in regards to the hospital’s historical past in an exhibition within the chapel.
Entrance to the nation park is free however parking is chargeable.
Discover out extra about Royal Victoria Nation Park.
Household days out in Southampton when it rains
Right here’ some the place to go in Southampton when it’s moist:
14. See a present at Mayflower Theatre
Musicals and stay acts have been performing on this theatre’s 2,300 seat auditorium since 1928.
I noticed many a pantomime right here as a toddler. It’s additionally the place to see the entire touring West Finish exhibits, in addition to comedy, ballet and spin offs from widespread tv exhibits like Strictly Come Dancing.
Discover out what’s on on the Mayflower Theatre.
15. Flip Out Southampton
On the lookout for issues to do close to Southampton on a moist day? Let the youngsters burn off power at Flip Out Southampton, which is simply exterior the town at Eastleigh.
The wall-to-wall trampolines, with added foam pits and free operating zone, make for an thrilling few hours for the entire household.
For little ones there’s mushy play and devoted trampoline classes with a ball pit, foam pit and child bouncers.
Discover out extra about visiting Flip Out Southampton.
16. Catch a movie
Right here’s the place to search out our what’s on at Southampton’s cinema:
17. Go bowling
Right here’s the place to search out bowling in Southampton:
18. Comfortable play in Southampton
In the event you’re on the lookout for issues to do in Southampton with toddlers you then could be in want of this listing:
19. Store at West Quay
In case you are on the lookout for issues to do in Southampton with teenagers then they may completely love you for letting them free in West Quay.
This purchasing centre is 5 occasions the scale of a soccer stadium and is the place to buy in the event you’re after the large excessive road shops.
John Lewis, Marks and Spencer, Subsequent – they’re all right here in addition to designer manufacturers.
After I labored in Southampton I spent far too many lunchtimes right here.
Plan your purchasing spree at West Quay.
Issues to do close to Southampton
There’s much more enjoyable available round Southampton. Check out these different household sights in Hampshire:
20. Marwell Zoo
In case you are on the lookout for issues to do close to Southampton that contain animals, then make a journey to Marwell Zoo. It takes care of tons of of unique and endangered animals.
While you arrive, I’d suggest hopping on the land practice near the zoo entrance for trip across the park to get your bearings earlier than setting off on foot.
Once we final visited Marwell the tropical home had simply opened. It’s dwelling to butterflies, birds and reptiles. We additionally love seeing the penguins, giraffes and tigers.
If you wish to rise up shut with the capybaras, flamingos, pygmy hippos and white rhinos take the rail practice (additional cost).
In addition to the animals there are 5 journey playgrounds dotted round this 140 acre wildlife park.
You can too keep at Marwell’s resort, which places you only a minute’s stroll from the zoo entrance. It has household rooms with bunk beds.
Discover out extra about visiting Marwell Zoo.
21. Longdown Exercise Farm
Longdown Exercise Farm, which is on the fringe of the New Forest at Ashdown, has a full schedule of actions.
From hand-feeding calves and goats, to assembly child animals and tractor rides – there’s a spread of farmyard experiences.
You can too accumulate eggs freshly laid by the farm hens, feed the pigs, and say good day to the guinea pigs, rabbits, horses and geese.
Younger children can even love the indoor and outside play areas, small rides and faculty vacation occasions.
Discover out extra about Longdown Exercise Farm.
22. Calshot Citadel
This Tudor fort sits on a spit on the mouth of Southampton Water and was one of many defences put in place by King Henry VIII to protect this vital buying and selling metropolis.
Its ramparts have panoramic views of the South Coast, the Solent and Isle of Wight, which appears only a stones throw away at this level.
Contained in the Citadel you’ll be able to find out about its defensive function from Tudor occasions proper by means of to the twentieth Century. Climb the steep stairwells throughout the Maintain to find the troopers’ residing quarters and ascend to the roof the place you’ll discover the mount for 2 enormous weapons.
Discover out extra about Calshot Citadel.
23. Manor Farm
In case your children love visiting farms then a day at Manor Farm is a should. It’s a Victorian farm that has been preserved to offer guests a style of what it was prefer to work the land tons of of years in the past.
A number of the buildings have been relocated from different components of Hampshire, as have classic tractors and farming equipment.
Highlights embody seeing cows being milked within the parlour, assembly a number of the farm’s cuddly creatures and exploring the fifteenth Century farmhouse the place there’s a Victorian classroom.
Surrounding the farm you’ll discover the River Hamble Nation Park the place you’ll be able to picnic and play video games within the meadows or spot wildlife alongside the river financial institution stroll.
Examine our go to to Manor Farm with the youngsters.
The place to remain in Southampton
Planning a metropolis break in Southampton? There are many motels across the metropolis. Right here’s those that provide household rooms:
Room2 within the metropolis centre has rooms with beds for households of 4 to 5 with kitchenettes so it can save you prices on breakfast and easy meals.
The Vacation Inn West by the port is a good possibility in case you are spending a fe days in Southampton earlier than a cruise and has double rooms with couch mattress. There’s additionally a free scorching breakfast included
Novotel Southampton is true subsequent to the practice station and has double rooms with couch beds.
Have you ever visited Southampton in England? What was your favorite Southampton attraction?
Getting round in Southampton
Southampton’s metropolis centre is walkable with loads of signposts to widespread locations.
There are a number of bus firms with routes all through the town: Bluestar, Unilink, First Solent Rangers and Xelabus. The My Journey web site is admittedly helpful for planning journeys across the metropolis and figuring out which bus will get you there.
FAQs about visiting Southampton
Southampton Artwork Gallery, stroll the town partitions or discover Southampton Widespread.
Amongst Southampton’s claims to fame are its hyperlinks to the Titanic – lots of the crew got here from the town and it set off from Southampton port on 10 April 1912. Southampton can be well-known because the place the Spitfire was constructed, as the house of Southampton Soccer Membership and because the UK’s main cruise port.
Extra locations to go to within the South of England
If you need to time to discover additional than Southampton I’ve some extra guides that may assist plan your days out with children:
Discover extra days out in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Eire in my huge spherical up of 101 UK sights for households.
Planning your journey to this South Coast metropolis? Why not use Pinterest to avoid wasting this submit about issues to do in Southampton with children?
