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Southampton Top Attractions
If you’re on a pre or post cruise stay, doing a back-to-back, or just visiting Southampton for the day, this city has so many hidden gems to discover! We were blown away by how much there is to do. Even some locals had no idea of the not so hidden treasures that lie on their doorstep. Here are our must-visit spots in Southampton, each with a unique experience that goes way beyond what you might expect.
SeaCity Museum: Dive Into Titanic History
Our first stop was Southampton’s SeaCity Museum, where you’ll step right into the heart of the Titanic story. This interactive museum brings Southampton’s connection to the Titanic to life through fascinating exhibits and artefacts. It’s a truly moving experience, giving you insight into the city’s past as well as the stories of those who were on board. And there’s so much more!
The museum also showcases Southampton’s history from Roman traders to WWII. Give yourself some time here we could have spent hours just looking a the fascinating exhibits.
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Southampton City Art Gallery
Located next door to the SeaCity Museum and in the same building as the city’s library is Southampton City Art Gallery. This was an unexpected gem and the best part? It’s free!
With over 5,000 pieces ranging from Renaissance art to contemporary masterpieces, there’s something here for every art lover. There are also frequently changing visiting exhibitions, so there’s always something new to see. Also located here are free toilets.
Southampton City Art Gallery Website
Stakks Pancakes: Lunch Heaven
For a delicious lunch, we stopped at Stakks in The Marlands Centre—a pancake paradise! Stakks serves up the fluffiest, most indulgent pancakes with a variety of sweet and savory toppings that made us fall in love at first bite. Whether you’re a die-hard pancake fan or just craving something comforting, this spot is a must-visit.
Tudor House and Garden: Step Back in Time
In the afternoon, we explored the city’s oldest museum, the Tudor House and Garden. This historical gem immerses you in centuries past, with fascinating displays that highlight the lives of Southampton’s former residents. We particularly loved the immersive introduction in the houses great hall hosted by haunting voices of the past.
Wander the beautiful gardens, carefully designed to capture the essence of Tudor ornamental style, and don’t miss the cafe for some tasty treats! Also don’t forget to have a chat with the staff here. They are very friendly and knowledgeable.
Tudor House and Garden Website
God's House Tower: History with a View
Our final must visit is God's House Tower, with its rich history and fascinating exhibits it’s a great place to visit.
We found GHT to be an example of how to do local history in a modern and engaging way. With interactive displays. There is also a great cafe and some interesting toilets in here.
Top tip - It’s also the place nearest to Ocean Terminal Cruise Terminal. For those who love to ship spot you can get great views from the roof.
White Star Tavern
During our time in Southampton we stayed at the fantastic White Star Tavern. Located in the bustling Oxford street it’s super convenient for exploring the city as well as embarking on your cruise.
The White Star Tavern in Southampton has a rich maritime history tied to the city’s seafaring heritage. Established in the early 1900s, the tavern was a popular spot for crew members and passengers of White Star Line ships, including the RMS Titanic, which departed from Southampton in 1912. The tavern served as a place of relaxation and camaraderie for sailors and travellers. Today, it honours this legacy with historic decor and a warm atmosphere, celebrating its connection to Southampton's maritime past.
Not only are the rooms extremely comfortable and the food delicious but the hotel is packed with nautical memorabilia. The White Star Tavern is a public house and restaurant and is open to the general public.
Southampton
Southampton has so much to offer, and we’d gladly do this trip all over again! If you’re planning to explore more of the city, check out Visit Southampton for even more ideas.
To find out more information about the attractions we visited and so much more take a look at Visit Southampton.
DISCLAIMER- We were invited to explore the attractions by Visit Southampton. Dispite being invited we have full control over sharing our opinions and what has been written. Overall Southampton surprised us and we would absolutely visit these attractions again.
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