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One Day in a City > Destinations > Europe > United Kingdom > One Day in Southampton, England Itinerary

One Day in Southampton, England Itinerary

July 20, 2021 By Gina
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Best Things to Do on a Southampton Day Trip

Looking for the top things to do in Southampton when short on time? This One Day in Southampton itinerary written by an expert has you covered. Find out the must-see sites plus the best places to stay near the city center and cruise terminal.
Marina in Southampton, England

Famed as the cruise capital of Europe, the English port city of Southampton is a wonderful place to spend a day.

While many tourists choose to extend their cruise holiday with a day ashore in Southampton, this is also a great place to visit for anyone looking for a fun day out or weekend away in the South of England.

In this guide, I’ll show you some of the best places to visit during a day in Southampton as well as some suggestions for where to stay overnight.

1-Day in Southampton Itinerary

Read on for all the top things to do in Southampton that you can’t miss out on during your day in the city.

Walk the QE2 Mile

QE2 Mile Sign Marker in Southampton

To start your day, I recommend that you head to Southampton’s QE2 Mile. Located in the heart of the city, this pedestrian-friendly route runs from the Cenotaph down to the waterfront.

Southampton’s High Street is lined with shops, restaurants and must-see places of interest such as the Titanic Memorial. Take your time as you stroll along this interesting street and you’ll find lots of historical sights to pique your interest.

Holy Rood Church is one of the top things to see during a day in Southampton.
Holy Rood Church

As you pass the ruins of the Holy Rood Church, which was bombed in WWII, take a moment to step inside and admire the remains of the 14th century architecture and the memorials to the sailors of the Merchant Navy.

Across from the church is a very interesting shop called Robin’s Nest, which is set inside an old bank. It’s packed with weird antiques and handmade gifts and is well worth a look. Also – if you have luggage that you’d rather not carry around the city with you, you can leave it here for the day!

Bargate, a medieval building along the QE2 Mile in Southampton, England.
Bargate along the QE2 Mile

Midway along the QE2 Mile, you’ll reach a striking building called The Bargate. Built around 1180, this medieval gatehouse once guarded the walled-off city center.

When you get hungry, you’ll find plenty of cafes serving traditional full English breakfasts in this part of the city.

Walk the City Walls

The city walls of Southampton are perfect for a walk during your day trip to Southampton
Walkable City Walls in Southampton

Southampton’s city walls were built around the 10th century. Although they have been extensively attacked over the years, about half of the circuit remains intact. It’s wonderful to see the ancient city walls mixed in with the modern architecture of the city.

The wonderful thing about Southampton’s city walls is that you may walk along the top of many of them. Just head up the stone steps and you’ll get some great views of the city, as well as plenty of exercise from climbing up and down.

If you have a push chair or wheelchair with you, you can still follow the city walls as walking alongside the walls is a flat and easy route.

Go Ship Spotting

It's hard to miss spotting a cruise ship even if you have just one day in Southampton, England
Cruise ship in the Southampton cruise terminal

As you follow the city walls towards the ocean, be sure to look out for any cruise ships that are in port.

Southampton has four cruise terminals, so there’s a good chance that at least one or two large cruise ships will be in view at City Cruise Terminal and Ocean Cruise Terminal, as well as ferries and smaller boats at the Town Quay Marina.

If you search for cruise ship trackers online, you’ll be able to see which ships are in port during your stay. If you’ve never seen a cruise ship up close before, you may be shocked to see how big some of them actually are!

Have a Picnic in Mayflower Park

Mayflower Park in Southampton, UK
Mayflower Park

The perfect place to stop for a rest and a sandwich during your day in Southampton is Mayflower Park. Southampton has lots of lovely green parks, but this one also has the advantage of ocean views.

Located by the City Cruise Terminal, you can see cruise ships up close from here, and there are lots of benches where you can sit and enjoy the views.

Mayflower Park also has a fantastic little play area for kids, a cafe, and public toilets.

Visit a Medieval House

The Medieval Merchant's House is a great example of the unique architecture to behold during a day visiting Southampton, England.
Medieval Merchant’s House

You’re sure to be amazed by the beauty of Southampton’s ancient buildings, many of which you’ll arrive at unexpectedly as you wander around the city.

Some people think that Southampton is an ugly city as many of the buildings were built in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. However, I think that having medieval houses and pubs mixed in amongst affordable housing and cheap cafes makes them all the more striking.

If your visit is at a weekend between March and September, you can take a look inside a 14th century home called The Medieval Merchant’s House and get a glimpse of what life in Southampton was like in ancient times.

Spend the Evening at Ocean Village

Ocean Village is a great place for day trippers to spend an evening for dinner and ship watching in Southampton UK.
Ocean Village

Southampton’s Ocean Village is a marina with mooring facilities for tall ships and large yachts. Here, you’ll also find the city’s tallest building plus lots of shops, restaurants, bars, and a cinema.

Ocean Village is the perfect place to enjoy an evening meal to finish off your day in Southampton. Whatever kind of food you fancy, there’ll no doubt be something to suit you here. Many of the bars and restaurants have terraces where you can sit outside and enjoy a drink while you admire the marina views.

After dinner, head to the glass-fronted Harbour Lights Picture House to enjoy a blockbuster movie or independent film to round off your day.

How to Get to Southampton

Southampton UK seen from the waterways.
Southampton

Southampton By Cruise Ship

If you visit Southampton for one day on a cruise, you should be able to walk to the city center from your ship, depending on which terminal it arrives into. The City Cruise Terminal and the Ocean Cruise Terminal are closest to the city center. If you arrive at Queen Elizabeth II Cruise Terminal or Mayflower Cruise Terminal, it’s about 30 minutes to walk so you may prefer to take a taxi.

Southampton By Car

Southampton has good links with the M3 and M27 motorways, which makes it easy to drive to and there are lots of car parks located in the city center.

If you’re driving to Southampton for a cruise, then you should arrange your Southampton cruise parking in advance to get the best deal.

Southampton By Train

Southampton Central train station is served by direct trains from all over England. It takes around 1 hour 20 minutes from London Waterloo and 2 hours 30 minutes from London Victoria. There are also direct trains from as far as Oxford, Birmingham, and Manchester.

Southampton by Plane

Southampton International Airport is around five miles from the city center. There are regular buses and trains that connect the city center of Southampton with the airport, or you can take a taxi or Uber.

Where to Stay in Southampton

Holiday Inn Southampton is a budget friendly place to stay in Southampton that is in the city center and near the cruise terminal.
Holiday Inn Southampton

Budget: If you just want somewhere to rest your head, Southampton’s Holiday Inn is ideally located in the heart of the city center and is right by the City Cruise Terminal.

Mid-Range: Moxy Southampton is a modern and quirky, conveniently located boutique hotel. Located next to the Westfield Shopping Centre this fashionable hotel has a video wall in the lobby and hand-written messages on whiteboards everywhere.

Luxury: When only the best will do, why not check into the Southampton Harbour Hotel & Spa? Designed to look like a superyacht and located on a private marina this contemporary hotel has stunning views towards the Isle of Wight.

Enjoy Your Day in Southampton, England!

Ideal for day trips, Southampton is compact enough that you can explore it all on foot. It’s also pretty flat and so is accessible for wheelchair users and those exploring with babies.

Oftentimes when cruise ships call into Southampton, passengers may take excursions to London or the New Forest National Park. However, if you’ve never been to Southampton before, then I highly recommend it as a place to spend your day ashore.

Whether you visit before, during, or after a cruise, or just want somewhere interesting to visit for a day out, Southampton is a wonderful historic English city to explore.

About the Author: Jenni Fielding is a cruise blogger from the UK who loves to cruise from Southampton with her children. She offers lots of cruise tips and advice on her blog CruiseMummy.co.uk as well as on Instagram and Facebook.

Found this One Day in Southampton itinerary helpful? Pin it to easily read again later!

Looking for the top things to do in Southampton when short on time? This One Day in Southampton itinerary written by an expert has you covered. Find out the must-see sites plus the best places to stay near the city center and cruise terminal.

About Gina

I'm a former travel agency marketing director turned freelance travel writer. My editorial and copywriting work has been published on and in USA TODAY, Travel + Leisure, the Travel Channel Cities app, TripSavvy, and many more online and print publications. I especially love sharing my knowledge of traveling with limited vacation time, making the most of cruise ports of call, and vacationing with kids. I also enjoy sharing my favorite travel gear and products to make traveling easier!

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