3 to 4 hours in Southampton

[janhtx]

Hello,

 

We are arriving QM2 on 12 September. We have a 1420 flight to Dublin from SOU. Assuming we disembark and clear immigration by 0900ish we have around 3-4 hours in Southampton. We will each have a small roller suitcase and a daypack. I'm just starting to research and am looking for suggestions for sights or activities that are doable in that time frame and perhaps underrated or over looked.

 

We like all things historical (ancient to WWII), architecture, archeology, pretty much anything. A great restaurant or interesting local shop? Any suggestions? All time favorites?

 

thanks

 

jan

[John Bull]

Hi Jan,

Southampton isn't a tourist city, but it certainly has more than enough to interest you for a morning.

 

QM2 is scheduled to dock at the new Ocean Terminal, berth 46, exit via dock gate 4. www.southamptonvts.co.uk/

Don't know if there's a left-luggage facility at the terminal, if not you can leave your cases at the De Vere Grand Harbour hotel for a fee (I think £5 per case). The hotel is located on West Quay Road, opposite Mayflower Parknear the roundabout with Town Quay. It's about a mile - a 20min walk on level ground / good sidewalks, or a £5 taxi hop.

 

Whether you start from dock gate 4 or from the Grand Harbour hotel, Southampton's limited historical sights are all very close, in the old part of town on an easy level circular walk of well under an hour's strolling. With just a small suitcase each, I guess you could keep your luggage but it'd be a bit of a bind.

 

Most comprehensive website is probably www.visit-southampton.co.uk/

Use that website's map

http://www.visit-southampton.co.uk/DBIMGS/N%20Central%20Southampton_A3(1).pdf

to follow a route which includes the remains of the Watergate, Town Quay, the small Maritime museum housed in the old Wool House at the junct Town Quay & Bugle St, newly-refurbished Tudor Merchant's Hall a little way up Bugle St, walk the town wall from there to the Bargate (if you can avoid the temptation of the West Quay Mall & Above Bar shopping street), down High Street, mebbe stopping for a pint at the http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/leisure/pubs/pubreviews/4089380.The_Red_Lion__High_Street__Southampton/

then the Medieval Merchant's House in French St, taking you back to Town Quay.

From here, mebbe a short walk to Gods House Tower, which houses the archaeological museum, or walk / taxi beyond it past your dock gate to the excellent little aviation museum http://www.spitfireonline.co.uk/ which has a dozen or more aircraft with local connections incl a spitfire & a Sandringham flying boat which you can board. It's run by friendly & knowledgeable enthusiasts. :)

 

September can be glorious, but if its wet concentrate on Maritime Museum/ Tudor Merchant's Hall/ Archaeological Museum/ Aviation museum. Or West Quay Mall :rolleyes:

 

Southampton airport is about 15-20 mins / about £18 by taxi. There's a frequent 10 min train service (about 3 per hour) from Southampton central rail station, but you'd need a short taxi ride to central station.

 

John Bull :)

[topsey130]

If the weather is fair you could always take in some of the Titanic Memorials, tie them in with some of Johns suggestions

 

http://www.visit-southampton.co.uk/dbimgs/New%20Titanic%20Trail%201.pdf

[janhtx]

Thanks John B and Topsey sounds like more than enough to fill our time and interests. Good suggestion on the Grand Harbor for luggage.

 

jan