Great post-cruise sightseeing from Southampton?

[colloctopus]

Hi friends,

We are a family from the US cautiously excited to sail from Southampton to Norway July 2022. In our party are 3 adults 70+, 2 adults in our 40s, and a 3 year old. I am looking for recommendations on what to do for 2-3 days post-cruise. 

This will be the first time to the UK for most of us (I spent some wonderful time in London in my 20s, ages ago!). Since this is very much a “bucket list” trip for our family, I would love to get advise on where to go/what to see post-cruise for a few days before flying back to the US. One in our party is very interested in Cornwall, but I’m not sure that it’s attainable in a short visit. I appreciate any suggestions you have for 2-3 nights. Thank you!

 

 

 

[Aulanis]

Hi,   I think you maybe need to first give some idea of your interests and also the

general area where you will be staying.  London,  Southampton  elsewhere?

Are you thinking of trips out by coach or diy on public transport.  There is also

the age differences to consider and  maybe the time differences  will impact

on how people will feel after the flight.  Depending on when in July there will be

school holidays involved - the south coast gets busy as does London.   

[ziggyuk]

10 hours ago, colloctopus said:

Hi friends,

We are a family from the US cautiously excited to sail from Southampton to Norway July 2022. In our party are 3 adults 70+, 2 adults in our 40s, and a 3 year old. I am looking for recommendations on what to do for 2-3 days post-cruise. 

This will be the first time to the UK for most of us (I spent some wonderful time in London in my 20s, ages ago!). Since this is very much a “bucket list” trip for our family, I would love to get advise on where to go/what to see post-cruise for a few days before flying back to the US. One in our party is very interested in Cornwall, but I’m not sure that it’s attainable in a short visit. I appreciate any suggestions you have for 2-3 nights. Thank you!

 

 

 

 

Cornwall is not unattainable but with 2-3 nights you will spend so much of your time traveling you really won't scratch the surface.

My advice is keep it local in Hampshire and Dorset which are just a nice (especially Dorset & the Jurassic coast).

 

Abbotsbury is a beautiful English village in Dorset with thatch cottages lots of attractions, the whole village is stunning & a beautiful place to stay if you have a car is on top of the hill at Wears Farm:
https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/the-stables-abbotsbury.en-gb.html

 

You can also travel by train and but to Abbotsbury but in this case (without a car) stay in the village for one night. Taking the train is via Weymouth & Portland which is also worth consideration for one night as a lovely English seaside town.

 

If you go to Abbotsbury please let me know.

 

The New forest is 20 minutes from Southampton, with horses and cows walking free on the forest, it's a beautiful national park and I would recommend staying at Burley near Ringwood.

You can get a National express bus to Ringwood then a taxi to Burly, you wont regret the New Forest and it's so close to Southampton, it's also beautiful.

Do research on the New Forest, it was the first royal hunting ground used by William the Conqueror in around 1079, and then Henry VIII.

 

A lot of people want to go the Stonehenge which is a long drive and take a whole day but also worth a though.

Southampton is not (IMHO) not worth time, if you want to explore a lovely Cathedral City try Winchester it is also beautiful.

Edited December 5, 2021 by ziggyuk

[PORT ROYAL]

10 hours ago, colloctopus said:

Hi friends,

We are a family from the US cautiously excited to sail from Southampton to Norway July 2022. In our party are 3 adults 70+, 2 adults in our 40s, and a 3 year old. I am looking for recommendations on what to do for 2-3 days post-cruise. 

This will be the first time to the UK for most of us (I spent some wonderful time in London in my 20s, ages ago!). Since this is very much a “bucket list” trip for our family, I would love to get advise on where to go/what to see post-cruise for a few days before flying back to the US. One in our party is very interested in Cornwall, but I’m not sure that it’s attainable in a short visit. I appreciate any suggestions you have for 2-3 nights. Thank you!

 

 

 

Where are you staying post cruise?  This way CC members can assist better, once basecamp is known, but do strongly suggest a visit to the Mary Rose it’s magnificently unbelievable when seen in real life.  A treat for all ages.

If seeking a, upscale quiet country retreat Hotel, then consider Lime Wood

Edited December 5, 2021 by PORT ROYAL
Lime Wood

[Aulanis]

30 minutes ago, Aulanis said:

maybe the time differences  will impact on how people will feel after the flight

Sorry - misread  your post   so that is  not relevant.

[ziggyuk]

BTW, further to my message earlier, I live 20 minutes from Southampton, if you need and local information, feel free to tag me and ask.

Edited December 5, 2021 by ziggyuk

[smally]

If it were me I would spend the time in the New Forest. Brockenhurst is a 15 minute train journey from Southampton and provides direct access to the Forest - free roaming ponies, beautiful countryside, walks and cycling (cycle hire readily available). Last time we were in the area we ate at the Forest Park Hotel in Brockenhurst and it was really very good. We plan on staying there in the future. Brockenhurst also is not far from the Dorset coast/beaches - Keyhaven, Highcliffe, Mudiford Quay etc and the lovely coastal town of Lymington.

 

Another alternative would be a couple of nights in Winchester, which is a lovely city. But the New Forest would be my choice in the summer, especially with children.

[John Bull]

First thing to decide - if you haven't decided already - is whether to choose a single hub from which to take day-trips, or to tour.

And coupled with that, whether to travel by rented people-carrier or by train.

 

Simplest - and probably cheapest - is to book all your accommodation in Southampton and take day-trips from there by train. Southampton is a port city, not a tourist city, but the centre is compact and has a wide range of hotels,  pubs, restaurants, shops etc.

More important, it is a rail hub, with frequent trains in five directions. 

 

Suggestions for days out.....

Portsmouth. 

About an hour by train or bus or car - but your day will be concentrated in one (perhaps two) locations so public transport would avoid navigation and parking issues.Return train or bus tickets about £10.

Portsmouth is the home of the Royal Navy, the main attraction is the Historic Dockyard & Ships, including the Mary Rose, HMS Victory and Warrior. And close by, the Spinnaker Tower (only bother to go up if visibility is good when you're there). Portsmouth conjoins the resort city of Southsea - on its seafront are Southsea Castle and adjacent D-Day museum and views across the Solent to the Napoleonic Solent forts and the Isle of Wight and plenty more besides, and the ring of Napoleonic forts (google "Palmerston's Follies") which surround the city.

By train your destination is Portsmouth Harbour station (it's at the end of the line, after the main city station), by bus it's The Hard / Travel Interchange. Three different names for the same place . By car, set your gps for Queen Street

https://www.historicdockyard.co.uk/

https://www.visitportsmouth.co.uk/

 

Salisbury & Stonehenge

Direct half-hourly  train to Salisbury costs about £11 return-ticket, journey time about 40 minutes.

If you also want to go to Stonehenge, take the Stonehenge ho-ho bus from Salisbury station. Bus ride takes about 30 minutes, expect to spend about 90 minutes at Stonehenge then ho-ho back to Salisbury to check out the magnificent Salisbury cathedral and historic city centre. Ho-ho (if conveniently timed) or walk or taxi or local bus to Salisbury station for the train back to Southampton.

Post back if this is a sunday, there are a couple of complications.

Buy your Stonehenge tickets as well as ho-ho tickets from the ho-ho driver (same price as at the gate). This avoids the need for pre-purchasing a timed ticket to Stonehenge, and avoids wasting advance payment if your plans change.

Can be done by car, but you'd need to pre-book Stonehenge admission. 

Stonehenge is no fun in bad weather 

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

http://www.thestonehengetour.info

 

Winchester

Cathedral city only 15 mins by frequent trains from Southampton, fare under £10. Parking is problematic, by car it's best to use the city council's Park&Ride scheme (carpark on city outskirts and included shuttlebus to the centre

Older than Salisbury, Winchester is  the former capital of Wessex (King Alfred & all that). But narrow streets and rather more tourists make it feel more crowded, less laid-back.

Centred on Winchester Cathedral. Huge. IMHO not as inspiring as Salisbury's but centuries older. Houses the grave of Jane Austen. Interesting history of subsidence, and a tribute in the cathedral to the brass-helmeted deep-sea diver who a century ago spent years strengthening the foundations.

https://www.visitwinchester.co.uk/

 

Bath

About 90 minutes by train, return fare about £30 - or 64 miles about 1 hr 40 mins by road.

Attractive Georgian city (Jane Austen connections) centred on Roman baths. Compact centre.

https://visitbath.co.uk/

 

The New Forest

Nearest corner of the New Forest is about 7 miles from Southampton.

A little complicated by public transport and ho-ho, best to consider it only by car.

More for an enjoyable and laid-back day rather rhan iconic sights.

 

Beaulieu

Beaulieu is in the New Forest, could be combined with a New Forest drive.

Or by the little Hythe Ferry across Southampton Water to Hythe and a 6-mile taxi  ride (you'd need two) from there  to Beaulieu. No taxi rank at Beaulieu, agree a time for the driver/s to collect you (allow about 4 hours)

 https://www.beaulieu.co.uk/

https://hytheferry.co.uk/

 

Osborne House, Isle of Wight

Queen Victoria's favourite residence, designed for her by Prince Albert.

Cross the Solent from Southampton as foot passengers  on the CAR ferry to East Cowes, but don't use a rented car - the ferry fare for cars isn't worth the cost for this trip. Ferry takes an hour. From East Cowes take any bus (every 30 minutes or better), and ask the driver to put you off at Osborne House

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/osborne/

https://www.redfunnel.co.uk/en/

 

Loads more places if you choose to travel by car.

Bear in mind that you will need a people-carrier or minibus. In the UK a "van" is a panel van.

And rented vehicles are shift-stick unless "automatic" is specified.

But if you choose travel by train, ferry, whatever, you can divide your forces should some of you be keen on, say, Potsmouth & others might prefer, say, Winchester.

 

JB 🙂

 

 

 

 

Edited December 5, 2021 by John Bull

[Britboys]

Following on from the John Bull post above, I would agree - stay in Southampton and visit both Portsmouth and Salisbury/Stonehenge. That would provide two very different days out, seeing things you will not see anywhere else.

Southampton does have two small museums, Sea City and Solent Sky, if you had an extra half day.

[John Bull]

1 hour ago, CruiseGeekGuy said:

Do you recommend a nice hotel for 2-3 days in Southampton.  Thank you

 

Most of the  Southampton city centre hotels are on this page

https://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/southampton_accommodation.htm

There's a useful thumbnail map halfway down the page, showing the locations of the hotels, cruise terminals & train & bus stations.

Most hotels are modern chain hotels - most popular with cruisers are .................. 

Holiday Inn. Particularly popular with those cruising from Cty Cruise Terminal (and probably the new Horizons Cruise Terminal just beyond). Rooms at the back look over the cruise terminal, rooms at the front look down Southampton Water.

Premier Inn West Quay . Premier Inn is Britain's biggest budget chain, the one at West Quay is convenient to several cruise terminals, the West Quay mall & entertainment / restaurant complex, the main shopping street, & Southampton's few '"old town" sights & pubs. We've stayed at several Premier Inns, but not in Southampton cos we're locals.

Most expensive is the Southampton Harbour Hotel (most we've been able to afford there is a Sunday Lunch), cheapest is the Ibis Budget (again, we've stayed at a couple - very basic but very acceptable for a night or two).

If you want something a little quirky & historic, there are boutique hotels......... 

Pig-in-the-Wall. Built into the city wall.

Ennio's. Converted from a waterfront warehouse, rooms above an Italian restaurant (excellent dinners)

White Star Tavern.Not listed on that page.

Merecure Dolphin. Currently unavailable due to a Govt. contract.

 

Different prices, standards of comfort, & convenience, but none in the city centre to be avoided. 

 

JB 🙂

[colloctopus]

 I am thankful for all of your thoughtful responses. You are right, we need to determine our hub from which to travel for day trips. You’ve provided some excellent suggestions to begin researching -  I look forward to doing so over the holiday vacation. So appreciate the recommendations from you local specialists! What a great group.