Most people treat Southampton as just a place to board a ship – and that’s a mistake. Arriving the day before your cruise isn’t just about avoiding motorway stress (although that alone is worth it). It’s also your chance to enjoy one of England’s most underrated cruise cities.
I nearly always travel down early if I’m sailing from Southampton, and every time I do, I’m reminded how much there is packed into a surprisingly small, walkable area. Historic sights, waterfront walks, great food, and a few things that even regular cruisers don’t realise are right on their doorstep.
Whether you’ve got a couple of spare hours or want to turn your cruise into a full weekend break, everything on this list is within about a 15-minute walk. No taxis. No rushing. Just an easy, stress-free start to your holiday.
And there’s one spot most cruisers walk straight past without realising what they’re missing…
(Tip: it’s also worth checking VisitSouthampton before you go to see what events or festivals might be on while you’re there.)
Good to Know Before You Go
- Southampton city centre is very walkable, and most of the attractions in this list are within around a 15-minute walk of each other.
- If you’re staying centrally, you won’t usually need taxis unless you have lots of luggage or mobility issues.
- Many of Southampton’s museums and galleries, including Sea City Museum and the City Art Gallery, are free or very low cost.
- Cruise terminals are not walkable from the city centre with luggage, but a short taxi ride will get you there quickly on embarkation day.
- If you’re arriving the day before your cruise, staying overnight removes the stress of traffic delays and makes embarkation day far more relaxed.
1. Sea City Museum
If you only have time to do one activity while you’re in Southampton, then a visit to the Sea City Museum is a must.
Not only is it one of the world’s best Titanic museums, but it also features a range of other exhibitions that delve into Southampton’s maritime past, including its role in the world wars and its long history as a port city.
Children will love the old-fashioned arcade games that you can play for 20p or 50p a go. They can also dress up in the types of clothes that people on the Titanic would have worn.
The museum is very much focused on Southampton and showcases how important the maritime industry has always been for the people of the city. The recordings of people who survived the Titanic or had family members on board are very moving.
2. Southampton City Art Gallery
Southampton’s art gallery is free to visit and is a wonderful place to spend an hour or two. It boasts an impressive collection of British and European art spanning over six centuries, including works by famous artists like Sir Peter Blake, Henry Moore, and J.M.W. Turner.
Whether you’re interested in modern art, historical pieces, or works by local artists, you’ll find plenty of interesting works of art to admire.
Children will love the room where you can draw a portrait and add it to the gallery on the wall.
3. God’s House Tower
God’s House Tower offers a fascinating blend of history and contemporary culture. Originally built in the late 13th century as a defensive fortification for the medieval town, the structure has served various functions over the years, including being a jail and a museum.
During your visit to God’s House Tower, you can learn about Southampton’s rich history, see the art exhibition on the top floor (these change regularly) and then head up to the rooftop to admire the incredible views over the city and harbour.
Kids are given a worksheet to fill in throughout their visit and receive a prize at the end if they complete it. They can also spot little faces that are hidden around the building.
When you leave, be sure to walk down Winkle Street, and you’ll find lots more of these faces, all created by the urban artist J_Ace.
4. High Score Arcade
If you have an hour to kill in Southampton City Centre, then I highly recommend that you pay a visit to High Score Arcade.
This retro arcade has hundreds of games with all of the faves from your childhood. There are shooting games, mini-bowling, air hockey, driving games, Dancing Stage and pretty much everything else you can think of.
Our favourites were the four-player air hockey, where hundreds of pucks come out at once, and the simple yet addictive Crossy Road game.
The best thing about this arcade is that you pay for an hour, and then you can use as many games as you like. So instead of playing the first level of a racing or shooting game and then losing, you can just hit continue!
5. WestQuay Shopping Centre
Much more than just a shopping centre, Southampton’s WestQuay is a hub of retail and entertainment.
From high-end designer boutiques to familiar high-street brands, WestQuay caters to a diverse range of tastes and budgets. The centre boasts an array of dining options, from casual eateries to international cuisines, as well as a state-of-the-art cinema for film enthusiasts.
On a hot summer’s day, the fountains outside offer a refreshing place for children to cool off. So it’s worth packing their swimsuits!
6. The Marlands Shopping Centre
Another shopping centre that I like to visit in Southampton is The Marlands. It offers a more intimate and boutique shopping experience than WestQuay.
The shopping centre also has several places to eat, as well as the Sea Life Play Centre, which will be a popular choice for little ones. You can also leave your luggage here, making it a good choice if you just have a few hours to kill after your cruise before your coach, train or flight.
7. Walk The City Walls
One of my favourite things to do in Southampton is to walk the city walls. These walls extend just over a mile around the city centre, and you can walk along them and, in places, walk along the top to admire the views.
The walls were initially constructed in the 14th century for defensive purposes and were added to and modified in subsequent centuries.
Along the way, you can stop to admire the various towers and gates. Informative plaques and markers along the way enrich the walk with interesting tidbits and historical facts, revealing how the walls played a crucial role in the city’s past, particularly during wars and sieges.
The walls also take you past key landmarks, including the Bargate, a medieval gatehouse, and the waterfront. Walking the city walls usually takes about an hour or two, depending on how much time you spend exploring along the way!
You can see a map of the walking route here.
8. Visit the Central Parks
Southampton City Centre has five beautiful parks that all join together to create one fantastic green space with lots for the whole family to enjoy.
Families should head to Houndwell Park, where you’ll find a large adventure playground. Of course, it has a Titanic-themed section.
Just a short stroll away is Hoglands Park, which is more geared toward teenagers with a skate park and basketball court. You’ll often find large events here too, like fairs and circuses, depending on when you visit.
Heading north, we have Palmerston Park. This peaceful and secluded space is known for its rose garden and seasonal flowers. It also has a bandstand where you may find live music events in the summer.
East Park has a mini golf course, tennis courts and a nice little cafe called the Nautical Mile. It also has several interesting memorials, including the Titanic Engineers’ Memorial.
And finally, there’s Watts Park, where you’ll find the Southampton Cenotaph and the Isaac Watts Monument.
Cruise ship spotters should also pay a visit to Mayflower Park. From here, you’ll get a great close-up view of whichever ship is in the Mayflower Cruise Terminal that day. There’s also a children’s playground and cafe.
Where to Eat
Southampton offers hundreds of places to eat. Whatever your tastes, budget or dietary requirements, you’ll be well-catered for within the city centre. Choosing the best places to eat isn’t easy, but I’ve listed my favourites below…
Lunch at Cafe Thrive
Cafe Thrive is a vegan cafe in Southampton, but even if you believe that every meal should have meat in it, don’t let that put you off! The plant-based cuisine here is so delicious that I promise everyone will love it.
This cosy cafe offers a wide variety of delicious and nutritious options, from hearty burgers to sumptuous salads and scrumptious desserts. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it the perfect spot to unwind with a cup of ethically sourced coffee or a smoothie.
The staff are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, happy to recommend dishes. Whether you fancy a healthy and colourful salad or a calorific burger with loaded fries, there’ll be something for you here.
Dinner at HarBAR on 6th
If you want to celebrate the start of your cruise holiday in style with a nice meal on the evening before you set sail, then I recommend booking a table at HarBAR on 6th.
This chic waterfront bar and restaurant is located on the 6th floor of the Southampton Harbour Hotel.
Here you can enjoy panoramic views across the Solent and admire the boats in the bustling marina below.
The food at HarBAR is delicious, as are the cocktails. After your meal, I’d recommend enjoying a drink in the bar where the atmosphere is fantastic.
For such a nice venue, HarBAR is refreshingly kid-friendly, and the children’s menu is great value for money.
Where to Stay
Room 2
When it comes to hotels in Southampton, my recommendation is Room 2. The modern, boutique apart-hotel is conveniently located in the city centre, within walking distance of the cruise terminals.
The interiors are stylish and modern, furnished to create a cosy, inviting atmosphere that makes you feel instantly at home.
We stayed in the Master Loft, which is a fantastic family room with an upstairs nest-like loft for the kids.
I love that the room had a small kitchen area and dining table, which is perfect if you don’t want to eat out for every meal.
With a large couch, spacious bathroom and a huge TV, there’s plenty of room for a family of four to spread out. There’s also a convenient car park just behind the hotel. We were allowed to park early in the morning before check-in and leave the car there until the evening after we checked out, which was really convenient.
Room2 is currently offering up to 20% discount exclusively for The Hometel Club members. This special spring package also includes free breakfast and a seasonal welcome drink. To book, visit room2.com/southampton.
To Conclude
Southampton is more than just a cruise departure port – it’s part of the holiday if you let it be. Arriving a little earlier gives you breathing room, removes the stress of travel delays, and lets you enjoy a city that most cruisers barely scratch the surface of.
Whether you’re squeezing in a few hours or turning it into a full pre-cruise break, Southampton rewards those who slow down and explore. And once you’ve done it once, you’ll never rush straight to the ship again.
Get Help Booking Your Family Cruise
Cruise Family are the only UK specialists in cruises for families of 5+ (and smaller ones too!)
Let them find your perfect trip…
Related Posts:
- The 9 Best Luggage Storage Places in Southampton
- Southampton Cruise Parking: The Ultimate Guide
- The Best Winter Cruises from Southampton
- Cruising From The UK? Check Out The Best Southampton Hotels With Cruise Parking
This was a great introduction to SouthHampton. There’s something to do for everyone young and old. You covered so many things that would appeal to any number of interests that anyone or family could have. The only thing I knew about SouthHampton was that it was home to the Titanic. I can see that there is so much to see and do and that it is well worthwhile to arrive several days before taking a cruise to relax and enjoy what this city as to offer. .
Or you could visit shirley or millbrook for a true taste of southampton