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Southampton guide

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Southampton Introduction

Relax in the New Forest, dine beside the Solent and sail around the Isle of Wight

In a Nutshell

| Sightseeing

| When to Go

| Nearby hotels

In a Nutshell

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Located at the confluence of two rivers, the city's location is what brought its wealth and historical importance. Ocean liners and ferries still glide in and out of the port, but today visitors can watch the maritime traffic from the comfort of a restaurant. The Old Town walls and many historic buildings are waiting to be explored. The new modern city is epitomised by WestQuay shopping centre, Town Quay’s marina and bars and the Ocean Village residential developments.

Both the fateful Titanic and the Mayflower carrying the Pilgrim Fathers sailed from Southampton.

Sightseeing

Nautical stories in the Maritime Museum, wild ponies in the New Forest

Solent Sky

The ill-fated Titanic. Courtesy of Southampton City Council Photographic Library

Maritime Museum

City Art Gallery

WestQuay

Museum of Archaeology

New Forest

When to Go

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Luxury yachts and international sport

Chinese New Year Celebrations (Jan/Feb), County cricket at the Rose Bowl (Apr-Sep), Southampton Mela Festival (Jun/Jul), New Forest and Hampshire County Show (Jul), Cowes Week (Aug), Southampton International Boatshow (Sep).