Learn about Southampton's maritime history and visit the SeaCity Museum
The SeaCity Museum opened in 2012, marking the 100th anniversary of the Titanic. The exterior of the museum features a wave-like structure while the interior hosts exhibitions and talks about the Titanic.
There are also numerous memorials around Southampton city centre to commemorate the sailors, engineers, musicians and other crew members who died on the Titanic. It is estimated that around 500 families in Southampton lost a family member in the tragedy.
Visitors can also visit memorials and other historic buildings such as the former headquarters of the White Star Line (owner of the Titanic) and the Titanic crew quarters.
Visit the city's oldest building, the Tudor House Museum
Located in the heart of Southampton and the heart of the Old Town, the Tudor House Museum is considered the city's most important historic building. The Tudor House Museum is considered a symbol of Southampton's golden and prosperous past.
What is special is that this 900-year-old building is very well preserved, not affected at all during the German air raids on England during World War II. For today's tourists, coming to Southampton without visiting the Tudor House Museum is a big mistake.
Admire the landscape of Exbury garden house
Exbury Gardens is just half an hour drive from Southampton city centre and boasts a huge variety of plants. You can visit Exbury Gardens at any time but if you come in May you will be treated to some of the giant rhododendrons in full bloom in vibrant shades of pink and purple.
Explore the romantic ruins of Netley Abbey
Netley Abbey was built in the 13th century and was home to Cistercian monks until the 16th century. After that, the abbey fell into disrepair and was abandoned, but today the ruins of Netley Abbey are considered a symbol of the English Romantic movement. In a letter to a friend, the writer Horace Walpole wrote: "The vast ruins, the beautiful roofs hanging in the air with all the Gothic windows wound round, Netley Abbey is wonderful. Ah! the purple natives, what an ideal place they have chosen to hibernate."
Follow the rabbit to Lyndhurst and explore the New Forest
Literature and film fans have flocked to Lyndhurst on the eastern edge of the New Forest to explore this wonderful location, which is said to have inspired the adventures of Lewis Carroll, author of “Alice in Wonderland”.
In the centre of the village you will find the grave of Alice Liddell, Caroll, the muse for Alice – located in a small graveyard behind the little church of St Michael. There is plenty to do in this small, picturesque village, with lovely shops, tea rooms, antique shops and try the homemade cakes at the Mad Hatter Tea Room.
At the end of the motorway you will find the gateway to the eastern part of the New Forest, marking the border between Southampton and the surrounding Bournemouth area. Visitors can walk or cycle through the New Forest to take in the romantic scenery.
Southampton Library and Art Gallery
When visiting Southampton's civic buildings, visitors will find the Southampton City Library and Southampton City Art Library, which hold permanent and rotating exhibitions of over 5,000 works representing six centuries of European art: from the Renaissance and Baroque to Impressionism, Surrealism and contemporary art.
The gallery's most notable masterpieces include: outstanding paintings by Sir Edward Burne-Jones, and superb sculptures by sculptors Edgar Degas, Sir Jacob Epstein, Auguste Rodin and Henri Gaudier-Brzeska.
Sip cocktails by the marina
Over the years, the glamorous Ocean Village Marina has become a popular tourist destination. It is a great place to enjoy a great cocktail while taking in the panoramic view of the marina.
But if you fancy a more bohemian experience of Southampton, head to the nearby Platform Tavern on the weekends for a great dinner with delicious food and live music from local musicians.
Learn about the city's history and writer Jane Austen
Southampton's old town is enclosed within a mile-long city wall with 90 historic buildings and 30 monuments. The gateway to the old town is called Bargate. Visit St Michael's Square, York Gate, Arundel Tower, Lord's House Tower and the war-torn Holyrood Church.
Fans of the famous English female writer, Jane Austen, can walk through the old town, visit the house where she lived, the church where she prayed and the garden where she often spent time composing famous works such as: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Manor...
Immerse yourself in nature at Lepe Beach
The shingle beach at Lepe is fringed by wildflower meadows, mudflats and towering pine trees. Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the beach also serves as an important wildlife sanctuary, particularly for shorebirds including Brent Geese, Otters, Herons, Kingfishers in the freshwater pools and Woodpeckers.
Lepe Beach is also a historical site as it was the British naval base during World War II. Lepe Beach served as the launching point for thousands of troops and supplies during the historic Normandy landings.
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