Southampton port stop

[anboricua76]

We well be stopping in Southampton on our Sept. MSC Opera. We like to DIY or a private tour in our port of call. Can anyone suggest a private tour in Southampton? Thank you, Arelis

[John Bull]

Hi Arelis,

 

Do you know how long you have in port? It will have a significant bearing on your options.

Want to stay in Southampton city? It has some minor sights, OK for a lazy day. Or get out of town?

Happy to go to places out of town by train? (a number of interesting places by simple frequent direct trains, no changes.) Or stick to a private tour?

Countryside? Cities? History?

 

JB :)

[chubbypiggy]

Hi Arelis,

 

Do you know how long you have in port? It will have a significant bearing on your options.

Want to stay in Southampton city? It has some minor sights, OK for a lazy day. Or get out of town?

Happy to go to places out of town by train? (a number of interesting places by simple frequent direct trains, no changes.) Or stick to a private tour?

Countryside? Cities? History?

 

JB :)

 

Hi JB,

 

Our port call in Southampton will be from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. on May 8 (Thursday). We are interested in DIY. Could you kindly suggest sights/shopping we can see/do in Southampton (please also suggest means of transportation from the port) and also some out of town places we can do by frequent direct trains?

 

Thank you.

[kaznaid]

Hi JB,

 

Our port call in Southampton will be from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. on May 8 (Thursday). We are interested in DIY. Could you kindly suggest sights/shopping we can see/do in Southampton (please also suggest means of transportation from the port) and also some out of town places we can do by frequent direct trains?

 

Thank you.

 

Southampton has a lovely shopping centre (Mall) called West Quay. You will see it from your ship (just look for the John Lewis sign). The port is a very short taxi trip away from West Quay (about 5 mins) but not really ideal for walking. You will also see the largest Ikea on the South Coast of England from your ship! There are representatives of all the main UK chain stores both in and around West Quay. The train station is also close by.

 

Places to visit by train ...

Winchester (very historical - Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table),

Bournemouth (typical british seaside town),

Portsmouth (Naval Heritage with HMS Victory - Nelson's flagship)

Salisbury (pretty city with lovely cathedral)

Chichester (another pretty city with lovely cathedral and lots of shops)

Stonehenge is about an hour away but you will need to go by train to Salisbury then a bus to Stonehenge. There is no train station at Stonehenge!

London is about one hour 45 mins by non-stop train.

 

http://www.west-quay.co.uk/

http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk

http://www.historicdockyard.co.uk

http://www.thetrainline.com

 

I hope all this is of help to you ... I also live close to Southampton.

 

Cheers

 

K

Edited December 3, 2013 by kaznaid

[chubbypiggy]

Kaznaid,

 

Thank you so much for the valuable information!:)

[chubbypiggy]

Southampton has a lovely shopping centre (Mall) called West Quay. You will see it from your ship (just look for the John Lewis sign). The port is a very short taxi trip away from West Quay (about 5 mins) but not really ideal for walking. You will also see the largest Ikea on the South Coast of England from your ship! There are representatives of all the main UK chain stores both in and around West Quay. The train station is also close by.

 

Places to visit by train ...

Winchester (very historical - Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table),

Bournemouth (typical british seaside town),

Portsmouth (Naval Heritage with HMS Victory - Nelson's flagship)

Salisbury (pretty city with lovely cathedral)

Chichester (another pretty city with lovely cathedral and lots of shops)

Stonehenge is about an hour away but you will need to go by train to Salisbury then a bus to Stonehenge. There is no train station at Stonehenge!

London is about one hour 45 mins by non-stop train.

 

www.west-quay.co.uk/

www.discoversouthampton.co.uk

www.historicdockyard.co.uk

www.thetrainline.com

 

I hope all this is of help to you ... I also live close to Southampton.

 

Cheers

 

K

 

I have a few more questions:

 

1. Are taxis easily accessible at the port?

2. How much is the estimated taxi cost to West Quay?

3. Is the train station within walking distance (less than 15 minutes?) from the West Quay mall?

4. Are taxis easily accessible at the mall and/or train station?

 

Thank you!

[anboricua76]

Thank you for the information, Cruise Critics are the best.

Arelis

[chubbypiggy]

I have a few more questions:

 

1. Are taxis easily accessible at the port?

2. How much is the estimated taxi cost to West Quay?

3. Is the train station within walking distance (less than 15 minutes?) from the West Quay mall?

4. Are taxis easily accessible at the mall and/or train station?

 

Thank you!

 

Sorry, besides the above mentioned questions, I still have two more questions. To make it easier, I will just combine all my questions:

 

1. Are taxis easily accessible at the port?

2. How much is the estimated taxi cost to West Quay?

3. Is the train station within walking distance (less than 15 minutes?) from the West Quay mall?

4. Are taxis easily accessible at the mall and/or train station?

5. Is there any ATM in the West Quay mall?

6. Is there any ATM in the train station?

 

I have 20 pounds left from my previous cruise, and I wonder if that is enough for the taxi to get me to the West Quay mall or wherever there is an ATM.

 

Thank you.

[chubbypiggy]

Sorry, besides the above mentioned questions, I still have two more questions. To make it easier, I will just combine all my questions:

 

1. Are taxis easily accessible at the port?

2. How much is the estimated taxi cost to West Quay?

3. Is the train station within walking distance (less than 15 minutes?) from the West Quay mall?

4. Are taxis easily accessible at the mall and/or train station?

5. Is there any ATM in the West Quay mall?

6. Is there any ATM in the train station?

 

I have 20 pounds left from my previous cruise, and I wonder if that is enough for the taxi to get me to the West Quay mall or wherever there is an ATM.

 

Thank you.

 

Anyone has answers to any of my above mentioned questions? Any assistance would be appreciated! Thank you for your time.

[John Bull]

Sorry for the delayed reply, just back from cruisin' the Caribbean.

A bit warmer than the UK in January ;)

 

Plenty of metered taxis at the port. Fine for short A to B trips within the city, but very expensive for touring. For a day of exploring outside the city you need public transport or a pre-booked car & driver. Or a rental car if you're feeling brave.

 

MSC usually berth at City cruise terminal, only a 15 minute walk from West Quay Mall, & beyond to the city centre, city wall, etc. Mebbe take a £5 to £7 taxi ride from the ship, and walk back.

The Southampton Central rail station is also an easy level 15 min walk or a £5 to £7 taxi ride. Make your mind up depending on weather, time & mood.

ATMs at Mall, station & plenty of other places.

 

Your comparatively late sailing gives you a number of options, here's a few:

 

Salisbury & Stonehenge. Half-hourly train service from Southampton Central to Salisbury takes 30 minutes. Buy a "cheap day-return" for about £10. You don't have to specify a return train, catch any train back to Southampton same-day. Catch a train to Salisbury that ties in neatly with the Stonehenge ho-ho which runs from Salisbury station. Take the ho-ho (costs about £11) to Stonehenge, about 30 minutes each way. On the way out, check out Old Sarum from the bus & decide whether to hop off there on your way back from Stonehenge - whether you do will depend on the weather, time -in-hand, & whether it grabs your interest. On returning to Salisbury, get off the ho-ho in the city centre & check out the Cathedral & historic city centre. Then return to the station by ho-ho if conveniently-timed, or by local bus or taxi or 15 min walk, for train back to Southampton.

Total time on train one hour, total time on ho-ho one hour, give yourselves 60-90 mins at Stonehenge, mebbe give yourselves an hour at Old Sarum, give yourselves about 2hours in Salisbury.

 

http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/planjourney/search

http://www.thestonehengetour.info/

(buying your Stonehenge ticket from the ho-ho driver is same cost & may save you joining a line at Stonehenge)

 

Bath. Hourly train service from Southampton, takes about 90 minutes. Destination station is Bath Spa. No "cheap day-return" tickets, prices vary according to time of train but possible for around £20 return. Station is in the town centre, everywhere easily walkable, ho-ho is a waste of time & money.

http://visitbath.co.uk/

 

Portsmouth & Southsea. Hourly direct trains & frequent other trains with one simple change, takes 45 to 60 minutes, cost about £10 for a "cheap day-return". Most convenient station is Portsmouth Harbour, at the end of the line. Right by the historic dockyard & ships, & the Gunwharf Quays shopping/leisure complex and Spinnaker Tower. The historic dockyard will probably take your entire day but if you have the time take the short bus or taxi ride to Southsea seafront - Southsea Castle (small but free), D-Day museum, views across to the Isle of Wight, etc

http://www.historicdockyard.co.uk/

http://www.visitportsmouth.co.uk/

Winchester is just 15 mins from Southampton, cheap & frequent trains. Not sure there's enough for a full day.

http://www.visitwinchester.co.uk/

 

Beaulieu national motor museum/abbey is accessible by short cheap ferry trip across Southampton Water to Hythe, then bus or taxi the 6 miles across a corner of the New Forest.

http://www.hytheferry.co.uk/

http://www.thebeachbus.info/

http://www.beaulieu.co.uk/

 

The New Forest is best explored by car, but the twin routes of the New Forest ho-ho give a good overview for a lazy day. Best accessed bt Blue Star local bus from Southampton to Lyndhurst, where the two main ho-ho routes intersect.

http://www.thenewforest.co.uk/discover/new-forest-tour.aspx

 

Beyond Portsmouth is Chichester, the Weald & Downland museum & Arundel Castle.

http://www.visitchichester.org/

http://www.wealddown.co.uk/

http://www.arundelcastle.org/

Or in the opposite direction, Corfe Castle, Weymouth & Portland and the Jurassic Coast.

Either of these combinations would need a car.

And you may want to consider a car for Salisbury/Stonehenge or for Bath or the New Forest.

Best bets are either http://www.smithsforairports.com often used by CC members for transfers or http://www.discoverthe south.com which is the touring arm of http://www.westquaycars.com also frequently used by CC members.

Or Hertz, Europcar & National have car rentals just a ten minute walk from City cruise terminal.

 

JB :)

[chubbypiggy]

JB, thank you so much for your detailed information.

 

We will be coming in on Royal Princess. Do you know if Princess also berths at City cruise terminal? If not, how far from Princess' cruise terminal to West Quay mall?

 

Thank you.

[John Bull]

JB, thank you so much for your detailed information.

 

We will be coming in on Royal Princess. Do you know if Princess also berths at City cruise terminal? If not, how far from Princess' cruise terminal to West Quay mall?

 

Thank you.

 

Princess use both Ocean Terminal & Mayflower terminal.

From Ocean it's about a mile / 20 minutes, quite a pleasant walk in decent weather.

From Mayflower about 1.5 miles / 35 minutes but not a particularly pleasant walk, including part in the docks without a sidewalk.

 

A taxi from either will cost little more than £5.

 

http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/admin/content/files/PDF_Downloads/Up%20to%20date%20port%20plan.pdf

(West Quay Mall is on that map as "shopping complex" on Harbour Parade.)

[chubbypiggy]

Princess use both Ocean Terminal & Mayflower terminal.

From Ocean it's about a mile / 20 minutes, quite a pleasant walk in decent weather.

From Mayflower about 1.5 miles / 35 minutes but not a particularly pleasant walk, including part in the docks without a sidewalk.

 

A taxi from either will cost little more than £5.

 

http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/admin/content/files/PDF_Downloads/Up%20to%20date%20port%20plan.pdf

(West Quay Mall is on that map as "shopping complex" on Harbour Parade.)

 

Thank you JB. :)

[gizmodog]

Anyone have a recommendation for lunch here?

[Alaskanb]

JB: Do you know anything about this rail offer? http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/pr8538f376e7439898d0100e34420a9f.aspx

Thanks.

Edited January 4, 2014 by Alaskanb

[Alaskanb]

Anyone have a recommendation for lunch here?

We may try the Cathedral restaurant for lunch. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g186414-d2437146-Reviews-Salisbury_Cathedral_Refectory_restaurant-Salisbury_Wiltshire_England.html

Edited January 4, 2014 by Alaskanb

[John Bull]

JB: Do you know anything about this rail offer? http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/pr8538f376e7439898d0100e34420a9f.aspx

Thanks.

 

Didn't know about this one, but attractions, transport organisations, even hotels etc frequently put on special joint promos. Ferry operators (Isle of Wight and cross-Channel) are always e-mailing me with combo offers.

 

Interestingly, this Stonehenge promo doubles-up with the ho-ho operator for a set round-trip. And it may become permanent, because things have changed significantly at Stonehenge for this year. The tired old visitor facilities & parking close to the Stones have closed, and that road torn up & returned to grass. A new visitor centre has opened some distance away, out of sight of the Stones, & visitors are now ferried from there to the Stones on a land-train.

The main highway (the A303) is unchanged, so the Stones can still be seen when passing on that road.

Big big traffic problems when the visitor centre opened a few months ago, the junction of the A303 & the road to the new visitor centre caused gridlock - not just for visitors but also for locals & for through-traffic on the A303. Not just a teething problem, more a complete misjudgement of traffic flow. It was so bad that something has to change, I'm sure it will very quickly - and maybe it already has.

 

JB :)

[Alaskanb]

Didn't know about this one, but attractions, transport organisations, even hotels etc frequently put on special joint promos. Ferry operators (Isle of Wight and cross-Channel) are always e-mailing me with combo offers.

 

Interestingly, this Stonehenge promo doubles-up with the ho-ho operator for a set round-trip. And it may become permanent, because things have changed significantly at Stonehenge for this year. The tired old visitor facilities & parking close to the Stones have closed, and that road torn up & returned to grass. A new visitor centre has opened some distance away, out of sight of the Stones, & visitors are now ferried from there to the Stones on a land-train.

The main highway (the A303) is unchanged, so the Stones can still be seen when passing on that road.

Big big traffic problems when the visitor centre opened a few months ago, the junction of the A303 & the road to the new visitor centre caused gridlock - not just for visitors but also for locals & for through-traffic on the A303. Not just a teething problem, more a complete misjudgement of traffic flow. It was so bad that something has to change, I'm sure it will very quickly - and maybe it already has.

 

JB :)

Thanks-- think we will do Salisbury and Stonehenge on our pre-cruise day in August.