Day Trips from Southampton

[cajun_corgi]

We will be in Southampton for one whole day while our ship takes on more passengers on the way to New York. We are thinking of going to Winchester or Salisbury, or Windsor Castle. Think we will only have time to do one. Any ideas or advice about what we should plan for an enjoyable and informative day would be appreciated. This will be in June. I understand there is a train close to the ship dock that we could catch.

[John Bull]

All can be done by train, though Windsor involves one change, or two depending on the time.

 

Winchester is closest. Two/three trains per hour, journey time variable 15 -35 minutes (express trains & stopping trains), a "cheap day-return" costs £6.70

It's a 20 minute walk from station to city centre/cathedral but you can go via the Great Hall of Winchester Castle (the Great Hall is the only remaining part of the castle), than down past the little West Gate museum.

Taxi rank at the Broadway (near the cathedral) if you don't fancy the walk back up to the station.

Do read-up about the Cathedral's history, the 19th Century deep-sea diver who strengthened the foundations to avoid the cathedral collapsing, and the various people buried in the cathedral, including Jane Austen. And read up about King Alfred, who made Winchester his capital.

 

Salisbury is also very easy, two trains per hour, journey time 30 minutes, cheap day-return fare about £10. Again, the station is a 20 minute walk from the city centre & cathedral. Salisbury is much more laid-back than Winchester.

The cathedral is more imposing than Winchester's, because it has Britain's tallest spire & the cathedral is set in grounds which allow a full view. Altho' it's only about 150 years younger it does seem to have survived in much better condition than Winchester's. It houses an original Magna Carta of 1215AD (think "US Constitution") and a clock made in 1386.

You can combine Stonehenge with Salisbury. Catch the Stonehenge hop-on bus at Salisbury station, the trip to Stonehenge takes about half-an-hour each way, allow yourselves 60 - 90 minutes at Stonehenge. When you catch the hop-on back to Salisbury, jump off in the city centre (cathedral close by). After exploring the centre & cathedral, return to the station by hop-on (if timing is convenient) or bus or taxi or walk.

http://www.thestonehengetour.info/

 

Windsor is rather more difficult, expensive & time-consuming.

2 - 3 trains per hour, one or two train changes, total journey time 1hr 40 to 2hrs 20, £27 to £31 cheap day-return. The station is close to Windsor Castle. Changing the Guard is 11am. Very pleasant town, the "castle" is more a palace than a castle & is still one of the Queen's residences.

Windsor is close to London's Heathrow airport & also en-route to Gatwick, which can tie in for folk flying in or out or staying in London.

 

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

Your departure station is Southampton central, it's a 15 min walk from City cruise terminal or a 5-10 minute, £5 to £8, taxi hop from other cruise terminals.

Buying train tickets in advance will save very little, & creates an advance commitment. Simple enough to ask for a "cheap day-return" at the station. No need to specify a return time.

 

There are a number of other options for your day.

Ferry & bus to Beaulieu's complex of ruined Abbey / Bishop's Palace / National Motor Museum in the New Forest. Or ferry to Cowes onthe Isle of Wight (incl Osborne House). Or Southampton itself has enough of interest for a day. Consider the train to Portsmouth or Bath only if you have a late sailing.

 

JB :)

Edited May 9, 2014 by John Bull

[Bob++]

Can I put in a vote for Salisbury. The cathedral is amazing, and there are some excellent eateries in the City. Take a guided walk around the cathedral if you can - it makes it all come to life.

[sddsddean]

As JB says, although Winchester is closer, I think Salisbury would be a better 'day out'...and its very easy to do.

 

Simon

[alibabacruisers]

Are these doable in January?

[Turtles06]

I'll also put in a plug for Salisbury. The Cathedral is magnificent, and listening to a docent talk about the Magna Carta is an added bonus. Given the amount of time you'll have, you might even get to visit the tower, as well as take in the lovely town as well.

 

Whatever you decide, have a wonderful trip!

 

 

(photo by turtles06)

[sddsddean]

Are these doable in January?

 

Yes, everything is open all year round, but obviously you will be taking pot luck with the weather!

 

Simon

[John Bull]

Yes, everything is open all year round, but obviously you will be taking pot luck with the weather!

 

Simon

 

......... and the days are much shorter. Gets dark around 4.30.

 

JB :)