What to do in Southampton

[Normandie-BCN]

I am arriving to Southampton the day before embarking. Our embarcation time is 3 pm. How could we spend the morning in Southampton or thereabouts until 3 pm.

 

Thanks for your ideas!

[pondhopper]

There are lots of little museums around the area, the titanic museum, the tudor house museum, the wall museum all near the docks by West Quay (pronounced "kEY"). Myself I would think about getting out of Southampton, take a drive to the New Forest (Beaulieu is close, nice pub, some history on a delightful walk to Buckler's Hard or the auto museum). My personal preference would be hop a 20 minute train to Winchester, see the Cathedral, the King Arthur round table, Wolvsey castle ruins, the Hospital of Saint Cross and getting the "Wayfarer's Dole", enjoy a nice lunch in the many pubs and then the short ride back to Southampton and the free shuttle from the train to the docks.

[Normandie-BCN]

I am going with my mother who uses a collapsible weelchair. Is it possible go by train to Winchester?

 

Are near Southampton some garden worth visitinn middle June?

 

Thanks for your advise.

[KarenR_UK]

Yes, trains go to Winchester from Southampton

see http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk

 

For Gardens, the only one I know of (which doesn't mean there aren't others) is Exbury Gardens - http://www.exbury.co.uk/exbury/index.htm

 

on their web site they say

"CAR - FREE TRANSPORT TO EXBURY GARDENS FROM LONDON AND LOCALLY

 

TRAIN: South West trains leave London Waterloo and take approx 1 ¼ hours to reach Southampton. From Southampton, it is possible to take a Passenger Ferry to Hythe, 6 miles from Exbury, and then catch a taxi. http://www.hytheferry.co.uk tel: 023 8084 0722

You may wish to stay on the South West train to Brockenhurst Station (approx 1 ½ hours travelling time from London) as there is a taxi rank immediately outside. South West Trains also link Brockenhurst with Basingstoke, Winchester, Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth.

Virgin Cross Country Trains connect with Reading, Oxford, Banbury, Coventry, Birmingham and all points further north.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/planmyjourney tel: 08457 484950

 

BUS: From 26th May until 2nd September, the New Forest Open Tour Bus visits the Gardens eight times a day. Operated by SolentBlueLine. Visitors entering the Gardens and using the Bus are entitled to a FREE ride on the Exbury Gardens Steam Railway.

http://www.newforesttour.info tel: 02380 614459

 

BY BUS AND COACH: An interchange at Brockenhurst links the railway with regular Wilts and Dorset buses (01202 673555). Solent Blue Line & The New Forest Open Top Bus Tour and National Express all link in here.

 

ORGANISED TOURS: Whilst many visitors choose to visit Exbury as part of an organised tour, these are irregular and unfortunately none of the out-of-London Day Visit Coach Operators currently include Exbury in their regular itineraries.

However, the Exbury Estate Office keeps a record of planned day-trips by operators and we would be pleased to advise of any trips that may coincide with planned itineraries.

There is a section on the Exbury website which lists those operators visiting the Gardens who welcome bookings. Please call 023 8089 1203 or e-mail nigel.philpott@exbury.co.uk

 

TAXI

A special price has been offered by “Our Friends in the South Taxis” to visit Exbury from either Hythe Pier - Exbury £10.00 each way; or Brockenhurst Station - Exbury £15.00 each way.

These represent considerable savings on the meter rates (approx £13.00 from Hythe and £21.00 from Brockenhurst) and may provide an affordable and sustainable alternative to visitors bringing their own cars. “Our Friends in the South Taxis” run on 100% biodiesel for cleaner travel, seat 5 passengers and are wheelchair accessible. maxine@ourfriendsinthesouth.com tel: 02380 890451

 

GUIDED TOURS OF THE NEW FOREST

Available via Hidden Britain Tours. Explore the New Forest with a Hampshire Ambassador as guide, in a luxury seven seater people carrier. Departs from Lyndhurst Vistor Centre or elsewhere by arrangement.

To book, tel: 023 8028 2269 or 01256 814222, email: info@hiddenbritaintours.co.uk or visit http://www.hiddenbritaintours.co.uk"

 

or you could use taxis for the complete journey, there are a number of taxi companies in Southampton - I use a company called ATS (http://www.atstaxis.co.uk/ - the web site & there for the prices are a bit out of date, but they are still going strong)

 

Visit Southampton (http://www.visit-southampton.co.uk/ - http://www.visit-southampton.co.uk/site/sightseeing-and-tours/taxi-tours) says "Southampton has a rich and diverse history and is surrounded by wonderful places of scenic beauty and historical interest all within easy driving distance, tours can be tailor made to meet your requirements."

They recommend West Quay Cars : http://www.westquaycars.com/

 

also on the site http://www.visit-southampton.co.uk/site/visitors-with-disabilities

 

Hope some of this helps

 

Karen

[Shogun]

Hi There,

 

Where can we store our bags will have a full day to spend in Southampton, getting in at 7.00am not sailing until evening.

 

yours Shogun

[Normandie-BCN]

Thanks for the information, Karen.

[KarenR_UK]

Hi There,

 

Where can we store our bags will have a full day to spend in Southampton, getting in at 7.00am not sailing until evening.

 

yours Shogun

 

Didn't see your question at the time - it took a while researching exbury - especially when I closed the page with my answer on it, and had to start again.:D

 

BUT by co-incidence during that research I came up with a little snippet which might be useful http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=557647 :)

 

Karen

[cb747]

Shogun,

 

I have been all over looking for a City Map of Southampton (Book Store, Library and Internet. I'd like to see the distance from the Coach Station, hotel, pier, shopping center. etc and cannot find a map. I did find a web site but would have to cut and paste to get what I'm looking for. Any ideas? Chantal

[The Monocled Mutineer]

Coach station to:

 

Mayflower Terminal - 1+ mile

City Terminal - < 1 mile

QEII Terminal - 1 mile

Shopping Centre - a couple of hundred yards

 

What hotel are you staying at?

[KarenR_UK]

On http://www.visit-southampton.co.uk/

there are some basic maps

 

http://www.visit-southampton.co.uk/site/maps-of-southampton

all the places you mention are on this one

http://www.visit-southampton.co.uk/dbimgs/SouthamptonCityCentre.pdf

 

Coach Station - towards the centre left

hotel - obviously depends which one it is :)

pier - again depends which terminal (there are 3 - details of all 3 including maps available from http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/cruise_ship.asp), but generally the Mayflower and City Terminals are in the Western Docks and the QEII terminal is in the Eastern Docks on one of the downward pointing bits - http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/files/qeii.pdf.

shopping center - the area between Civic Centre Road, Portland Terrace, Kingsway and East Street (hiding under the Bargate Shopping Centre Legend) is the shopping area - there are 3 main malls, Marlands, Bargate and West Quay - the West Quay one is the major one.

 

if its a printed map you want, try contacting the Tourist information office (see http://www.visit-southampton.co.uk/site/contact-us) & see if they can help

 

Hope some of this helps

 

Karen

[cb747]

You are all most helpful with your time and information. Many Thanks, Chantal

[Normandie-BCN]

Thanks for your help!

[cb747]

I'm booked at two hotels in Southampton Holiday Inn Express (No A/C) on Red bridge Place and the Holiday Inn A/C) on Herbert Walker. The Holiday Inn is $100 more than the HI Express, which I can't seem to locate on the map. Do you know these hotels and if so, what are your thoughts? Many thanks. Chantal

[MINIDRVR]

I'm booked at two hotels in Southampton Holiday Inn Express (No A/C) on Red bridge Place and the Holiday Inn A/C) on Herbert Walker. The Holiday Inn is $100 more than the HI Express, which I can't seem to locate on the map. Do you know these hotels and if so, what are your thoughts? Many thanks. Chantal

 

Chantal if you want to check out the Holiday Inn on Herbert Walker go to Wakelover's site - www.wakelover.co.uk - she has a great review including that holtel since they stayed at it. We're thinking about staying there next year when we do our WB TA.

 

Joyce

[cb747]

Many thanks. Chantal

[DougH]

Karen I am spending a couple of nights in Southampton before my cruise in Sept and plan a day in Winchester and one in Portsmouth. I'm staying at the Hotel Ibis and planned on taking the National Express bus from Heathrow, and then using it to get to Winchester. Is the train a better option for Winchester, and how far is the train station from the Ibis? I know the National terminal is very close.

 

Was going to use the Solent shurttle for the day in Portsmouth. Days for my visit will be a Friday and Saturday, any preference on which town to visit on what day?

 

Doug

[cb747]

Doug,

 

I'm sailing out of Southampton on 8/9 and am also planning on going to Winchester. If you don't get a response from someone who knows if the bus or train is best, I'll let you know when I return. Chantal

[carlmm]

I'm staying at the Hotel Ibis and planned on taking the National Express bus from Heathrow, and then using it to get to Winchester. Is the train a better option for Winchester, and how far is the train station from the Ibis? I know the National terminal is very close.

 

I used the National Express coach from Heathrow to Winchester last year. It was the best option, a direct and fast transfer. To get the train from Heathrow, one needs to take a bus first.

[carlmm]

I used the National Express coach from Heathrow to Winchester last year. It was the best option, a direct and fast transfer. To get the train from Heathrow, one needs to take a bus first.

 

Re-reading your question I might have misunderstood it. You will stay in Southampton and just want to go to Winchester for one day?

In this case, again from Heathrow to Southampton the National Express coach is the best option, yet from Southampton to Winchester I would take the train. It runs very frequently and is fast. In Winchester the train station is on the opposite side of the city centre than the coach stop. Both are convenient for sightseeing.

In Southampton you can also reach the train station by walking.

[DougH]

Thanks for the advice on the train, looks like it also might be a good option for the day in Portsmouth.

 

Doug

[pondhopper]

By all means take the train! far more options (miss one and wait 15 minutes max for the next one). The trains will take you easily to both Winchester and Portsmouth (about 20 minutes for the first and 35 minutes for the second). The walk from Ibis to the train station is the same as the walk from Ibis to the Bus depot (just slightly different angles form the hotel, left v right). The trains will gladly and helpfully arrange wheelchair access for you at all the attended stations (Southampton Central, Winchester, Portsmouth are all attended). The walk from Winchester to the center of town is just shy of a mile and a pretty walk if you start up hill from the station and walking down into town, shorter to walk down from the station and a pleasant walk you just don't pass the old West Gate, Palace Great Hall, Butter Cross, etc). Winchester has a park and go shuttle (blue and red) to take you to the center of town (£.50 pp) and a city hopper bus (white and green or green and white depending on age of bus) for £.20pp.(those prices are $1.00 and $0.40 respectively). Southampton has a free shuttle to get you to the docks and shopping - don't know off hand what the closest to Ibis would be but its all of about 100 yards anyway.

[pondhopper]

Arrrgh, posted this reply but it got lost in cyber space:

 

Take the train to WInchester and Portsmouth, they are fast and frequent, miss one there will be another one shortly. The train to Winchester takes 20 minutes (30 minutes with all local stops, 15 minutes on a direct) and the train to Portsmouth is about 35 minutes. The staff at attended stations will gladly help you with wheel chair ramps to keep things easy, just ask. Southampton, Winchester, Portsmouth are all large stations with attendants so you won't have any trouble (ps don't make the mistake many do, Southampton Airport is NOT the main Southampton station - you want Southampton Central). The walk to the train station from Ibis is about 100 yards (same distance as the National Express depot - just 45 degrees to left versus 45 degrees to the right). The walk to Winchester center from Winchester station is about .6 of a mile (just over half). The walk is lovely if you go up from the station then down as you will pass the Great Hall, West Gate, Butter Cross etc. Its shorter and easier to go down the hill and still a nice walk and you can hit all of those at your leisure anyway. Winchester has frequent buses to take you to the center and there are taxis. The buses (blue and red = £0.50 pp; green and white = £0.20pp) they are not equiped with wheel chair ramps generally though most of the taxis are.

[DougH]

Thanks Pondhopper, sure sounds like the train is the way to go. I was fixed on the bus as I knew the station was close to the Ibis, had not realized the train station was right there also.

 

Doug

[pondhopper]

Just heard this morning that the construciton on the train line to Portsmouth won't be finished until October now (was supposed to be March) so there are long delays there - I would still take the train but check schedules first! Just FYI.