Port guide: Southampton, UK

This is one of Europe’s busiest cruise ports, but its chief attraction is getting out of it to the many top sights in the surroundings.

Who goes there

Almost 2 million passengers a year make this one of the world’s busiest cruise ports. Cunard, Celebrity Cruises, P&O Cruises UK and Royal Caribbean homeport ships here during the summer season, and many other lines regularly sail in and out. Repositioning cruises link northern Europe with the Mediterranean or North America. Most regular cruises operate British Isles, Norway, Iceland or Baltic itineraries.

Sail on in

The Ocean Village Marina, Southampton.Getty Images

The sail into Southampton along The Solent follows a renowned sea lane, but isn’t that grand in reality. You’ll see low-lying hills, Portsmouth’s unexpected Spinnaker Tower (which looks as if it belongs in Dubai), plus yachting town Cowes and Queen Victoria’s summer retreat Osbourne House on the Isle of Wight. Southampton is a scrappy city that no longer presents an historical face to the sea.

Berth rites

There are five passenger cruise terminals usually associated with particular cruise companies – but not always, so check where your ship is docked. None are any great shakes, and you’ll pass through swiftly and efficiently. Mayflower and QEII terminals are furthest from the city centre. From City, Ocean and Horizon terminals you can walk into the city centre, but the train station is a bit far with luggage.

Before and after

You have many good reasons to stay over in this region, but no reason to linger in Southampton itself. Instead, position yourself in Salisbury (40 minutes by train) or Winchester (20 minutes), both close enough to ensure timely arrival for your cruise, and both delightful historical small cities with splendid cathedrals and a very English air.

Going ashore

Avenue of oaks on Southampton Common.iStock

Southampton has always been at the centre of English and British maritime history but, thanks to comprehensive World War II bombing, only a few leftover stubs of fortifications remain. West Quay close to the most central cruise terminals is a lively pedestrianised shopping hub where you can get a coffee or lunch, but has a bland look and too many chain restaurants, so is unlikely to excite you much.

Don’t miss

If it’s maritime history you want, and you have the time, head to the Historic Dockyards of Portsmouth, 30 kilometres away, for a superb collection of famous historic ships including the Tudor-era Mary Rose, Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory, and Victoria-era naval steamship HMS Warrior. You’ll also find modern ships and submarines. You can clamber around all of them, and talk to well-informed volunteers about life aboard in the bad old days.

Get active

Southampton has good cycle ways, one of which (SCN1, the yellow route) runs past the docks and links up with others further into the city. You can cycle all the way into the New Forest if you’re keen on a long ride. Walkers will enjoy Southampton Central Parks, a string of five conservation-listed Victoria-era parks dotted with statues and laid out with flowerbeds and avenues of trees.

Retail therapy

West Quay and Town Quay are the shopping heartlands with mostly international-branded shops. You can nosey out a few interesting alternatives, however, such as Vinilo Record Store, Southampton Comics and quirky vintage-clothing store Beatnik Emporium. Hobgoblin Music stocks unusual musical instruments – worth a look, although you aren’t likely to fit a mandolin or zither into your suitcase.

Further afield

Southampton has abundant excursion options that range from Stonehenge (usually combined with Salisbury) to Windsor Castle. Historical cities such as Winchester and Bath might also be on the agenda. The New Forest or the Cotswolds provide countryside, although the latter is a 90-minute coach ride each way.

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