Cheap flights comparison
- 6 things to do in Southampton
6 things to do in Southampton
Southampton has a rich and compelling history and bears many signs of its past. Let's discover some things to do in the city of Titanic!1- Admire the city walls
The historic center of Southampton is protected by some of the most comprehensive medieval defenses in the country. In 1338 Southampton suffered a French incursion, and later in that century the answer was to review the defenses with a two kilometer barrier, broken by eight gates and reinforced with 29 towers. On the north and west side, a one-kilometer pedestrian circuit has been preserved at Bargate Street, Back of the Walls, Town Quay and Western Esplanade. There are panels that explain the architecture and some of the events that took place in these places and you can climb portions of walls to see the old town.
2- Cross Bargate
The most beautiful relic of the old walls is this gate that dominates the main shopping center of Southampton. First built in limestone and flint at the end of the 12th century, Bargate took its present form a century later, when it was flanked by two powerful drum towers. The south side of the gate, also modified at the time, is much more ornamental, with a row of four pointed arched windows above five Gothic arches. In a niche above the central portal there is a statue of King George III in Roman dress, dating back to 1809, which replaces a wooden representation of Queen Anne reigning in the early 18th century.
3- Take a ferry to Hythe
The best way to see the waters of Southampton is to make the short crossing to the village of Hythe on the west side of the estuary. There is a boat every 30 minutes and the trip takes about 10 minutes. The adventure doesn't stop when you dock on the other side: the Hythe pier stretches from the center of the village to the estuary for 640 meters, making it one of the ten longest piers in the British Isles. The streetcar that runs along this structure also makes it the oldest railway pier in the world, inaugurated in 1909.
4- Visit Southampton City Art Gallery
In the complex of the Civic Art Deco Center, the Southampton City Art Gallery was founded in 1939. The gallery houses a "Designated Collection", considered one of the most solid in the south of England, consisting of 5,000 works covering eight centuries of history. Most of these works are the work of luminaries of 20th century and contemporary British painting, sculpture and photography.5- Admire the gardens of Sir Harold Hillier
6- Visit the medieval Merchant's House
The Medieval Merchant's house is an English heritage property not far from the center of Southampton. The house was built in 1290 by John Fortin, a merchant who traded with Aquitaine, and after centuries of change, the damage of World War II revealed its medieval origins. It was soon purchased by the city council and restored to its 14th century appearance. The owner conducted his business from the facade of the open-air store in the porch, while the goods were stored in the vaulted basement under the building, which maintains a constant and cool temperature all year round.Compare now the offers of flights to Southampton with our search engine!
