Where to Go in Hampshire, South East: Top 15 Attractions & Local Favorites

Annabelle Codali Beautiful park in the cultural area of Southampton and next to the hotel we were staying Leonardo Hotel. It was also behind the shopping main street and next to Primark and Sports Direct. The park itself has beautiful mature trees and plants and the green areas are well managed the only shame is the amount of litter everywhere despite there being rubbish bins everywhere. It also has coffee shops and restaurants adjacent to the park. Definitely worth a visit and appears to be a place for locals to enjoy.

Eranda Janaka The Bargate in Southampton is a fascinating piece of medieval history nestled in the citys heart. The grand architecture and impressive stonework make it a unique landmark, offering a glimpse into Southamptons past. The surrounding area is lively, with shops, cafes, and restaurants, making it a great spot to explore on foot. The information boards provide interesting historical context, which adds depth to the experience. It’s a must-visit in Southampton, especially if you enjoy history and architecture. Perfect for some photos too!

Ann Smith Some incredible art from lesser to world famous artists. Child friendly and very helpful staff. Right next to the library so a great day out for families. Not very large so a nice way to spend an hour or so.

John Lastname very old city walls that have silently witnessed an astounding amount of history from the Normans and Vikings to the Spanish flu and WW2 air raids. The Old Wall is a great example of integrating the past and the future in a cityscape.

Richard Homer On the Western Esplanade next to the town walls, near the Pilgrims’ monument, on past other important landmarks of the city to Queen’s Park. If the highway didn’t exist, it would be perfect walk. (My impression of the city is that there appears to have been little thought or care in blending the modern with the history. A pity, in my opinion.)

Eleanor George What an amazing tour! The actors are so interactive, funny and informative. The added bonus of accessing the vaults is a huge positive. I cant lie, there are a fair few jumps, but it is all worth it. Im going to make the conscious effort to complete them all :)

Nada Khayat Good place to visit

Hannah Wild Wow, what an amazing museum, theres so much to see with lots of interactive bits which is great for kids. The museum is divided into 3 sections, 2 upstairs and one down. One of these is the bit about the Titanic. I was impressed how good this was, in my opinion almost better than the Belfast one. Lots to see and not too much information to be overwhelming. You can spend a good part of the day here and theres an activity trail for kids. The cafe is great and serves delicious sandwiches and pannis which are freshly made. The hot chocolate is also delicious and the staff are so friendly.

Nick Howells Excellent holiday home in the centre of Southampton - 10 Westgate Street - Be Our Guest dot com

Peter Barton A wonderful ruin of an important tower and part of the historic medieval walls of Southampton. The Watergate was a collection point for taxes and duties. It was built in the early 14th century, when goods were unloaded directly onto the shore. The Town Quay, with its wooden crane, was built a hundred years later. The Watergate, except for its western tower, was pulled down in 1804. The walls to the east were demolished in the same century when great warehouses were built and with the increase of traffic.

Eranda Janaka John Hansard Gallery is a fantastic contemporary art space in the heart of Southampton. The exhibitions are always thought-provoking, featuring a diverse range of artists and mediums, from digital installations to traditional visual arts. The gallery consistently brings fresh and engaging perspectives, making each visit a unique experience. The space itself is modern, well-designed, and welcoming. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, always happy to provide insights about the exhibits. Entry is free, which makes it a must-visit spot for art lovers and anyone looking to explore creative expressions in the city. Definitely worth visiting, whether you’re a local or just passing through Southampton!

Celia Morrissey A must-see for Titanic historians. Its lit up beautifully at night too. Take time to read the stories and learn more about the names on the monument before you come and it will be all the more meaningful. There are a few other important monuments all within walking distance including the musicians monument across the street. Be sure to also go to Sea City museum they have some important artifacts and a storyline on display.

tomaš bouma I really liked the Museum, it is very nicely and clearly laid out. I learned a lot of interesting information.

Sankarshan Bhattacharyya Mayflower Park is a very nice park on the eastern bank of the River Test. It is located between the passenger and cargo terminals of the Port of Southampton, and is near the confluence of the rivers Test and Itchen (which together form Southampton Water, which the drains into the Solent in front of the Isle of Wight, and then into the English Channel). The river bank offers spectacular views of the dawn and dusk skies just as the sun sets over the cargo terminal. From time to time, you may even see huge container ships docking at the terminal, which are spectacles in themselves. Looking far enough towards the south, where Southampton Water drains into the Solent, you can see Fawley Refinery, the biggest oil refinery in the UK (I once caught one of the many chimney towers spewing out flames from various gases, and they looked lovely from the distance). There are even ducks that occasionally swim near the bank. Sometimes there may be events taking place on the Mayflower Park that may cause a little bit of noise. When I’m writing this review, the Continental Circus Berlin had a few shows over the course of about 2 or 3 weeks, and the noise was noticeable even near the river bank (even with the large circus tent positioned a few hundred feet away from the bank). And the actual river bank, complete with benches for you to sit on, is rather annoyingly occupied by a car park, on account of the yearly Southampton International Boat Show that takes place here at Mayflower Park (which in itself causes the issue of blocking access to the entire park, while some extremely rich people with too much time and money come and admire ridiculously expensive boats, resulting in us regular people unable to relax at the park for a few weeks in September/October). Overall, though, Mayflower Park is a wonderful park with a huge grassy area if you want a nice little picnic, or if you just want to sit by the river and let your mind get carried away by the beautiful scenery or the ships. Happy visiting!

Stephanie Black Photography I recently visited Solent Sky in Southampton and was genuinely impressed by how much there is to see. It’s a brilliant museum for anyone interested in aviation, history, or just looking for something different to do in the city. The collection is packed with real aircraft, detailed aviation engines, and tons of historical artefacts that tell the story of Southampton’s huge contribution to aviation, especially the iconic flying boats. The displays are excellent and really well curated. Each aircraft is presented with clear, engaging information, and the museum does a great job of explaining how the Solent region became such a major centre for aviation development. The highlight for me was getting up close to the massive flying boat—it’s one thing seeing photos, but standing next to the real thing gives you a whole new appreciation for its scale and engineering. I also loved how the museum uses mannequins set in scenes to bring different eras of flight to life. It adds a fun and immersive touch, showing what life looked like for pilots, engineers and passengers at the time. It’s both educational and genuinely enjoyable to explore. There are also smaller rooms filled with engines, uniforms, documents, and other artefacts that show the human side of aviation history. You can easily spend a couple of hours taking everything in. Overall, Solent Sky is a fantastic museum with passionate curation and a fascinating collection. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in Southampton, whether you’re an aviation fan or just curious ✈️