Things to do in Southampton

Old Town and town walls

The Bargate marks the historic entrance to the Old Town. From here, the self-guided Walk the Walls trail follows surviving medieval defences, gates and towers through streets shaped by Southampton’s trading past. The outdoor trail is free; visiting a museum along the way is a separate choice.

Tudor House & Garden faces St Michael’s Square. Its timber-framed frontage belongs to a house formed from earlier cottages, while the garden gives access to the remains of the older King John’s Palace. Looking at the building from the square and exploring its rooms are different visits: the interior and garden form a museum with admission and opening hours.

An outdoor walk suits a day when the streets and surviving walls are the main interest. It does not require fitting several museums into the same outing. Raised wall sections and historic interiors should not be assumed to offer a continuous step-free route.

Museums by interest

SeaCity Museum, at the Civic Centre on Havelock Road, tells Southampton’s Titanic story through the people of the city. It also covers the city’s wider history in Gateway to the World and Southampton Stories. It is the natural choice for an indoor visit centred on the port and its communities.

Solent Sky is on Albert Road South. Its collection includes a Spitfire, a Schneider Trophy racing seaplane and the large Sandringham flying boat. Aircraft and aviation engineering are its focus, rather than the Titanic.

Tudor House concentrates on domestic life and the history of one Old Town building. Its reconstructed knot garden is part of the attraction, so a visit combines indoor rooms with outdoor space. For a wet day, SeaCity or Solent Sky provides a more clearly indoor focus. The museums have different Sunday hours, and Tudor House closes on Wednesdays.

For outings beyond the city, day trips from Southampton compares Winchester, the New Forest, Salisbury and Stonehenge with the Isle of Wight.