Where is Southampton?
Southampton sits to the west of Portsmouth and to the east of Bournemouth, being situated along the Hampshire coast.
It’s the city closest to the New Forest National Park, being a little over half an hour’s drive away. The national park is known for its scenic hiking routes and the ponies native to the area.
Transport in Southampton
Southampton has a 4-platform railway station - Southampton Central – which is situated in its city centre.
From Southampton Central, there are several services a day to the likes of Bournemouth, Brighton, Weymouth, and Poole, as well as to places like Portsmouth and Southsea.
The M3 also passes through the city, connecting it to London. It takes about an hour and a half to get from Southampton to London.
Southampton also has its very own airport and there’s a regular ferry service between Southampton and the Isle of Wight.
Shopping in Southampton
West Quay is Southampton’s main retail district, with the harbour parade being home to about 130 different outlets and independent stores, including the likes of John Lewis, BOSS, Goldsmiths, H.Samuel, and Apple. The area also boasts a wide selection of restaurants and cafés, including the likes of Costa, Wagamama, Five Guys, Krispy Kreme and Bubbleology.
In the city centre itself, you’ll find the likes of Next, Urban Outfitters and Poundland, as well as the likes of Waterstones and Forbidden Planet, both within 5 minutes’ walk of Southampton Central Station.
Things to do in Southampton
Affectionately referred to as “The Green City”, Southampton is home to a considerable number of parks, including Southampton Common and Houndwell Park; both of which feature lovely family-friendly playgrounds.
Being a port city, several of Southampton's most prominent attractions also revolve around sailing.
SeaCity for example, is one of Southampton’s more popular museums, and it provides an immersive experience where visitors can experience the life story of the RMS Titanic – with the famously doomed ship having been constructed in Southampton.
Other highlights of the city include its scuba diving school and its Solent Sky Museum – which showcases the iconic Spitfire plane - a legendary wartime plane first constructed in Southampton.
There’s plenty of family friendly fun to be had at the Mayflower Theatre, which regularly puts on light and cheerful pantomimes throughout the year.
Some of the best places to live in or around Southampton
An urban city that manages not to lack when it comes to having adequate greenery, Southampton status as one of Hampshire’s more desirable cities is well deserved, however there are also several quieter, more residential towns and villages that surround the city, that still allow for an easy commute into the city centre but offer the added benefit of being slightly removed from some its busier parts.
Below are just some of the places worth considering:
Botley
Situated along the River Hamble, Botley is a village about 7 miles east of Southampton, with nature reserves surrounding it.
Bordered by both the River Hamble Country Park and the Swanswick Lakes Nature Reserve, Botley is perfect if you prefer a place with a more traditional, communal feel – with the village having its own community centre, as well as a nice selection of pubs and restaurants.
Explore some of the properties we have available in Botley
Netley
A village by the sea, Netley is a village with its own shingle beach.
Situated less than 10 minutes’ drive from the suburban neighbourhoods of Woolston, Netley is known for its storied architecture, with its train station’s building over a century old and the imposing ruins of its famous abbey giving the village a certain gravitas that distinguishes it from other villages in the area.
The Royal Victoria Country Park is a highlight of the village, with the former hospital site now home to a heritage site and several tea rooms.
Just 15 minutes’ drive from Southampton city centre, Netley is a great option for those needing to regularly commute to and from the city.
Ocean Village
A coastal neighbourhood by the Ocean Village Marina, the Ocean Village is a modern neighbourhood slightly more geared towards singles and couples rather than those with larger families, with the area largely populated by apartment blocks rather than standalone houses.
Having said that, with it being less than 20 minutes’ walk from the Southampton city centre, and only about 5 minutes’ drive away, it is perfect for those without kids who want to enjoy easy proximity to the city’s many attractions without enduring the associated price tag.
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