3 nights in London and 1 in Southampton before a cruise?
Apr 14th, 2010, 05:50 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
3 nights in London and 1 in Southampton before a cruise?
Hi fellow fodorites,
I’m heading to London in the fall of 2011 (yes, doing some early research) and would like spend 3 or 4 nights in London before heading to Southampton to go on a cruise with a bunch of friends. The last time I was in London was in 2005.
Our ship departs at 4:45pm, and I understand it takes 2-3 hours to get from London to Southampton, so I’m thinking it might be best to spend 1 night in Southampton, unless there are trains or buses that go between both places every hour or so. I read through the postings, which there were commments to avoid Southampton (not much to see/do). I don’t like to get to the port ‘last minute’ so thinking of getting to Southampton in the afternoon to see what there is to see.
Do you have hotel recommendations for Southampton? I don’t want to spend over $200, if possible.
Another option is to find a town near Southampton and spend the night there....as long as it's easy to get to the port for our cruise.
Thanks!
Monica
I’m heading to London in the fall of 2011 (yes, doing some early research) and would like spend 3 or 4 nights in London before heading to Southampton to go on a cruise with a bunch of friends. The last time I was in London was in 2005.
Our ship departs at 4:45pm, and I understand it takes 2-3 hours to get from London to Southampton, so I’m thinking it might be best to spend 1 night in Southampton, unless there are trains or buses that go between both places every hour or so. I read through the postings, which there were commments to avoid Southampton (not much to see/do). I don’t like to get to the port ‘last minute’ so thinking of getting to Southampton in the afternoon to see what there is to see.
Do you have hotel recommendations for Southampton? I don’t want to spend over $200, if possible.
Another option is to find a town near Southampton and spend the night there....as long as it's easy to get to the port for our cruise.
Thanks!
Monica
Apr 14th, 2010, 06:00 AM
#2
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is no need to travel to Southampton the day before. Trains leave Waterloo Station in London every 20 or 30 minutes and take around 1 hour 20 minutes to Southmapton. The docks are barely a five or ten minute taxi ride away from the station. Southampton is a port, a city with shops and that's about it. If you have never been to London before, don't lose a day of your vacation by getting to Southampton a moment too soon.
Apr 14th, 2010, 06:43 AM
#3
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you want to spend a night or 2 out of London en route to Southhampton, consider Winchester. I've been wanting to go there ever since I read a trip report here by Daniel Williams. (I tried to find a link for you but can't; the posting was in July, 2009.) Anyway it sounds a perfect small English town, easy to get to from London by train and easy to get to Southhampton from.
Apr 14th, 2010, 10:41 AM
#5
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah, Winchester is lovely but I'd still spend the 4 nights before the cruise in London.
You could still easily get to Southampton for lunch or even after an early lunch in London if you wish and have plenty of time before your cruise.
You could still easily get to Southampton for lunch or even after an early lunch in London if you wish and have plenty of time before your cruise.
Apr 14th, 2010, 10:51 AM
#6
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 12,582
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Winchester is lovely but I'd still spend the 4 nights before the cruise in London. >>>
I love both, but if it was a flying visit I think seeing something other than London could appeal. If so Winchester's a brilliant idea.
We have electric light and stuff there these days you know.
Plus the best Cathedral in England (which is a bit like having the best renaisance painting in Italy - ie bloody good.)
I love both, but if it was a flying visit I think seeing something other than London could appeal. If so Winchester's a brilliant idea.
We have electric light and stuff there these days you know.
Plus the best Cathedral in England (which is a bit like having the best renaisance painting in Italy - ie bloody good.)
Apr 14th, 2010, 12:28 PM
#7
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 19,881
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<<< Plus the best Cathedral in England >>>
Having Jane Austen buried there doesn't make it the best cathedral in England.
In any case everyone knows the best cathedral in England is Durham. It has a real Saint buried there - none of these johnny-come-lately types from after the First Millennium. It was also one of the first buildings in the UK to become a World Heritage Site - even before the Tower of London & Westminster Abbey
Having Jane Austen buried there doesn't make it the best cathedral in England.
In any case everyone knows the best cathedral in England is Durham. It has a real Saint buried there - none of these johnny-come-lately types from after the First Millennium. It was also one of the first buildings in the UK to become a World Heritage Site - even before the Tower of London & Westminster Abbey
Apr 15th, 2010, 08:25 AM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks everyone for your comments. I really appreciate it. Will definitely spend all my time in London. I was there for 3 nights back in 2005. My husband Tony, if he can go with me on this trip, has never been to London, so I think it will be best to stay put there.
I'm glad to know the train goes frequently. We could go early in the morning, drop off our luggage at the port and see a little of Southampton before sailing.
Back in 2005, I got my hotel via priceline, Thistle Charing Cross, which I really enjoyed. Price was great too ($125/night). I have plenty of to find a hotel or B&B for this trip (and for my friends that will be with me) but if you have any to recommend (preferably under $200/night) I'd like to hear them; I will search through the Fodors discussions for suggestions too.
Thanks!
Monica
I'm glad to know the train goes frequently. We could go early in the morning, drop off our luggage at the port and see a little of Southampton before sailing.
Back in 2005, I got my hotel via priceline, Thistle Charing Cross, which I really enjoyed. Price was great too ($125/night). I have plenty of to find a hotel or B&B for this trip (and for my friends that will be with me) but if you have any to recommend (preferably under $200/night) I'd like to hear them; I will search through the Fodors discussions for suggestions too.
Thanks!
Monica
Sep 11th, 2010, 08:33 AM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,465
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Monica,
You may have already made up your mind about what you're going to do, but in case you haven't... In my opinion, really you could go either way with this one. I tend to not like to be packing and unpacking repeatedly, so I'd probably opt to stay in London for the full 3/4 nights before your cruise for this reason alone.
That said, Winchester I thought a lovely town with countryside and riverwalks close-at-hand from the heart of the town centre and a nice change of pace from the hecticness of especially Central London. Winchester Cathedral is a world treasure as far as I'm concerned. Winchester would be a fine place to spend a night or two (or more) say I.
I spent 5 nights in Southampton (as a base exploring elsewhere in Southern England) and think the town gets a bit overly slagged. I thought that Southampton (despite some charmless sections) was a walker's town that does have its positive aspects. There are some pleasant parks, lovely old churches, some good restaurants, a lively street market near the Bargate and a few interesting museums. I enjoyed the God's House Museum (on Southampton history) and the Medieval Merchant's House in particular. Several large sections of Medieval walls and gatehouses remain, and similarly to the ruins of ancient civilizations I've seen in Mexico would leave me with an eerie "you're somewhere where people living in very different times have tread" shiver, conjuring possibly exaggerated images of the town's former incarnation in my mind.
If your cruise left earlier in the day, with appropriate expectations, I'd say there's nothing wrong with spending your last night in Southampton in my opinion. Seeing as your cruise leaves late afternoon though, I'd probably opt for staying in London or using Winchester, depending on what you're looking for.
Best wishes, Daniel
You may have already made up your mind about what you're going to do, but in case you haven't... In my opinion, really you could go either way with this one. I tend to not like to be packing and unpacking repeatedly, so I'd probably opt to stay in London for the full 3/4 nights before your cruise for this reason alone.
That said, Winchester I thought a lovely town with countryside and riverwalks close-at-hand from the heart of the town centre and a nice change of pace from the hecticness of especially Central London. Winchester Cathedral is a world treasure as far as I'm concerned. Winchester would be a fine place to spend a night or two (or more) say I.
I spent 5 nights in Southampton (as a base exploring elsewhere in Southern England) and think the town gets a bit overly slagged. I thought that Southampton (despite some charmless sections) was a walker's town that does have its positive aspects. There are some pleasant parks, lovely old churches, some good restaurants, a lively street market near the Bargate and a few interesting museums. I enjoyed the God's House Museum (on Southampton history) and the Medieval Merchant's House in particular. Several large sections of Medieval walls and gatehouses remain, and similarly to the ruins of ancient civilizations I've seen in Mexico would leave me with an eerie "you're somewhere where people living in very different times have tread" shiver, conjuring possibly exaggerated images of the town's former incarnation in my mind.
If your cruise left earlier in the day, with appropriate expectations, I'd say there's nothing wrong with spending your last night in Southampton in my opinion. Seeing as your cruise leaves late afternoon though, I'd probably opt for staying in London or using Winchester, depending on what you're looking for.
Best wishes, Daniel
Nov 23rd, 2010, 01:54 PM
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just thought I'd give an update. Will now be spending 4 nights in London and then bus to the port the morning of our cruise. The extra day in London I will be heading to Stonehenge! I've always wanted to go there and see it. May do a tour from London or on my own via public transportation. I think I can make a full day and include time in Salisbury.
Monica
Monica
