Hi - I will be staying at my boyfriends place from Dec22-25th in Southampton this year, spending Christmas there. Being completely unfamiliar with the area, I would love to hear from the UK pros. He left many many years back and doesnt know the area around there much anymore.

Are there day trips we can take around Southampton. What can we do around there?

Any recommended restaurants? Pubs? I will take anything

Thanks all.

Go to Brighton for the day, it's by no means nearby (50 or more miles), but is a great place.

Portsmouth is historic and might also be worth a vist. Southampton itself lacks everything, not even a decent shop.

If you like fine old town,Winchester is only less than 30 minutes train ride.

If you enjoy ourdoor activities, New Forest(1/2 hour bus)is ideal for walking or cycling, even in the winder.

Or take the ferry to Isle of Wight.

The dullness of Southampton is no fault of the post-war city fathers. The Nazis rightly saw the port as likely base for the freeing of the Continent, and spent years bombing it. When Britons, Canadians and Americans brought us peace there was no money for anything but basic rebuilding.

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At that time of year it gets light very late and dark very early - so factor that into your plans. I have always used it as an excuse to spend more time at the Pub!

Oh yeah - pubs.. thats one thing my boyfriend says are welcoming reprieve from the otherwise cold winters

Thanks all.

Have noted Brighton, Isle of Wight and Winchester down.

Hey, wombat, which pubs and which hotel nearby ? In case we can't walk too far !

If you've got access to a car and you don't mind the cold then drive into the New Forest which is on your doorstep. A really beatuiful part of the country. As mentioned by others there's also (from nearest to furthest)

Winchester (about 20 mins up the M3)the home of King Arthur's Round Table (if you believe the tourist brochures), Beautiful Cathedral, shopping

Portsmouth & Southsea (30mins on the M27) the Mary Rose, HMS Victory and all the naval history

Chichester (20 mins on from Portsmouth) Roman town, good shopping

Brighton (about 45 mins on from Chichester) The Lanes for shopping, The Pavillion for sight seeing although no Pier anymore . You could add in Arundel Castle on that trip. It was used in all the old movies to portray Camelot.

If you don't have a car then you can get to all of these places by train except the New Forest but it'll take quite a bit longer. They're all good places especially compared to Southampton.

If you are feeling really adventurous and have a car then get a map, go up the M3 to Winchester and head West. There are some beautiful villages on the back roads. Of course that depends on the weather (given the time of year).

Thankyou AndyinDublin. We will have a car. Yes - the weather is a consideration. But boyfriend tells me it will still be beautiful around the countryside.
I guess, we will boot up, warm up and head West.

Thanks again.

andyindublin, the Palace Pier is still operating in Brighton. It was the unused West Pier that burnt a couple of years ago.

Salisbury is about 25 miles from Southampton. Bath about 60.

Wow ...

Why all the anti-Southampton posts !!!

Don't be put off by all these comments against Southampton .... I live down the road & I like it.

It has West Quay shopping centre, which is one of the biggest inner city shopping centres in the UK. Lots of good shops .... about 80 or so. Some of the top stores in Europe are there.

There are some good clubs, bars, pubs, excellent places to eat out ... try Oxford Street which has a number of good resturants.

It has a number of multiplex cinemas which show all the latest films. Leisure world has a number of resturants, 12 cinemas, 3 night clubs & a couple of bars !!

If you like football then you can visit St Mary's (home of Saints) & do a tour or even watch a game (mind you the way we are playing at the mo, well maybe I give that a miss !!)

You can catch the train to the New Forest or Winchester or get on the boat across to the Isle of Wight.

As far as I'm concerned you'll have plenty to do for 3 days .... remember that little will be open on Christmas day.

Try going to resturant on Christmas day & have Christmas dinner out ??

Mark

Hi Jsplumm - thanks for the post..
Will definitely consider eating out on Christmas day.
And thanks for your suggestions on what we can do in Southampton for 3 days.

Appreciate your post.

Hi ...

If you tell me what kind of food you like, I give you some recommendations for Southampton

Mark

Hi Isplumm - as far as food goes, am open to a variety..

Italian, French, Indian, Chinese...