AnnM-any ideas on the best sections to live at around the Marine Science/Oceanography Center by the water? We are hoping to go over and see the school but DD would rather not live in unversity housing at the main campus and have to have a meal plan since she will be a graduate student.thanks!

Hi dutyfree,

I had a look at the uni web-site accommodaition secction and there is definitely some self-catering - see:

http://www.soton.ac.uk/accommodation/halls/index.html

as she is from overseas, being on campus but self-catering would be the way to go, IMHO.

regards, ann

We would like to do a trip within the next month to Southampton to check out the school and find out about the off campus housing. Any suggestions about things to do or see OR hotel suggestions nearer the Oceanographic Centre?
DD doesn't want to live on main campus with undergrads and is interested in off campus apartment living closer to the Oceanography Centre but school says that it is all private apartments we would need to check out. Thoughts?

Also-would you fly into LHR or LGW and secure train or car transport from there? I usually stay in Crawley so was wondering if that would be the best to spend the night in and then leave for the school?

I find the journey to Heathrow easier. Cheapest way down would be the national express coach. All the post grad students I know share private flats etc. They usually find these by word of mouth. I believe there is a section on the university website, but all I could find was effectively what you already know.

Things to do and see in Southampton itself? There is a small museum, and a medieval merchants house. The shopping is fair by UK standards. Most of the attractions are outside the city - The New forest, Winchester or Salisbury would be my choices.

Thanks for the info Willit.Now to try and find a way and day to get to LHR.

I've run businesses in both - S'hampton has no great coastline, of harbours rocks etc, but it is in easy reach of London and has London prices Hampshire is one of the richest counties in UK. It IS of course in close proximity to both Hamble and Lymington -the sailing Meccas

Plymouth is a navy town emerging from centuries dominated by the navy who are now dwindling in numbers - the infamous Union street made Southampton's Derby road look like a girl-guides' pinnic. But even that has been shortened and to some extent tamed.
Plymouth is pout on a limb geographically and as such has to make it's own entertainment.
from a sailing point of view I prefer it - more sailing and less snobbery.

The countryside around Plymouth is probably some of the most varied and beautiful in the UK - the town itself - was ALSO bombed to buggery in the war and the re-development leaves a lot to be desired.

If I was to choose, I'd go for Plymouth - lots of "studenty" entertainment, easier access to boats and great countryside.

Don't forget to sample an "Ivor Dewdney" "Oggie"-and-beans when you're in Plymouth....it may decide for you - either way!

khunwilko, the OP posted way back in February. AFAIK they subsequently decided on Southampton.

Thanks everyone-she has decided to go to the University of Southampton as the National Oceanography Centre of the UK is right there and there are more opportunities for her. This will actually work out for me as I can bid Heathrow layovers and she can take the train to London and visit-or is it just bringing staples from the US?

As UK universities start in Sept/Oct I thought it might be useful to her and any others to do a quick comparison.
Many years ago I was an Entertainments/music business in S'hampton, but I'm afraid that any info I had in that area is long out of date.

Just a quick update...

My 18yo daughter is now going to Southampton Solent University (on September 19th - so soon!)

Anyway, just a thought, if your daughter would like a contact in the same town, if not the same university, then post back and maybe they can get in touch via facebook or even good old email!

Julia-just saw your note on the other thread. Good luck to both you and your daughter on her starting college-its just as hard as kindergarten I think in regards to letting go?
I am excited for my DD about Southampton as she has a great apartment down near the water and will have lots of interesting courses in the next year to get her masters degree completed.She starts school at the end of September so we will have a week at Ikea to decorate her apartment before we come back to the states-cannot wait!
All the best to you on this new journey with your daughter!