Southampton isn’t just a place on the UK map; it’s an invitation to immerse yourself in history, embrace culture, and have a mini break without leaving England. Just a 2 hour drive or 90 minutes on the train from London, this vibrant city is set on the harbour and gives all the holiday vibes – in summer. Just to caveat I could be a little bias. When I stayed here we were still in the throws of the pandemic – the fear of track and trace, test on return and ever changing rules abroad and here meant I didn’t feel safe to leave the UK. So I conceded and asked myself, could I really embrace Southampton for a summer holiday – a special birthday holiday? It seemed so.
Whether you’re drawn to its maritime heritage, cultural offerings, or culinary delights, This English city is for you. Not to be confused with the Southampton of the Hamptons in NYC. This English version also comes the English weather. My bias extends to my experience with the great British weather and I was blessed with a heatwave! What were the chances. So I really did feel like I was on holiday and you could too! Heatwave or not! Read on to discover all that Southampton has to offer.
Southampton, could be seen as a random choice for a summer holiday, less for for a mini break. As one of my team pointed out, ‘it#s hardly known as a holiday destination!’ And then post holiday one of my travel Instagram friends said, ‘You have turned Southampton into a destination of choice! How have you done that??!!’ Which must mean all my research, detailed schedule and just living my best life shone through. So I hope this guide of, what to do in Southampton helps you have that much needed break too.. The only thing I can’t help with is the weather.
How to get to Southampton?
Set on the coast Southampton is easily accessible by road – just a 2 hour drive from London. There are also direct trains from London Waterloo, Victoria and Clapham Junction in just over an hour. As this was covid times we missed our pre boarding bubbles, so we brought our own to make the journey feel more like a flight!
The main station in Southampton is very central and everything is in walking distance. However with luggage we hopped in an Uber. Took 5-10 minutes to our hotel and only cost a fiver. So far UK 1 – Abroad 0!
Where to stay in Southampton
There was plenty of hotel option to choose from to suit all budgets and taste. I whittled it down to 3 choices. Each were very lovely for their own purposes but I am sharing should your needs be slightly different to mine. First up: The Pig. The famous hotel group are renowned for their small, cosy, luxurious, cottage feel hotels and this one is the smallest of their litter! I felt it more like a cosy winter hotel so not for this trip. Side note, they do have a good deli lunch, if you fancy a visit.
Next up, The Moxy, which had a shared work space vibe. Located next door to the shopping centre, it was my wet weather option. Fun and funky. More of a base than a destination hotel. But very affordable.
Being a birthday week (for me) and possibly our only summer holiday we splashed for the more expensive Harbour Hotel and Spa and did not regret it for a second.
Designed like a big ship, giving a nod to the sailing history of the port and situated right by the marina, the place has all the vibes of a perfect holiday spot. It reminds me of when I stayed at the Sunborn in Gibraltar, which is set on a boat in the harbour, but this one was even better.
The rooms were super clean and fresh and came with free gin and sherry!!! (This is a perk this hotel group have having stayed at the Brighton one before). Oh and some binoculars! (For use, not keeps!)
If you are choosing a room then I would highly recommend one with a marina view. Coupled with the good weather this really felt like we were waking up on a holiday abroad. That coupled with the staff made our stay – Impeccable in their kindness and professionalism. From the rooftop staff to the front desk. (Shout out to Ilona and Meg who were especially awesome)
The Hotel Rooftop – The Harbar
Didi I mention the other reason I chose this hotel was it had a rooftop bar! No? Well, of course it did!! ! Not just a rooftop bar but a terrace, indoor rooftop bar and a rooftop restaurant! I worked my way through them all! This was vacation vibes.
The terrace doesn’t have as much of a view as the other side. But it’s is all about the vibe, a pizza oven, botanical pop up and the cocktail menu! The pure colada cocktail is a game changer. No creamy 500 calories cocktail, nope… but it tastes like it is! I know!! Thanks to Victor – the master of mixology for this. (Sadly Victor is now in Dubai! I will be chasing these calorie friendly cocktails soon!) but his legacy lives on!
The indoor bar / lounge is definitely not second prize. It’s full of sofas, signs and views that leads out to both rooftops and on the weekend hosts a DJ. creating a vibrant atmosphere complemented by quirky decor.
Breakfast is served in their indoor rooftop restaurant and the patio doors that leads to the other rooftop terrace. You can’t book this as it’s notoriously windy but this is where you want to be for sunset drinks over the marina or just a morning coffee! Holy moly hello holiday vibes. (The only thing missing was a rooftop pool!!).
Where to eat out in Southampton
Harbar: So aside drinks and breakfast at the rooftop we also indulged for both lunch and dinner. Food and service was fabulous with generous portions. Even if you are staying here I would advise to book – this is a popular spot in Southampton.
The Jetty: Also based at the Harbour hotel, The Jetty is set in the heart of the harbour over looking the marina and is perfect for a sunset dinner. Due to the same winds as above on the rooftop eating outside is tricky to predict but the option is there is the weather allows. The indoor restaurant was bright and airy and as an alfresco addict it actually didn’t matter if you were inside.
I would caveat that this restaurant is separately owned and managed and you can tell. I found the staff a little precious. They just weren’t quite as friendly as I had experienced throughout the rest of the hotel. However they were still highly accommodating and professional and the seafood alone here is worthy of a visit.
Blue Jasmine: Just a two minute walk along on the marina is the restaurant, Jasmine. This is Asian fine dining at its best. The staff were so attentive and accommodating (also were so helpful as am gluten free with many dishes being made as such. They also did a beautiful birthday treat as a surprise.
We came for sunset dinner and as we watched the light dim and the golden aura surrond the harbour – I really felt I could have been anywhere abroad.
La Regata: About a 10-15 walk from the hotel and opposite the Red Funnel Ferry was a sensational Spanish tapas restaurant. I had asked to be outside but that turned out to be just a few tables on the road so we moved inside by the huge bay windows. We felt like we were in Spain! There was even a palm tree in the middle of the restaurant!
As it was tapas we started slow but the food was so good we kept ordering more and trying local Spanish wines as recommended by the friendly and informative staff. A brilliant evening and well worth a visit.
Next door was Ennios Italian restaurant which had great reviews, also was a hotel and was voted in the top 10 best Italian in the U.K. We didn’t eat there as would have been more a winter formal (white linen table cloths) and mostly indoor but sharing for those who love Italian food!
Where to go for drinks in Southampton
The hotels I mentioned earlier that were the short list for staying at, we did enjoy drinks at instead. The Moxy has a cool kids energy whereas the The Pig has a red wine and cosy mood. And of course the Harbar. Though that is not the only rooftop bar in Southampton!
Funky flamingo and Revolution are both party rooftop bars. Though as Revolution has hardly any shade it was pretty quiet for lunch – which was perfect for us! Funky Flamingo was Fun with a capital F! We spent a very chilled summers afternoon drinking a whole manner of colourful cocktails that the staff were recommending. We left before the partying began!
Banana Wharf: Set back at Ocean Village opposite the Harbour hotel this was a vibrant fun easy going bar and restaurant. Felt a bit Weatherspoon’s but seemed a great place for kids or a cheaper brunch than at the hotel. I naturally had to have the banana colada being at a Banana Bar!
Social spritz: This was a summer pop up in the city walls which had all the summer feels and a very Insta friendly cocktail menu. Yes I had to order the watermelon Cosmo and it wasn’t just a gimmick… it was delicious! There’s some Insta created spots here but it is weather dependant… however you can always stumble to the shops opposite if it rains! Yes shopping is renowned here so if all else failed you can get lost shopping! Note this is subject to returning next summer.
Mile high & Orange rooms: These are two separate bars but under one owner. The Orange Rooms are quirky 70 style bar, with a garden and a dance floor – yes you can book tables by the dance floor.
I was desperately missing flying when I visited and was thrilled to find this flight experience bar! Mile High bar is definitely worth a whirl! It’s a fun fizz fuelled flight! It wasn’t full developed when I went (2021) but it was such a welcomed pop up – and having checked (2024 update) it was been so popular it has stayed!
The areas are split to plane seats, lounge and bar. But named 1st, business and economy which is a bit misleading as it’s only in 1st you get the plane seats- which is why you would come. (Unless a big group) The staff are in character and even have a humorous safety video, announcements throughout, flying related cocktails and a cocktail passport. And as we booked 1st class we got an eye mask pack! The windows have funny cloud pics behind – ET was my favourite. The booking is for 2 hours which would have been a bit too long but you can leave earlier.
Piecaraamba: Calling all comic book nerds. This place is your heaven. A coffee shop with a Star Wars themed loo and a naughty step (yes I was put there!). This café has it all and more. get lost in here for hours with your comic kids or big kids.
Museums in Southampton
Titanic museum (confusingly called Sea City Scape museum). Up at the top of Southampton this was a must to see and don’t be fooled if online it says sold out. They close online bookings each day but there’s usually space to walk in. Unless you are passing I would call to check especially on a weekend. Whilst the Titanic sailed from Belfast it actually started in Southampton – as do many cruise ships today. Recreation of the cabins, menus, salvaged object and interactive morse code to try it was well worth going. Sadly I couldn’t find Leo despite waiting at the bottom of the staircase!
Solent Sky Museum: If you like planes then this place is a little gold mine. The staff are so knowledgeable and you will end up staying way longer than expected. Especially when you are allowed to sit in a cockpit of an old fighter plane. Discovering what 1st class looked like just 60 years ago was a reality check of how fast the world is changing too. Awesome little find.
Beaulieu: Whilst Beaulie is not in Southampton it was only a 30 min in an Uber – if you aren’t driving. Beaulieu itself is a quaint cute English village – perfect for a pub lunch but its better known for its car museum – Beaulieu. Full of old cars and famous film cars like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!
There’s a monorail, old houses, kids play area and canteen (limited food and no alcohol.) If you were doing a family day trip I’d suggest bringing a picnic. But for any war geeks like me, it is also home to the SOE museum which is why I wanted to go. The S.O.E – spies that went into Europe in the Second World War is my specialist subject it had been remiss of me to not have gone before. Beaulieu was part of the training for agents that were dropped into Europe during the Second World War. This was incredible piece of history to see.
Day trip to the Isle of Wight
Lastly, no summer holiday would be complete without a dip in the sea (or a pool!). One of the main reasons I had booked Southampton was to get across to the Isle of Wight on my birthday to go to a magical looking rooftop and restaurant, The Hut.
Downstairs is the beautiful restaurant that reminded me of a beach club abroad and then above was the rooftop (and a rooftop shop!). It did not disappoint. In fact it excelled in its setting, staff and sea views. And then yes, I was able to swim in the sea! Happy me.
For more on getting across to IOW and about The Hut, click here. Hope Southampton is as superb and sunny or you as it was me! Travel extra tip: If you are looking for another easy trip from London then check out my guide to Folkestone.