Southampton - it’s a city that I am pretty familiar with. Mainly because it’s home to my nearest Ikea.
I sometimes have to work in the city, and sometimes I go to shop, usually in the weeks before Christmas. I occasionally take the ferry to the Isle of Wight from the city. Full disclosure - I even spent a year studying at Southampton Solent University – although I was an odd student and actually did study so didn’t see much of the city.
But as with everywhere right under our noses, I’ve never really been a tourist there.
More than two million cruise ship passengers visit the city each year and it’s not uncommon to see someone wandering around with a wheelie suitcase looking hopelessly lost, or to overhear American accents discussing the city’s history.
That's why I was intrigued when I was invited to explore what the city had to offer for a tourist. Could I experience something new? Would it be possible to switch off and become a tourist in a city I most commonly associate with hauling flat-pack furniture into the back of my car?
Collecting the kids from school on Friday, we packed our weekend bags and set off on the road destined for room2 in Southampton city centre. Now, for those with kids close together in age, you’ll know that the least amount of time spent in the car together the better - that’s the real advantage of the staycation.
Living in the Hampshire countryside, we were a short car journey away – and didn't even mind paying the £1 toll to get over the Itchen bridge. Well, we were technically on holiday...
Our accommodation for the next two nights was at room2, in Queens Terrace, opposite Queens Park and a hop and a skip away from the cruise terminal. It describes itself as the world’s first Hometel, which basically means it’s a cross between a hotel and self-catering accommodation.
The rooms are spacious, and they come with a kitchenette so you can fully relax and actually enjoy the accommodation too.
Everything you could possibly need is available at room2, there’s even a laundry room and gym downstairs, plus a bar with a proper coffee machine.
Travelling with kids, this set-up is ideal, as it eliminates the stress of making two rather noisy and mischievous children behave at mealtimes, instead, we could relax in our room and the kids didn’t have to try anything new – they were more than happy with their usual breakfasts served in front of the TV.
As nice as the accommodation was, and it was tempting to just relax on the comfy King bed for the whole weekend, we were in Southampton to explore.
We strolled into the city centre, and into West Quay Shopping Centre where we found Five Guys and a real-life dinosaur called Big Sara – the most complete allosaurus skeleton ever found.
The city was buzzing, with a mix of people going out for the night – there are many good pubs and clubs here – or going to enjoy a meal or film at the deluxe cinema.
After a restful night’s sleep, we set off on our history tour, walking the city’s historic streets, past the Elizabethan Manor and the city’s historic Bargate, and back into West Quay Shopping Centre, which was buzzing with weekend shoppers. All the big names are in West Quay, from Apple to Lego, even Build-a-bear and John Lewis, you’ll be bound to find something for everyone.
The High Street also hosts big names – a large Primark among many others – and the smaller shopping centre the Marlands. This centre plays host to the more independent end of the retail spectrum. Yes, there are shops – but there are also things to do, pottery painting, a soft play centre and axe throwing, just three of the ways this once traditional centre has adapted to changing shopping trends.
Marlands also has a food court, home to Stakks, a pancake place where we stop for lunch. Pancakes, while more traditionally eaten for breakfast, are served in a huge range of styles and ways at Stakks, from vegan to savoury, there’s a wealth of choice, all served in a friendly manner. The kids are made to feel important, there’s a special kid's menu, and they lap up the milkshakes.
We leave, bellies full and happy, and head to arguably Southampton's biggest draw – the SeaCity museum.
It opened in 2012 marking the centenary of the Titanic setting sail from Southampton's port on its fateful voyage. So many people from the city lost their lives on the liner – its indelible mark still hangs over the city, with place names, businesses, and memorials, all still remembering that tragic event.
Also at the museum is the story of Southampton, packed full of artefacts and relics, the museum could take a whole day to truly explore. It’s interactive and the kids enjoy learning about the history – a mark of an excellent museum.
Next door, there’s also the Southampton City Art Gallery, free to visit, and worth stopping by to learn about the city’s diverse collection of fine art.
After all that culture and education, it’s time to let the kids relax and enjoy themselves, so we visit High Score Arcades on East Street.
It’s a great concept – a two-floor arcade packed with all the games you could possibly imagine or remember and they are all on free play. Your entry fee buys you an hour’s access, and with a whistle, we are let in and it’s absolute heaven. Whoever thought of this concept deserves an honour.
We play all sorts of games from pinball to shoot-em-ups, there are simulators, fairground rides, video games, all the joys of the arcade with none of the disappointment of running out of credit.
It’s an absolute winner – a highlight of all our weekends.
After all that shooting and visual excitement, we’ve worked up a hunger so we walk over to Papillon, a restaurant in a converted church opposite the city's theatre the Mayflower. The restaurant serves excellent food – wonderful portions of well-put-together dishes. It's clear they have a great chef. As we leave, the venue is setting up for its evening entertainment, a live rock band, and we vow to return for a proper kids-free night out soon.
The next day, we are lucky to see the Ocean Globe Race setting off from the nearby Ocean Village, before we take a walk back into the old city. You can’t walk far without stumbling into something old and interesting – and we do exactly that with God’s House Tower.
The tower has a coffee shop downstairs and an art gallery upstairs, plus for a small entry fee, you can take a trip up the tower, learning about its use as a jail on the way.
The kids enjoy the climb and from the top of the tower, you can see across the dock. It’s easy to forget when you are in the city, that it’s actually on the sea, and from here you can see all the city’s heritage and history spread out in front of you.
Our weekend away has seen us walk miles – covering what feels like every inch of the city centre – and we leave with a new perspective. We now understand why tourists so often get off their luxurious cruise ships for a look around - Southampton has more to it than just a huge blue building. It also makes a great city break, with much to offer for any age.
Plan your stay
room2 Southampton prices start from £119. For more information and to book, visit room2.com/southampton.
For more information go to visitsouthampton.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel