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10 things to do under £10 in Southampton

Whether its school holidays or a relaxing staycation, we've rounded up 10 things to do under £10 to keep the whole family entertained.

1. Southampton City Art Gallery

Lady looking at a painting in Southampton City Art Gallery

Free Entry

World class art in the centre of Southampton’s Cultural Quarter! The gallery houses one of the finest collections of art in the south of England, including over 5,000 works of art from the Renaissance to the present day. Work includes those of some of the greats, such as: J.M.W. Turner, Auguste Rodin and L.S. Lowry, among many others.  Discover what's currently on show here.

2. Seacity Museum

Family looking at an exhibition in SeaCity Museum

Adults: £10.50, Children: £8.00 (Under 16s), Concessions: £9.00 (65+ and students), Under 5s: FREE

Located in the heart of Southampton, SeaCity Museum is the city’s port of call for stories of maritime history and life. Exhibitions share tales of the people of the city, their fascinating lives, and the historic connections with the Titanic and the sea. 

Learn from interactive activity areas, highly visual displays and memorable real-life accounts. Exhibitions will transport you back to the Titanic’s fateful voyage, reveal thousands of years of the port’s lively and diverse history, and uncover the city’s past with local archaeology and archives.

SeaCity Museum brings maritime history to the surface. There’s always something new to learn, whatever your age!  For more information and to book online for guaranteed entry go here

3. Tudor House & Garden

The black and white exterior of Tudor House and Garden

Adult: £7.00, Children: £6.00 (Under 16s), Concessions (over 65’s and students) £6.50, Under 5s: FREE

Home to over 800 years of history, Southampton’s Tudor House is one of the city’s most important buildings. Found in the heart of charming Old Town, Tudor House offers a unique and authentic window onto the lives of its residents and the city itself over hundreds of years. 

With family-friendly activities, interactive experiences and engaging displays – not to mention a peaceful garden where you can enjoy a cream tea – visitors of all ages are welcome into this special space.  Book online for guaranteed entry here.

4. John Hansard Gallery

Exterior of John Hansard Gallery

Free Entry

John Hansard Gallery, part of the University of Southampton, is one of the UK’s leading contemporary art galleries. With a commitment to fostering, nurturing, and showcasing exceptional art created by outstanding artists worldwide, the gallery takes pride in actively contributing to the vibrant cultural landscape of Southampton and the surrounding region.

The gallery often holds Space to Create sessions which are free creative workshops for families to enjoy from mixed media collages to clay sculptures. For the latest events and exhibitions click here.

5. Titanic Trail

A close up of a man on the Titanic Engineers' Memorial

Free

Southampton will forever be associated with the liner RMS Titanic and there are a number of memorials in the city dedicated to those who perished when the ship sank in 1912. The Titanic trail walking tour visits some of these memorials and includes other points of interest enroute. Download the map here.

6. God's House Tower

Gods House Tower

Free Entry

God’s House Tower (GHT) is an arts and heritage venue in the heart of Southampton’s Old Town.

As a thriving hub for the arts, there is always an exciting new exhibition on display featuring some of the most talented national and local talents.

During your visit, you can discover the exciting story of GHT with their permanent exhibition Stories Behind The Stones to explore centuries of history through immersive installations, captivating displays, and breathtaking rooftop views. This exhibition is ticketed: adults can visit for £5 and under 16’s can go free. To book tickets go here or to see what's on click here.

7. Walk The Walls

Southampton Town Walls with arches

Free

Embark on the Southampton Old Town Walls, a 3.9-kilometer loop trail suitable for all skill levels. The Old Town Walk offers a delightful exploration of Southampton's rich history, where old and new architecture seamlessly blend. With over 90 listed buildings and 30 ancient monuments, you'll encounter medieval wine vaults, picturesque churches, and elegant Georgian houses and hotels.

Plan for about 1.5 hours to complete the walk, allowing for a leisurely pace. Consider giving yourself extra time to indulge in refreshments at one of the charming cafes or restaurants along the way. Download the self-guided trail map here.

8. Visit Southampton's War Memorials

Southampton War Memorial with poppy in the foreground

Free

As the home of the Spitfire and a key staging point for the invasion of Europe, Southampton played a pivotal role in bringing about VE Day on 8 May 1945 and subsequently VJ Day. It was also heavily targeted by the Luftwaffe in bombing raids that took a devastating toll on the city and its residents.

Southampton has an array of war memorials across the city you could walk, run or cycle to. As well as the Remembrance benches, this includes a VJ Day plaque at Town Quay Park, a tree at Mayflower Park to commemorate The Falklands, the Burma Memorial at Grosvenor Square, The Cenotaph in Watts Park and a memorial at Hollybrook Cemetery.

You can download a map of the memorials here. 

9. Learning Activities

Mother and child making clay sculptures

Under £10

Southampton City Council offer a wide range of talks, walks, and activities to feed the whole family’s imagination and engage enquiring minds.

Southampton City Art Gallery, SeaCity Museum and Tudor House and Garden all offer unique and fascinating cultural experiences for all. Join passionate artists, historians and teachers who will bring their specialist subjects to life such as getting messy with clay and crafting materials or unleashing your inner portrait painter - the whole family has a chance to relax and play. Find out more about the range of events here.

10. While Away The Hours In Our Green Spaces

Colourful flowers at Watts Park, Southampton

Free

Southampton’s award winning, Grade II listed Central Parks are a green oasis in the heart of the city and were established between 1854 and 1866.

The central parks divided into five estates, all with their own individual characteristics, have been awarded the prestigious Grade II* listed status on the Historic England Register of Parks and Gardens of special historic interest. This listing recognises the parks' national importance as examples of early municipal parks where layout and design remains substantially intact, enhanced by notable monuments of social and historic interest associated with significant historical events. To find more information and a map of the city parks go here.

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