In just a few short weeks, England will host the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, and with Southampton being one of the venues for the group stage games, it’s the perfect time to visit Southampton. All three matches held at St.Mary's Stadium kick off in the evening which means you’ll have the entire day to explore the city, discover its history, soak up the culture and of course find some fabulous foodie stops along the way.
Here are ten places to go with you family while you’re in the city
Southampton is steeped in maritime history and the SeaCity Museum is the perfect place to discover more. From Southampton’s Titanic Story to Gateway to the World - the museum provides a fascinating insight into the earliest settlers to the stories of people living in the city today. It’s also just a five-minute walk from Southampton train station so perfect as your first stop.
Right around the corner from SeaCity Museum, the free to visit art gallery holds some of the finest collections of art in the south of England. Currently comprising of over 5,000 works and spanning eight centuries Southampton City Art Gallery is the perfect opportunity to soak up some culture and introduce little ones to art for the first time.
What’s a visit to a new city without food? The Cultural Quarter is a great spot to grab a bite to eat with Turtle Bay, Gin & Olive, Blue’s Smokehouse, Grumpy Monkey and Mettricks right on the square. If you fancy even more choice then head down Above Bar Street where you’ll find an array of eateries with even more round the corner at Westquay such as Zizzi, TGI Fridays and Thaikhun.
Did you know the parks in Southampton are Grade II listed? Stunning greenery, flowers galore and plenty of secret spots (there’s even a pond!) make it the perfect area for a wander with a takeaway coffee to soak up the city, especially on a sunny day.
There’s nothing quite like a game of bowling or air hockey with friends and family and Hollywood Bowl has got it all. You can book online or just pop along to the Harbour Parade site to book out a lane and see who can get the most strikes.
Summer on The Esplanade is always lots of fun. The Village pop-up bar is currently in place with plenty of refreshments, a big screen for sports and mini golf. Just pop along to the bar to pick up your golf clubs.
Oh and don’t forget to take advantage of running through the water fountains!
Something I urge everyone to do at least once is walk the Southampton Walls as it is such a fascinating insight into the city as it stands then and now. There are walking tours available if you’d prefer a guided tour but if you want something easy with children, it’s pretty easy to follow.
If you have little ones excited about experiencing their first football game but need them to let off a little steam first then Injoy in Ocean Village is PERFECT! Suitable from four months right up until twelve years old, the centre features a Trampoline Park, Soft Play, Laser Tag, Climbing Walls and Interactive Zone. There’s even a restaurant and bar area.
Constructed over several hundred years ago, there is something to discover within every brick of God’s House Tower. Now, it’s the city’s new arts and heritage venue - visit Stories Behind the Stones to get a look at the history of the tower before walking through one of the low arch doors to soak up the exhibition space. From now until August you’ll get the chance to see Gardez L’Eau by Enam Gbewonyo.
A great little spot full of history, the Solent Sky Museum is a stone’s throw away from St.Mary’s Stadium. The home of the Spitfire and the largest flying boat operation in the world, you'll find twenty aircraft on display from the golden age of aviation as well as the Hampshire Police and Fire Museum. Also, if you have an SO postcode you’ll get a 50% off voucher to use upon your next visit within one year.
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