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Explore Southampton A Day Out In The Maritime Quarter

Explore Southampton: A day out in the Maritime Quarter

Post date: 2nd June 2023
Written by: The Visit Southampton Team

Enjoy the beauty of Southampton’s Oxford Street and Ocean Village with al fresco dining, live music and romantic settings all in one place.

Few cities can boast having an independent street such as Oxford Street and a mixed-use marina that is Ocean Village within spitting distance of the City Centre. Here we show you how to create a relaxing and memorable day out in this beautiful part of town.

Brunch at XOXO, Oxford Street

Oxford Street is home to a host of unique and independent bars, restaurants and cafes, one of them being the ever-popular, XOXO.

Start your day here with one of their famous pancakes and breakfast burgers. For a light bite to eat, why not try their avocado toast with vine tomatoes or potato stack with spring onion, chili, truffle mayo, and poached egg! Staff are friendly and helpful, coffee and shakes are delicious and there are also great options for children.

Head out for a relaxing walk in Ocean Village

Ocean Village Marina is the perfect place to head out for a daytime stroll, especially on a nice sunny day. As you wander around the marina, take in the waterfront views and visit some of the local shops. The marina is a popular mooring location visited by sailors from around the world - most notably the 200 men and women that took part in the Ocean Globe Race in September 2023.

If you are looking to unwind, Southampton’s only 5-star hotel, The Harbour Hotel & Spa also has a blissful spa to match. Book yourself in for a relaxing spa day and escape from the world. Enjoy with friends, treat someone special or just spoil yourself to a period of truly indulgent relaxation. The signature spa day includes a 60-minute treatment, full use of spa facilities and a delicious lunch or dinner in HarBAR on 6th.

Fancy getting your hair done? Equinox Gentlemen’s Refinery and Storm Hair stand next to each other on Oxford Street and you can be guaranteed to come out looking like a million dollars. Both have excellent reputations and will make you feel completely comfortable.

Time to spare? Visit the Harbour Lights Picture House which hosts a wide array of films, from independents to the latest blockbusters. See what's on here.

Time for dinner

After you've finished exploring over in Ocean Village, head back to Oxford Street for a nice meal which offers quite the range of choice. From Sunday roasts at Carnicero Steakhouse and Rita's Bar, to a cosmopolitan European menu at Oxford Brasserie, Oxford Street has it all. After dinner, head across for cocktails at Mail Room Cocktail and Wine Bar or head over to Medbar and immerse yourself in the electric atmosphere with a classic cocktail or two!

Later, you can dance the night away in The London which has live cabaret entertainment, DJ’s and even quiz nights, Wednesdays to Sundays. A 19th Century building, it strikes an impressive pose on the corner of Oxford Street. The venue’s interior has been refurbished with an art deco scheme giving it a traditional, but theatrical feel with a dash of camp. Hardly surprising with its reputation for attracting some of the top cabaret stars in the country.

There is plenty to do and explore in Ocean Village and Oxford Street so why not go out and see for yourself - and don't forget to tag us in your photos!

Stay a bit longer

If you are visiting outside the city and would like to extend your stay, The Grapes is a great choice. They offer single, double, and twin rooms all which include free wifi. You'll not only experience a pleasant stay but also a piece of history as The Grapes was once frequented by sailors, many of which boarded the Titanic for her maiden voyage. You can learn more this popular relaxed pub here.