Your Day Trip to Southampton: Itinerary Ideas to Get You Inspired

Southampton is a medieval gem and maritime hub, where the past is treasured and cruise ships in the port inspire ideas for future trips. Whatever your reason for visiting the dynamic city, you’re sure to discover something intriguing during your time on the Hampshire coast. Here's an itinerary idea to help you make the most of your one-day visit to Southampton.

Start your morning at the SeaCity Museum, a family-friendly attraction in Southampton that's perfect for a day trip. Set right in the heart of the city, the museum tells the story of local life and maritime history. There is a special focus on the Titanic, which set sail from Southampton in 1912. You'll see intriguing details from the ship, like breakfast menus and pocket watches. Explore interactive exhibits, and discover how maritime heritage influences the modern-day city.

Walks and trails are always among the best free things to do in Southampton. If you'd like to continue your voyage of Titanic discovery, follow the city's Titanic Trail. Some locations on the trail are very close to the SeaCity Museum, including the Titanic Musicians' Memorial and the Engineer Officers' Memorial. Others are closer to the waterfront, which we'll arrive at later.

SeaCity Museum

• Havelock Road, Southampton, SO14 7FY
• Open daily from 10am–5pm
• Tickets cost £11 for adults; £8.50 for children aged 5–16; £10 for concessions (over 65s and students); free for children under 5 and carers. Family tickets are available: £35 (two adults and up to three children) or £24 (one adult and up to three children)

Just south of the SeaCity Museum, West Quay shopping centre is one of Southampton’s most popular retail destinations, with over 100 high-street and designer shops. It's ideally located near city-centre hotels like Novotel Southampton, meaning you can drop off your shopping bags at your hotel before heading out for the afternoon. It's also a good spot for lunch, with cafés and international restaurants.

Southampton's medieval history is on full display in the Old Town, which makes up the southern part of the city centre. Take yourself on a tour of the city’s historic architecture by starting at the Bargate, a 12th-century gatehouse that historically marked the entrance to the northern part of the Old Town. Nearby, it's possible to walk along some of the city's medieval walls, which include the 13th-century Arundel Tower in the northwest corner of the walls.

Important sites in the centre of the Old Town include the charming Medieval Merchant’s House, with its half-timbered facade, and the Tudor House & Garden. If you have enough time, the Tudor House & Garden is well worth a look inside. Absorb the historical atmosphere in this beautifully preserved 15th-century home complete with period furniture. Don't miss the Trade Room, where graffiti from the late 16th century and early 17th century depicts life in the port town.

As you make your way through the Old Town and towards the waterfront, stop by God's House Tower, a medieval gatehouse now hosting exhibitions and cultural events.

Tudor House & Garden

• Bugle Street, Southampton, SO14 2AD
• Open 10am–3pm Monday–Thursday; 10am–5pm Saturday and Sunday
• Tickets cost £7.50 for adults; £6.50 for children aged 5 and over; £7.00 for concessions (over 65s and students); free for children under 5 and carers. Family tickets available: £25.00 (two adults and up to three children) or £17.50 (one adult and up to three children)

The Southampton waterfront is a place that inspires the spirit of adventure and the tingling excitement of travel. As you breathe in the fresh sea air, watch gigantic cruise ships in the Port of Southampton as they continue the proud maritime tradition of this city once known as "the gateway to the world". Even if you're not embarking on a world cruise, you can get out on the water by booking a day cruise or ferry ride to get up close with liners and cargo ships.

There are plenty of hidden gems and lesser-known spots in Southampton that are worth exploring on a day trip, and one of them is right along the waterfront. The Marine Air Terminal was completed in 1948 and served flying boats – vast seaplanes with hulls – that were a popular mode of transport at the time. However, the terminal was only in service for a decade, and now the ruins of its pontoons on the pier are visible from the Southampton Water View Point. Although it's not the most glamorous of Southampton attractions, this relic does have a poignant and very real quality to it. Bring a hot drink and spend a while at this spot – it's popular for watching ships, as is nearby Mayflower Park.

A little further along the waterfront, Ocean Village Marina is home to some of the best places to eat and drink in Southampton during a day trip. This vibrant marina, which is also lined with shops and bars, is captivating on a warm evening as the sun glistens on the water and white yachts bob gently up and down. It's the perfect place for dinner in waterside restaurants, including:

• Blue Jasmine Wine & Tapasía - Asian fusion cuisine
• Figurati - modern Italian fare
• Maritimo Lounge - contemporary British and international eats in a trendy setting

The Cultural Quarter, close to SeaCity Museum and East Park, is another neighbourhood with some of the best restaurants in Southampton, and an early dinner at one of these venues will leave time to catch a performance at the Mayflower Theatre in the same area. Alternatively, if you're looking for live music in Southampton, drop into The Joiners in the St. Mary's district on the opposite side of East Park. This pub is known for grassroots gigs - with rock, indie and synth-pop among the genres.

Are you departing on a cruise following your day trip to Southampton, or maybe travelling within the UK? Here's some essential practical info:

• Southampton has five cruise terminals: Horizon, City Cruise, QEII, Mayflower and Ocean. Check your travel documents carefully to find out which one your ship departs from.

• ABParking is the official provider of cruise parking, with parking directly adjacent to the terminals. It's possible to book online.

• Boarding involves a security check similar to airport security, so leave plenty of time before departure to complete this.

• Southampton Central railway station is very close to the city centre, just eight minutes' walk from the SeaCity Museum and 15 minutes from the Old Town.
• It's easy to travel from London to Southampton for a day trip, with regular trains that take 90 minutes or less.
• Southampton Airport can be reached in seven minutes by train from Southampton Central; driving takes 20 minutes or more depending on conditions.

For more day trip inspiration, read our articles on the best places to visit from London or Manchester. Ready to explore this historic city on England's south coast?