Set on the south coast of England, Southampton’s often seen as a cruise ship city. People arrive at the cruise terminal, board and leave again. Stay a little longer and you’ll see it differently.
There’s plenty to do in the harbour city itself. But venture a little further and you can be deep in the forest, exploring world heritage sites, relaxing on the beach or taking in centuries-old architecture.
A good day out from Southampton can take you to very different places. Sometimes it’s a boat trip across the Solent. Sometimes it’s a train ride to a historic city. Sometimes it’s a car journey into the New Forest for an active day outdoors. There are places everyone knows about for a reason. But if you’re like us, you’ll want to find the lesser-known hidden gems too. This guide will point you in the right direction.
Our favourite five highlights
New Forest National Park
Within 30 minutes of leaving Southampton city centre, you can be in ancient woodland. The trees pre-date most cities. Ponies, deer and horses roam free and you can too. Cycle through it, hike the trails or go for a wander in nature. Lepe beach sits on its edge if you want woodland and sea in the same afternoon.
Isle of Wight
You can see the island from the water’s edge in Southampton. Ferry crossings run regularly, turning the journey into part of the day trip.
The Isle of Wight’s a compact island. You can cover a lot without rushing. Cowes is built around the tide and is popular with the yachting crowd. At Alum Bay in the west, you’ll see chalk stacks rising out of the sea. That’ll be The Needles. There’s historic castles and royal homes. And there’s the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the middle.
Brighton
Brighton’s about 1 hour 45 minutes by train. Go for the day out. Stay for the cafes and vintage shopping. Brighton’s vintage scene is one of the best on the south coast. The Lanes are packed with independent shops and artisan coffee shops. Pick up a coffee or craft beer and take in the buzz.
You can do the typical British seaside thing of candy floss on Palace Pier. But we like to get out to areas like Seven Dials, Brunswick or Hove with their traditional Victorian townhouses, great neighbourhood cafes, pubs and eateries.
Stonehenge
This is a big ticket sightseeing destination. The prehistoric ring of stones has been here for centuries. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s not simply about wandering around looking at the stones. Listen to the myths and legends that surround them. It’s a magical place.
Stonehenge sits near Salisbury and is an easy day trip from Southampton. The regular Stonehenge tour bus runs from Salisbury train station at least hourly.
Where can I go by train from Southampton?
Southampton Central and Southampton Airport Parkway train stations are both well connected. A day trip on public transport reduces your chances of road rage and traffic jam. Sit back and enjoy the ride. You can get to a variety of cities from Southampton including:
- Portsmouth – around 40 minutes
- Salisbury – 20–30 minutes
- Bath – around 75 minutes
- Dorset towns including Poole, Bournemouth, Weymouth, Christchurch and Dorchester
- Cardiff – approximately 2.5 hours
- Winchester – 20 minutes
- London – just over an hour
- Brighton – 1 hour 45 minutes.
From our hometel, you can reach Southampton Central train station in 10 minutes by car. It’s a 30 minute walk through Southampton city centre. Alternatively, catch a bus from Oxford Street (bus stop route 15).
What is the most beautiful beach near Southampton?
Let’s be honest, you won’t find long stretches of golden sand here. You need to go to Dorset or Devon for that. On the south coast, most beaches are largely stoney. They’re still worth a visit though. Bring your beach shoes. Our local favourites would be:
- Lepe beach within the New Forest National Park.
- Calshot beach which is around 30 minutes’ drive away. It’s a shingle beach with a 16th-century castle built by Henry VIII and wide views across the Solent.
- Hill Head’s also about 30 minutes away from the city. It’s shingle and sand, with rock pools and shallow water.
- Southsea beach in Portsmouth is pebbly, but it’s a good place to sit and look out to sea. There’s always a ferry, yacht or cruise ship passing by.
- Milford on Sea, near the New Forest, is great for clifftop walks with views across to Christchurch harbour. It’s a cute village with boutique shops, cafes and pubs.
- West Wittering Beach is about an hour away and well worth the journey. It has sandy dunes and long stretches of beach with Blue Flag status.
What are the top historical sites to visit on a day trip from Southampton?
If you’re keen to take in some history, you have centuries to choose from round here.
Let’s start with Stonehenge. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an absolute historic marvel. How did they do that? Why? What’s happened there?
Combine your trip to Stonehenge with a visit to historic Salisbury too. The imposing cathedral houses one of the surviving copies of the Magna Carta as well as Peregrine falcons.
Then there’s Winchester. Its cathedral has impressive medieval architecture. Nearby Winchester City Mill dates back to the 18th century. To top it off, in The Great Hall of Winchester Castle you’ll find King Arthur’s legendary round table. A walking tour around the city will show you the highlights, including its secret hidden waterways.
Also in Hampshire, Portsmouth oozes naval history. You can spend hours in the historic dockyard. There’s also the D-Day Museum which brings home the realities of World War II.
Further out, the pretty Sussex town of Arundel makes a lovely day out. The castle dates back to 1067 and retains many Medieval features. There’s also Gothic architecture from its Victorian rebuild. In summer, look out for Medieval festivals as well as Shakespearean open air theatre.
Finally, on the Isle of Wight, there’s the historic fortress Carisbrooke Castle. The magnificent Osborne House was Queen Victoria’s beloved home. A guided tour brings her world to life.
What are some popular day trips from Southampton for nature lovers?
Hampshire benefits from wonderfully diverse landscapes. Countryside, coastline and winding rivers are all here, near Southampton.
The New Forest National Park is the obvious answer. What more do you need to unwind than heathland, ancient woodland and open sky?
Then there’s the Jurassic Coast which stretches west. The cliffs show their age in layers. The beaches host fossils in abundance. You can walk a section of the coastline and get a taste for the scale of it.
The Isle of Wight isn’t simply a sailing destination. It’s known as the Garden Isle and is a haven for birdwatching.
For animal lovers, there’s Marwell Zoo. It’s about half an hour away from the city and is a firm family favourite.
Where is there near Southampton to enjoy a bit of culture?
Jane Austen spent most of her life in Hampshire. She’s buried in Winchester Cathedral. There’s a museum dedicated to her in nearby Chawton. There’s another in Bath, where she also lived and wrote. It’s easily accessible by train from Southampton.
Highclere Castle, known to many as Downton Abbey, is open in summer months. The Grade I listed country house was built in 1679. The gardens, designed by Capability Brown, are highly recommended.
Chichester has a cathedral, theatre and an arty vibe. The artwork within the cathedral is remarkable. There are two local theatres that put on a wide range of performances, from West End shows to jazz, dance and thought-provoking talks. Chichester Cinema at New Park is a lovable indie showing arthouse films you won’t see at a multiplex. If you’re visiting in summer, the city comes alive with The Festival of Chichester. The month-long arts, music and culture event brings celebrated artists to the city in June/ July.
And, of course, there’s vibrant Brighton. Its eclectic cultural mix is second to none. For starters, there’s Fabrica, Helm Gallery and Brighton Museum and Gallery. But you’ll find art all around you, even in a phone box. The Dog and Bone gallery rotates exhibitions each month.
Book your stay at room2 Southampton
Our city centre hometel makes an ideal base for day trips from Southampton. If you’re after more recommendations, our friendly staff will be happy to share their suggestions.