Travel review: Southampton is a continental launching pad

We have learned over the years that we like a few days ahead of a cruise to get into vacation mode. These pre-cruise stays are sometimes varied and active. Sometimes they are right in the city of embarkation, taking the opportunity to immerse ourselves a little more. This travel review: Southampton will provide you with more details on our experience there.

We have typically left on cruises from warmer and more southern climes. Southampton was a new place for us, and one we didn’t know a lot about. Our friends were joining us for a few days so we had help finding some of our options.

The town itself is easily walkable; there are numerous posted walks around the town. There is lots of new and old mixed together to give variety to what you are seeing. A walk along the Maritime Quarter, to Ocean Village and the Eastern Docks, was lovely given the heat wave we were experiencing. Walks up High Street and Oxford Street are de rigeur – everyone is out and about.

A very quaint town with lots of history, of which we only skimmed the surface of.

Recommendations

Eat:

We enjoyed the Oxford Brasserie for dinner one night – great seafood and pasta. Only complaint at the time – get some air conditioning! The heat wave made it quite steamy inside. The Pig in the Wall’s restaurant was on tap for breakfasts and one of our dinners. Excellent food, and very enjoyable atmosphere! Particularly enjoyed our breakfasts, and the wonderful coffee first thing in the morning! On our first evening in town we enjoyed a lovely dinner at La Regata Restaurant, enjoying some squid and tapas with a lovely bottle of rose.

Accommodations:

Pig in the Wall is central, comfortable, and modern in its approach to delivering excellent service. We look forward to sampling their other establishments around the UK.

Activities:

Another great walking town, we enjoyed lots of sightseeing by foot. Our accommodation was right along the Western Esplanade, along the old town walls, so ruins abounded. The Mayflower Memorial, Wool House, Medieval Merchant’s House, Holy Rood Church ruin and St Michael’s Church were all easily viewable. Check out www.seesouthampton.co.uk for some of their guided walks of the city, if you would prefer some help along the way. If you head along Oxford Street, you might as well continue long to Canute Road and on to Ocean Village. The Marina and the walkway along the village is a great stroll and excellent for a nice breeze on a warm summers day.

In addition to this travel review: Southampton, check out our review on London.

Enjoy!