Southampton City Guide Including Hotels

I ntroduction:                     prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and                                     medieval times.                    Set on the coast of                                                Hampshire, south of Winchester,       Medieval Merchants’ House-This is  this is a place that abounds with     one of the earliest surviving      a fascinating heritage. The           merchants’ homes in the UK.        Romans, who established it as a       Tourists can take in a glimpse     seaport, founded Southampton          and see how life was 700 years     approximately 2,000 years ago.        ago thanks to the authentically    This was the port from which the      recreated furniture and overall    ill-fated Titanic had set sail on     ambience.                          her maiden voyage in 1912. Even                                          though the place was affected         Solent Sky – Solent Sky, where     during the Second World War,          the world’s first seaplane was     Southampton has grown sturdy with     built. It is also the place where  huge docks built for the cruise       the Spitfire fighter plane, used   industry. The core of the modern      heavily in the Second World War,   city is now based around the City     was born.                          Centre.                                                                                                        Southampton City Art Gallery -     Places of Interest:                   Situated in the heart of the                                             Cultural Quarter, it contains      Southampton is famous for ports,      over 3,500 works of art spanning   art galleries and museums. The        six centuries of European          place has a story to tell             culture. The 20th century British  everywhere you visit.                 art remains the main attraction                                          here.                              Museum of Archaeology - This                                             museum recount’s Southampton’s        Things to do:                      history with displays from                                               Southampton is a great place to                                          shop and dine. Be it enjoying the     *** (£30 to £40)                   nightlife or being a part of                                             special events, this city has         ** (£20 to £30)                    always had lots to offer.                                                                                      * (up to £20)                      Shopping - The West Quay complex                                         on West Quay Road offers shoppers     Tipping of around 10% for a        a good selection of high street       three-course meal with wine is     retailers, designer boutiques and     given customarily in up market     traditional shops. The West Quay      eating places. During weekends     Retail Park brims with the            most restaurants require prior     choicest of retailers that are        booking.                           normally found on the outskirts                                          of towns. Other good shopping         Transport - The airport is         areas include the Marlands Mall,      situated 7km (4 miles) northeast   Portland Terrace and the Bargate      of Southampton on the outskirts    Centre, off the High Street on        of the city. A good rail network   East Street.                          links Southampton with the main                                          rail station in the city. The      Restaurants - There are many          National Express operates regular  restaurants offering an eclectic      coach services connecting          mix of cuisines. The rates are        Southampton with various           competitive and the price range       destinations in the UK. The        for a three course meal for one,      National Express terminal is       including a half bottle of house      located in the centre of the city  wine or equivalent (where             on Western Esplanade within a      available) is:                        stone’s throw from the Central                                           Railway Station. Taxis can be      **** (over £40)                       hailed on the street or at ranks   at the railway and bus stations.      and is open to skaters of all      First Southampton is a company        ages and abilities. It assumes     that operates a comprehensive         dimensions of a festival           network of buses linking all          atmosphere with wigs, crash        parts of the city. Bus no. 12         helmets and fancy dress.           operates between the city centre                                         and International airport.            Food and Drink:                                                                                             Nightlife - From conventional old     Langley’s Bistro and Garden Room   alehouses to stylish bars and         Café -This is a non-smoking        nightclubs, Southampton has a         restaurant that serves the best    flourishing nightlife with a huge     of food and wine. The ambience as  chioce. The Red Lion, 55 High         well as the great customer         Street, or The Duke of                service is worth writing and       Wellington, 36 Bugle Street; are      raving about.                      two of the traditional old                                               alehouses having a decent bar         Kuti’s Brasserie - Situated in     menu.                                 the centre of the town, Kuti’s is                                       also a place that has great        Special events - There are events     ambience and offers authentic      like Titanic Memorial (Sep 4),        Indian and Bangladeshi food.       the Southampton Boat Show (Sep                                           16-25) and Trafalgar Day with         La Cantina - With dishes like      trips on the SS Shieldhall on the     fajitas, tacos and fiery chilies,  Solent (Oct 21), which are            this place makes for a good party  specific to Southampton. In           environment.                       Euroblade, October, Southampton’s                                        city streets are closed off and       Olive Tree - It offers a           turned into a track for inline        selection of the best European     skating. The event is not a race      dishes.                                                                  include a gym, pool and extensive  The Woodlands Lodge Hotel - A         business and conference            15-minute drive away from the         facilities.                        city centre, this place gives you                                        the choicest food in the most         The Star Hotel                     scenic of surroundings.               Southampton Park Hotel                                                   Dormy House Hotel                  Hotels and Accommodation:             Macdonald Botley Park Hotel, Golf                                        & Country Club                     Southampton, being an important       Initial Style Conferences          sea port, receives visitors by        GRAND HARBOUR                      the ferry-load, which means there     Express By Holiday Inn             is no shortage of places to           Southampton - M27, JCT7            choose from. The hotels given         Novotel Southampton                below are categorized into four       Chilworth Manor Classic Hotel      different pricing categories and      Dolphin Hotel                      are based on the cost of a double     Jurys Inn Southampton              room per night with breakfast and                                        including all taxes:                  Entertainment:                                                                                              **** (over £120)                      The Mayflower Theatre on                                                 Commercial Road is the largest     *** (£80 to £120)                     theatre in southern England.                                             Another good venue for live        ** (£40 to £80)                       comedy is the Jongleurs Comedy                                           Club, 2-4a High Street. There is   * (up to £40)                         normally a disco after the comedy                                        acts. There are two multiplex      The services offered by the           cinemas UGC and Odeon, which play  larger hotels will usually            the latest movies.                                                       place, which is growing every      The strategic maritime importance     year with several development      has played a noteworthy part in       projects in the pipeline, like a   how Southampton developed over        £162 million project to create a   the years. Today the port is          huge entertainment arena at West   synonymous with the city.             Quay.                              Tourists love to flock to this         About the Author: Name: Maria Williams Occupation: Traveller Website: http://www.sleepuk.com Sleep UK are an online hotel booking engine for uk hotels Source: www.isnare.com