Southampton, on England's south coast, is best known for being the port where the Titanic embarked on its fateful maiden voyage. Nowadays, the “Cruise Capital of Europe” still attracts luxury cruise liners and four million visitors each year.
Sightseeing walks and tours in and around Southampton offer visitors great opportunities to explore and make the most of a day or short break in the area. Join one of the many guided or self-guided walks and discover the history and culture of this magnificent city.

The Southampton City Golf Course is one of the best examples of a municipal course in the country, and you can play either the 18-hole course of the 9-hole course, depending on how much time you have. Premier League team Southampton FC have played their games at St Mary’s Stadium, near the city centre, since 2001, and famous former players include Alan Shearer and Theo Walcott.

The Quays is one of only four High Performance Centres for diving in the UK and several of Team GB’s Olympic divers train here. They offer taster classes if you’ve never dived before, but if you don’t fancy making that leap, there’s a fun pool with flumes, fountains, slides and a whirlpool.

The ancient New Forest National Park is on Southampton’s door step. Within a short drive or bus journey you can see thatched cottages, ponies and wildlife. Itchen Valley Country Park is also great for a family day out, with 440 acres, loads of picnic spots, and the River Itchen. If you’re feeling energetic and like heights, try swinging through the trees on the Go Ape Tree Top Trail in the park.

Britain’s biggest boat show takes over the city centre every September, when hundreds of the world’s leading sailboats and powerboats take to the water. Watch the big cruise liners coast past before hopping on the historic Hythe Ferry for a round-trip across to Southampton.

The Alpine Snowsports Centre allows you to get your winter sport fix all year round. You can try snowboarding and skiing, or just mess about on the inflatables and spin down the slope instead.

For sailing and rowing, powerboating and stand up paddle boarding, head to the Southampton Water Activities Centre. They have instructors on hand if you’re inexperienced, and options if you’re at a more advanced level and fancy a sail down the Solent.