What Is Living In Southampton Like? A Guide To Southampton

Last Updated: August 2025

Southampton is regularly named as a great place to live, especially for those looking for the city life, with easy access to countryside. Southampton is a port city, located in Hampshire on England’s South Coast region, and is the closest city to the New Forest National Park. It is rich in culture and activities, with excellent transport links and connections to the rest of the country. Southampton has around 326 acres of fields, wetlands and wildlife located in Southampton Common alone, making it one of the greenest cities in the UK. With its universities, hospitals, theatres, music and arts venues, revamped marina, and port; Southampton has become a developing cultural hub with great connections by land, sea, and air. It has become a favourite place for students, young professionals, families, retirees and sailing and cruise lovers.

 

 

Is Southampton a Nice Place to Live?

Southampton consistently ranks as a good place to live, due to its wide shopping opportunities, rich cultural diversity and fast-growing tech and innovation scene. It could be said that Southampton is the south coasts premier retail destination, due to its huge West Quay shopping centre. West Quay hosts over 100 stores including Apple, Zara, John Lewis and M&S and many more major retailers.

Thanks to the University of Southampton, Southampton has a notable diverse and youthful population. The cultural mix of over 40,000 students means that Southampton has an exceptional cultural scene, boasting many international food, exhibitions and festivals. Southampton is also famous for its port, which has given it the title, ‘cruise capital of the UK’ with all major cruise lines docking in Southampton and accepting passengers. Southampton has some popular maritime attractions such as the SeaCity Museum and the Solent Sky Museum.

Southampton is fast becoming a major tech hub. With the university being a world class institution, alongside the national oceanography centre and Ordnance Survey and startups such as Sensate and Emitwise it ranks among the top 5 tech superclusters in Europe. So whatever you are looking for in Southampton, shopping, culture of work opportunities, Southampton is a great place to live.

 

 

Southampton Population

So, how many people live in Southampton? The estimated population of Southampton area in 2023 was 1,034,239. In 2023, it was thought that females contributed to 51.93% of the Southampton population, with males making up 47.72%. A similar spilt of the population is thought to be the same. The recent average age in Southampton is 20-29 years, with young families/professionals more likely to move there.

 

Is Southampton Safe?

Is Southampton safe? Well, according to Crime Rate Southampton is statistically the most dangerous city in Hampshire and is among the top 20 most dangerous places in Hampshire. The crime rate in Southampton in 2024 was 141 crimes per 1,000 people, which has increased in the last few years according to CrimeRate.

There are some levels of crime in Southampton, with various safer areas in some parts of the city. Coxford, Redbridge and Millbrook policing area, which covers Lordshill and Regent Park just west of the city centre, has seen that most crime recorded by police in 2020 making it statistically the most dangerous place in the city of Southampton. Second, is Bargate where over 6,000 crimes were reported by police within 2020. Unfortunately, the majority of crimes recorded in the higher crime spots of Southampton are either violence and sexual offences or antisocial behaviour.

Southampton City Council has begun a Safe City:

The Safe City Strategy running from 2017-2024 is to ensure that everyone who lives, works, and visits the city can have a safe and independent life. This was renewed in 2021, the results from the 2021 assessment showed that the levels of violence, particularly against women and girls remained high and so three main priorities have been rolled out for the 5 year period 2022-2027. The 3 priorities include:

1. Keeping people safe from harm
2. Preventing and reducing offending
3. Creating safe and stronger communities

This partnership aims to reduce Southampton’s crime rate and anti-social behaviour, reduce drugs and alcohol problems, protect vulnerable people, and reduce youth crime. The organisations and commissions that are joint in this partnership include:

• Hampshire Fire and Rescue
• Southampton Clinical Commissioning Group
• Southampton City Council
• Public Health
• Hampshire Constabulary
• National Probation Service
• Community Rehabilitation Company
• Go! Southampton
• Office of Police Crime Commissioner (Hampshire)
• Youth Offending Service

Find out more about the Southampton Safe City Strategy.

 

What is Southampton’s Crime Rate?

In 2023/24 Southampton police recorded 32,555 crimes which is an 8.2% drop from the previous year. The drop is one that’s been seen across the whole of Hampshire and nationally. The stats tell us that there are around 95 crimes per 1000 residents which is slightly above the national average, but down from 141 crimes per 1000 residents. While the crime rate in the city is slightly higher than the national average, it’s mostly shop lifting. Other issues such as anti-social and vehicle crime are below average.

Residents describe Southampton as relaxed and fairly okay, but there are certain areas that they find bad for crime, although residents do note that crime levels in Southampton aren’t as bad as those in the big city.

 

 

What are the Average House Prices in Southampton?

The average price for property in Southampton area stands at £288,931 as of July 2024, according to Zoopla.

HSBC regularly includes Southampton in their Top 10 Best Places for Property Investors, making it an ideal place to search for a new property or to sell your current one. There are new properties are emerging in the Cultural Quarter of Southampton, close to arts venues and Southampton Solent University, with flats also becoming available across the River Itchen and Ocean Village. If you want to live nearer to the New Forest, over the M27 Chilworth offers properties, as well as Hythe near Southampton Water, where there are good schools and access to the New Forest.

Detached Houses in Southampton

The current average value for detached houses in Southampton is £ 420,000.

Semi-Detached Houses

The current average value for semi-detached houses in Southampton is £310,075.

Terraced Houses

The current average value for terraced houses in Southampton is £249,000.

Flats In Southampton

The current average value for flats in Southampton is £160,000 .

Average prices have decreased in the last couple of years in Southampton.

 

Is Southampton a Good Place to Invest in Property?

Southampton does boast a large range of opportunities for someone looking to invest in property, there is a wide variety of property types that will cater to anyone’s budget and tenant type.  The property types in Southampton ranges from city centre flats, Edwardian and Victorian character properties and spacious suburban family homes. This diversity is a major strength, which encourages investors to buy property in Southampton.

One big draw for buyers in Southampton is the affordability of the property, compared to other London and Southeast commuter towns. With prices remaining realistic for first time buyers and profit minded investors, it’s a popular city to buy in. The Waterfront developments such as Ocean Village and Centenary Quay is an attractive option of young professionals looking to make the most of the vibrant lifestyle by the marina. There are also great options for families looking for family friendly suburbs, such as Bitterne, Shirly and Highfield, which provide a community feel and access to great schools and green space.

Southampton has a strong rental market thanks to the large demand from the thousands of students attending Southampton and Solent University, along with the dock workers attached to the busy port. This means there is a constant supply of potential tenants, which might appeal to those looking for buy to let properties.

Overall Southampton is a great place to invest in property, both for those looking to gain rental yields and for those looking to buy a home to live in. Southampton stands out as a prime location for property investment in the UK.

 

What is the Average Rent in Southampton?

Renting can be expensive in Southampton; on average you can expect to pay £1,216pcm which is a 9.8% annual increase from the previous year. This number equates to being higher than the rise in the South East over the past year.

 

 

Best Places to Live in Southampton?

Southampton city is divided into different quarters with many attractions in each area appealing to various crowds. The safest neighbourhoods in Southampton and what some would consider the more upmarket areas in Southampton, judged on security and economic status are Highfield, Bassett, The Polygon, Eastleigh, Hedge End, Portswood and Bitterne. Rownhams, Bassett and Nursling are considered good places to live also but due to their proximity to the M27 they are quick noisy neighbourhoods are less favourable.

 

Netley

Netley is a traditional, quaint village with old shops, colourful cottages and a shingle beach looking across at Hythe. It is also home to Netley Abbey, the most complete surviving Cistercian monastery in Southern England and in the other side is the Royal Victoria Country Park. It has its own Railway Station, with hourly services to Southampton Central and Portsmouth Harbour, providing links both in and out of the village. Just on the outskirts of Southampton, the average train journey into the city centre takes just 18 minutes whilst Portsmouth is just 45 minutes away. The average age of a resident in Netley is 40 years old and the town is populated by 6,540 people as of 2022 and is expected to remain constant over the next few years.

West End

Located in the North-East of Southampton, West End is home to the Hampshire County Cricket Club and their stadium, the Ageas Bowl. Nearby is the Itchen Valley Country Park where there is a play area, play trail, off-road cycling track and a visitors’ centre. The annual West End Carnival takes place every June, celebrating the parish’s active local history.

Ocean Village

Originally the site of Southampton’s first docks, Ocean Village is a marina, residential, business and leisure development close to the River Itchen. It is now undergoing another series of major redevelopment projects, with a harbour for boats, a Cineworld, restaurants and bars, including Banana Wharf and Chiquitos. This area is very popular with young families and couples who are looking to buy a house in an up and coming area.

Bassett

Located in the Northern part of Southampton, Bassett houses around 2,100 students from the University of Southampton, in its Glen Eyre Halls complex. Bassett also offers up some of the city’s main sporting facilities, including the Southampton Sports Centre, a 150-acre site used to host the Millenium Youth games, offering facilities for football, netball, cross country, cricket and hockey; Southampton Snowsports Centre, three floodlit dry ski slopes and Southampton Golf Course, which opened back in 1935 and is set in a beautiful woodland environment.

 

The worst neighbourhoods to live in Southampton, Hampshire

Milbrook, Flowers Estate, Shirley, Bargate, Northam and St. Marys, are all considered some of the least desirable areas in the city, if you can we would avoid these areas when looking to relocate but as we all know, home is what you make it.

 

Is Southampton a Good Place to Work?

Southampton has a low unemployment rate of 4.5% in 2024. The national unemployment rate for March-May 2024 sits at 4.4% according to the Office for National Statistics, so Southampton are pretty on average here.

The average salary for someone in Southampton is £33,000 as of the end as Quarter 1 in 2024, this is slightly below the national average, which was reported to be £35,828.

The most popular occupations within Southampton are Software Engineer, Office Manger and Senior Software Engineer which see a salary of between £26,000 and £73,000 per annum. The most popular employers are in the Health and Education sectors, with the University of Southampton and the National Health Service providing thousands of jobs. Other big employers are Kingfisher plc and CooperVision Inc.

 

 

What Schools are in Southampton?

There are a variety of schools and colleges in Southampton, ranging from secondary, special and independent schools. 26 schools and colleges are rated outstanding by OFSTED within a 10-mile radius of Southampton.  To find out more about the schools within Southampton, you can visit Gov.UK.

 

The 10 Best Schools in Southampton

There are many schools to choose from within the Southampton area, but Locrating has identified the top 10 in the area, based on their Ofsted rating, student happiness and academic standing. The top 10 are as follows.

1. Barton Peveril Sixth Form College
2. Beechwood Junior School
3. Bitterne Park Primary School
4. Cantell School
5. Great Oaks School
6. Holy Family Catholic Primary School
7. Marchwood Junior School
8. Mount Pleasant Junior School
9. Orchard Infant School
10. Rosewood Free School

All of the schools listed above have received an ‘Outstanding’ rating from Ofsted and are considered to be the best schools within the Southampton area.

All of the schools listed above have received an ‘Outstanding’ rating from Ofsted and are considered to be the best schools within the Southampton area. Most of these schools cater for children aged up to 11 where they will then move onto secondary school, but the Rosewood free School caters for children aged 2-19 and St Anne’s Catholic School caters for those aged between 11-19.

 

What Universities are in Southampton?

There are two Universities in Southampton, the University of Southampton, and Southampton Solent University.

 

Is Southampton a Student City?

Southampton is home to around 40,000 students, making it an ideal place to join the community and enjoy the student lifestyle. Southampton is less expensive than other cities in the South of England, with living costs being around 20% lower than in London. There are many student houses available to rent within Southampton, and also student accommodation and halls led by the Universities. Examples include Wessex Lane, Glen Eyre, Highfield Halls, Archers Road, Mayflower and City Gateway.

 

Things to do in Southampton for Young Adults?

If you are a adult or student in Southampton and looking for things to do, there’s plenty to choose from. From seeing something at the Mayflower, to going to a museum, Marwell zoo or simply playing a game of crazy golf. Keep reading for our guide to things to do in Southampton.

 

University of Southampton

A founding member of the Russell Group, the University of Southampton is thought to be a very competitive university offering top tier education. The Sunday Times Good University Guide for 2025 ranks them as the 16^th best university in the UK, winning first place for Physiotherapy and 14 other subjects. But it is not only the UK where this university is highly rated, they are within the top 100 universities in the world as deemed by QS World University Rankings.

The University of Southampton has multiple campuses across the city, each catering to a handful of specialties, with an outreach program located in Malaysia.

Student Accommodation

With 8 halls of residence to choose from, first year students often find living on campus for a year useful before they move into private student lets with friends. When living in halls of residence, each flat is divided into single occupancy bedrooms whom all share a communal living area and kitchen. Some rooms do come with en-suites and are generally more expensive whereas for a lower cost you can share a communal bathroom with 1 or 2 other flatmates.

If you are thinking of moving into student accommodation, why not have a look at our Student Security Guide!

 

Southampton Solent University

Often referred to as Solent University, this university is based on the practical side of higher education where they provide an education for students of all abilities and backgrounds. With many links to big commercial employers, this university offers a different route for those looking to gain a higher education and then move into employment. Rated 102 on the Complete University Guide Rankings for 2025.

Student Accommodation

With 5 halls of residence, Solent University provides accommodation for all needs and requirements, offering a range of en-suite and shared options. With a communal living and kitchen, these flats are close to not only the university campuses but also the city centre and local amenities.

 

University Transport Links

The local bus services run to and from Universities, the Unilink and Bluestar services, travelling from the airport, central train stations, city centre, National Oceanography Centre, and Southampton General Hospital to the main campuses.

The U1, U1N (Night Bus), U2, U6 and U9 all travel to the University campuses. National Express provides regular coach services to Southampton from central London, Heathrow, Birmingham, Bournemouth, and the north. Southampton Coach Station is at Western Esplanade located in the city centre, however there are also some coach services that will stop at Highfield Campus. From Southampton Coach Station you can walk to the nearby Civic Centre and can travel to Highfield Campus using a Unilink bus U1 or taxi.

 

Are the Universities Safe in Southampton?

In a recent student experience survey from the Times Higher Education World University rankings, the University of Southampton was ranked 15^th out of 116 UK universities, with a security score of 79.7%.

 

 

What is the Transport like in Southampton?

By Rail

There are two main stations in Southampton, Airport parkway and Southampton Central and various smaller stations.

Southampton Central is located on the mainline to London Waterloo and will get you into the capital in just 80 minutes on the South Western Railway. These trains run every 30 minutes, with South Western Railway also providing services to Southampton Airport, Winchester, Basingstoke, Woking, Bournemouth, Poole, and Weymouth.

If you are looking to get to the coastal towns of Portsmouth and Brighton then hop on Southern Trains, which will see other destinations such as Gatwick, Swanick, Fareham, Chichester, Worthing, and Hove also on the roster.

First Great Western trains provide an hourly service between Cardiff and Portsmouth via Southampton central with stops at Fareham, Romsey, Salisbury, Bath and Bristol included.

If you are looking to head up north, hourly services to Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle are provided by Cross Country Trains.

By Bus

Like any village, town or city, Southampton have a good system of local buses that will get you in and out of the city and get you to surrounding towns and villages.

For longer trips, you might want to visit the National Express Coach Station where you can not only reach Southampton airport but also Heathrow, Gatwick and London Airports alongside other destinations such as central London, Bournemouth, Ringwood and a host of hotspots across the coast.

By Car

Southampton is connected to London by the M3, that links Southampton and South West London. The M27 runs between Southampton and Portsmouth, connecting Southampton to the South of England. The A31 links to the South West, the A36 to the North West.

By Air

Southampton airport flies to major British and Irish cities including Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh, Manchester, Leeds Bradford and Newcastle, Cork, Dublin and Belfast (all in under 90 minutes). It also has holiday and business flights to continents, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal and Switzerland.

 

By Sea

A fast passenger service 25 mins sails between Southampton and West Cowes on the Isle of Wight, but you can get a slower ferry that sails between the docks and East Cowes. There are also Southampton ferries that link to both France and Spain. Southampton is the cruise capital of the UK, with ocean liners that regularly sail worldwide, or you can have your own boat in one of the city’s marinas. The famous Mayflower boat sailed from Southampton to take settlers to the New World or America as it was known.

Cruises From Southampton

Southampton is the UK’s cruise capital, with approximately 400 ships docking there each year. Their cruise liners sail around the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Caribbean coasts. Harmony of the Seas, the world’s biggest cruise ship, has arrived in Southampton ahead of its maiden passenger voyage. The 1,188ft (361m) long vessel can accommodate roughly 6,000 passengers and features 23 swimming pools. The Wonder of the Seas, on the other hand, is expected to become the world’s largest cruise ship this year, carrying approximately 7000 people and docking in Southampton for the first time later this year! If you’re searching for a relaxing holiday on the water, you’ll most likely be boarding at Southampton’s famous docks.

 

Where is the Closest Airport in Southampton?

The main airport in Southampton is Southampton Airport near Eastleigh which is located 3.95 miles from the city centre. Other airports include Bournemouth Airport, located 21.01 miles from Southampton, London airports such as Gatwick are located 55.29 miles away and Heathrow is 59.26 miles away, as well as RAF Brize Norton airport being 59.26 miles away.

 

What is the Closest Hospital in Southampton?

There are multiple hospitals within Southampton and the surrounding areas, such as Southampton General Hospital, Royal South Hants Hospital and Southampton Treatment Centre, most hospitals and A&E services are located within the city centre and surrounding areas.

 

Commuting From Southampton

How to Commute to London

Southampton is connected to London by the M3, that links Southampton and South West London. There are also fast direct trains to London Waterloo that take 80 mins.

How to Commute to the Nearest City

The closest large city to Southampton is Reading, which is either a 1 hour 5 mins drive (47 miles) via the M3 and A33. The trainline also runs direct trains, that are 50 mins straight to Reading station.

How to Commute to Portsmouth

The average journey time on a train is 35 minutes with around 116 trains per day passing by that route. To drive to Portsmouth, it is only 20 miles and takes about 31 minutes to drive to Portsmouth harbour. This route has become quicker and easier due to the opening of the new M27 smart motorway between the 2 cities. If you want to travel by sea, the journey time between the 2 ports takes just over 40 minutes to cover the 15-mile route round the coast.

 

Where are the Best Places for Arts and Entertainment in Southampton?

Southampton has a thriving amount of theatre and arts entertainment, including The Nuffield Theatre and The Mayflower Theatre. Southampton’s vibrant new Cultural Quarter is home to many must-see attractions, this year it includes Southampton Pride, Slamma Skate Festival and Shine Night Walk. This is also near to Southampton Art Gallery which houses a permanent collection and displays of eight centuries of art, painting, drawing, photography, and film.

For music lovers, the Turner Sims, located at the University of Southampton is a top concert hall. Students also like The Joiners and the Talking Heads, both ideally located in the Polygon for up-and-coming and indie bands. For movie lovers, there are a number of cinemas and film clubs within the Southampton area. The Phoenix Cinema Club is one of the oldest film societies in the country and holds regular screenings at Union Films Cinema in the University of Southampton Student’s Union.

 

What Events are on in Southampton?

There are regular specialist markets in the city centre, including vintage and retro, antiques and collectables, arts, and crafts, as well as farmers’ and artisan food markets. Southampton’s Cultural Quarter is home to event spaces, with the O2 Guildhall Southampton offering live music performances. There is also the Southampton City Art Gallery and John Hansard Gallery which has many art exhibitions, as well as the Nuffield Southampton Theatre City that hosts performing arts, talks, films, and comedians.

There are also many events, including the popular Common People, the annual music festival that takes place on Southampton Common, hosting a variety of artists and bands, as well as having street food and many family attractions. There are also many sports events that attract visitors, such as The Ageas Bowl Cricket Ground in the outskirts of the city which regularly hosts cricket games. It also hosts Twenty20, 1 day and test matches at national and international cricket levels, as well as concerts and the popular Ageas Bowl Fireworks in November. During the spring, the city closes roads for the annual ABP Marathon; this event is now very popular, attracting thousands of runners from across the country. It now includes a full marathon, half marathon, 10k and a fun run mile for children.

Southampton’s annual Boat Show is held at Mayflower Park and Town Quay every year and is ideal for sailing and boating sport enthusiasts. This internationally renowned event attracts thousands of visitors from across the world. It offers different family activities and taster sessions for water-based activities. On Bonfire Night, Mayflower Park has a display of fireworks over Southampton water. At Christmas, there is the Winter Wonderland where the city has a German-inspired Christmas market and festive ice rink, as well as the Christmas pantomime at The Mayflower Theatre.

 

What is Southampton Famous For?

Southampton is famous for a rich and varied cultural history. In April 1912, the Titanic set sail from Southampton’s port for her maiden voyage, before tragically sinking a few days later in her journey. The Titanic Memorial can be found in the city centre, opposite the Cenotaph in Andrews (East) Park. There is also the SeaCity Museum nearby, which provides insight into the history of the city and also has interactive displays and information on the Titanic.

Southampton is also ideal for sports fans, as it is home to Southampton Football Club, a Premiere League Club. Their fans are called the Saints and you can watch their games at St. Mary’s Stadium.

Southampton also has many famous landmarks throughout the city, being home to some of the UK’s best-preserved medieval town halls. The town has more than 90 listed buildings and 30 ancient monuments, making it ideal for tourists. There is the historic entrance to the medieval town named Bargate near the city centre.

 

What are the Best Hotels in Southampton?

The best hotels to visit are Southampton Harbour Hotel and Spa, with a 5-Star TripAdvisor rating, room2 Southampton and Elizabeth House Hotel.

Southampton Harbour Hotel

As the name suggests this hotel sits on the marina and offers stunning views of passing cruise ships and yachts. It’s yacht club style design, sees contemporary elegance and luxury ooze from every corner of the hotel which is why it has been rated 5 out of 5 on TripAdvisor. With over 1000 reviews, it’s not surprise that this hotel has received the coveted Travellers’ Choice Award for 2021. As of 2021, this hotel is the only 5 star hotel in Southampton and offer an unmatched night stay.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Southampton

Set in a wooded area off the M27 motorway the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel is just 10 minutes’ drive away from the city centre and Southampton cruise. Enjoy garden views with afternoon tea at this stunning hotel retreat. The hotel is pet friendly and has its own restaurant offering breakfasts and dinner services. It is also near to some of Southampton’s most popular restaurants; La Baronia, The Art House or Mexigo. It also backs on to the stunning Stoneham Golf Course so be sure to bring your clubs!

Elizabeth House Hotel

Rated 4.3 on Trip Advisor, this hotel is the perfect place to stay with you family, friends and even pets. They have numerous pet friendly rooms available, but make sure that you request a pet friendly room in advance as they only have a set number of them. This quiet little hotel is placed in a great place for exploring Southampton and has even received the Travellers’ Choice Award.

Novotel Southampton Hotel

In Southampton’s centre, this Novotel Hotel looks over the port and is just 450 yards from Southampton Central Rail Station. It has an indoor heated pool and modern rooms with 26-inch LCD TVs. Less than a mile from the Mayflower Theatre means it’s well within walking distance! If you’re looking for a more adrenaline filled stay, Paulton’s Park is only 9 miles away including its unique Peppa Pig World.

 

Where are the Best Places to Shop in Southampton?

Southampton is home to one of the most popular shopping destinations WestQuay Shopping Centre. Here you’ll find popular retail therapy hot spots like Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, Next, Apple, Levi’s, Zara and New Look. With over 90 stores to choose from you can spend hours walking around here. And when you have shopped till you dropped you can head up to the food court where you’ll find a range of restaurants and cafés. Open till late most days you can shop 9am to 8pm Monday to Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sundays.

If you head out of West Quay onto the Southampton High Street, you find even more brand name stores. With shops such as Urban Outfitters, Primark, and TK Maxx there are even more shopping opportunities. This is also where the Christmas Market is held annually, and where you can find lots of different stalls selling different homemade gifts and unique finds.

If you travel up the Highstreet you’ll come to a second, but smaller, shopping centre The Marlands. Home to some individual boutiques and cafes with some brand thrown in, The Marlands is worth a stroll around if you are looking to grab a drink at Starbucks, smell some perfume at The Perfume Shop or get your ears pierced at Clarie’s.

 

Where are the Best Places to Eat in Southampton?

There are many great places to eat different cuisine within Southampton. The Mayflower Village next to the Mayflower Theatre serves beer, wine, spirits, and food. Another popular one is Tang’s Chinese Restaurant, a traditional restaurant that offers a buffet lunch and dinner. Ennio’s is another popular choice, it is a traditional Italian ristorante Bacaro facing directly onto the old waterfront and also The Fish Station, a fish and chip shop on East Street. Currently popular is the all you can buffet COSMO, serving dishes from all over the world! Other popular choices include:

Dancing Man Brewery

A timber-heavy brewpub and restaurant that is located in a medieval woolhouse, with a deep South-inspired menu.

The Pig in the Wall

A daytime deli and cosy boutique hotel restaurant, with simple but delicious food from the New Forest’s Pig Hotel, being served from noon until 8pm.

Coriander Lounge

This is a traditional Indian restaurant, a high-street curry house that uses ancient cooking techniques. The karai, parsi and chef’s specials are popular choices and very appealing.

 

What are the Best Bars in Southampton?

Southampton has many bars for students, young professionals, and the rest of the community. A few popular ones are listed below:

Bring & Mix

Offering a unique environment based on their name, you bring a bottle or two of spirit and the bar workers mix it into a drink for you and your party using only the freshes fruit, vegetable jucies, homemade syrups, spices, herbs. Without a menu in sight, the same cocktail is never made twice as it is completely tailored to your tastes. Without a menu, they don’t charge by drink but rather by the hour in a speakeasy sort of mystery. Prices start at £24 per person for 2 hours, so make sure to get your drinks in.

Orange Rooms Southampton

With its cocktail drinks, Orange Rooms is a bar with kitsch, 70’s inspired leather sofas, pouffes and booths, for cocktails and weekly DJ nights.

 

Best Places To Go Clubbing In Southampton

Every Monday

The start of the week is when most students head down to Jesters, where you can rave with the cheesy setlists, and drinks deals.

Every Tuesday

On Tuesdays, students head down to Sobar, very well regarded across the city. They specialise in vodka shots and are a student night classic. There is also a huge outdoor area that is perfect for the summer months, but they also open during the winter with heaters and ample seating, making it perfect for any time of year.

Every Thursday

On Thursdays, Café Parfait is a popular student night, their Thursday nights ‘Chocolate Factory’ is regularly spoken about on campus as one of the very best nights out that you can have in the city. There are great drink offers, great music and an excellent vibe that makes it a perfect night out.

Every Friday

Friday nights at Switch are ideal for locals and students, with their student friendly Friday ‘Juiced.’ Its various floors are perfect for students looking for a wide range of music genres. They also run the famous musical festival in Southampton, Soundclash and the club is highly recommended as a great student night out.

 

Top 15 Things to do in Southampton

1. SeaCity Museum
2. Solent Sky Museum
3. Tudor House and Garden
4. Mayflower Theatre
5. Medieval Town Walls
6. Bargate
7. Southampton City Art Gallery
8. Hythe Ferry
9. Southampton Common
10. Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
11. Ninja Warrior UK
12. Marwell Zoo
13. TeamSport Go Karting Southampton
14. Flip Out Southampton
15. Alpine Snowsports Southampton

 

Things To Do In Southampton

1. Ninja Warrior UK

Inspired by ITV’s hit programme, you can climb, balance, jump and swing across different obstacles using and developing your Ninja skills. This is great for days out with family and friends and the perfect birthday party!

2. Mayflower Theatre

This is the biggest theatre on the south coast with over 2,300 seats in their auditorium. It shows a variety of shows and is the perfect evening if you want to sit back and be entertained!

3. Medieval Town Walls

Southampton’s town walls are a sequence of defensive structures built around the town in southern England. They date all the way back to 1180! The walls are the perfect place to take a walk whilst learning about the historical heritage they hold.

Does Southampton have a beach?

Southampton has several shingle beaches, which are the perfect spot for sitting and watching the world pass by. Southampton unfortunately isn’t known for its sandy beaches, but is a short drive to Portsmouth beach or Bournemouth beach to get the sand between your toes.

 

 

Where Else can I Live in Hampshire?

If Southampton doesn’t seem like the right fit for you, then there are other places nearby that you could consider.

Portsmouth is a waterfront city with a famous maritime heritage. London is reachable by car in under 2 hours.

Basingstoke is another option within the county of Hampshire. This popular commuter town is only 48 miles southwest of London and is the largest town within the county of Hampshire.

 

Need a Locksmith in Southampton?

When moving into a new home changing the locks is vital as you never know how many keys are out there and risk the keys falling into the wrong hands. Arrange for a Southampton Locksmith to come and fit a new lock the day you get your keys to provide you with peace of mind. We at Keytek^® Locksmiths Southampton provide a professional local mobile Locksmith service complying with British Standard and Home Insurance policies to ensure your home is as secure as can be! What’s more is all our customers benefit from a FREE home security check on site to ensure your home is as secure as can be!

There are many other things you need to consider when moving home so check out our Moving Home Checklist to help you along the way! Once you’re in, consider improving the security of your home further still by checking out our Ultimate Guide to Home Security here!

View our Keytek^® Locksmiths Southampton page to find your local Locksmith today or call us on 023 8202 6725!