Where to stay

There are plenty of spots where visitors can trace Southampton's history. Hotels in the Old Town are the best choice, where it's possible to walk the medieval Town Walls and step back in time at the timber-framed Tudor House and Garden. Find many of the budget chain hotels just to the north in the modern Southampton City Centre near Central station. Those interested in the city's maritime past should explore the area around Watts Park, where they'll find the engaging SeaCity Museum and the poignant Titanic Engineers' Memorial. The Titanic set sail in 1912 on its fateful voyage from Southampton, as did the Mayflower in 1620, bound for the New World via Plymouth. Ocean Dock, the Titanic's departure point, then called White Star Dock, is just one of the spots on Southampton's self-guided Titanic Trail.

Waterside dining is one of the biggest draws to staying in Ocean Village Marina. Restaurants serving Italian small plates and Thai tapas stand alongside high-end chains and destination dining. Book a room in the Old Town for more traditional eating. You'll find brasseries, bistros, and a few excellent Indian restaurants, many serving super-fresh seafood. For outstanding pubs, consider staying outside of Southampton itself. Surrounding villages such as Shedfield and Warnford have both 16th-century inns and modern gastropubs.