a day in southampton
It's easy to sail over to Southampton from the Isle of Wight for a day trip to remember. Our ferries travel the Solent from East Cowes or West Cowes to Southampton and back. No matter which direction you’re heading, why not plan to spend some time in scenic Southampton? This vibrant and historic port town has plenty to offer visitors in the way of delightful dining, fascinating history, and world-class museums.
If you’re ready to create your ideal day in Southampton, here’s a suggested itinerary to get you started!
Getting to Southampton by Ferry
The Red Jet Foot Passenger ferry departs from West Cowes every 75 minutes (35 minutes at peak times). It runs every day except 25th December and the trip takes just 28 minutes to our Terminal 2 in Southampton. If travelling from East Cowes, you’ll take the Red Funnel Vehicle Ferry as a foot passenger. This trip takes an hour, with departures every 60 minutes from March to October and every 90 minutes from November to February. The Red Funnel Vehicle Ferry runs 365 days per year.
Start with the most important meal of the day
There’s a whole lot to do in Southampton, so you’ll want to make sure you’re well-fuelled with a hearty breakfast. Start the day with a fantastic brunch & coffee at Mettricks West-Quay. Mettricks is Southampton’s first specialty coffee roaster, providing Sotonians with excellent coffee and fresh food made with locally sourced ingredients. There are actually five Mettricks locations in Southampton, but the West-Quay outlet is conveniently located in the Westquay Shopping Centre. With over 100 stylish shops to explore, you can hop straight from your Mettricks Full — complete with eggs, bacon, sausage, roasted tomato, mushrooms, hash browns, baked beans, and toast — to the shops.
Shop around West Quay
What will you find at West Quay Shopping Centre? With nearly 100,000 square metres of retail and leisure space, you could easily spend the whole day popping in and out of shops from some of the UK’s biggest brands. It’s also home to plenty of events, so check out their calendar to see if any upcoming gatherings pique your interest. Take your time and enjoy one of the city’s favourite gathering places.
Explore our Titanic history
The tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic is a big part of the history of Southampton. The British ocean liner began her maiden voyage in Southampton, and 500 of the people who perished aboard were from the city. As a result, the tragedy has affected generations of Sotonians. The SeaCity Museum opened 100 years after the Titanic set sail and offers a fascinating look at the world-famous ship and the history of Southampton. This is a must-see experience for anyone interested in UK and maritime history!
Southampton’s Titanic Story is part of the museum’s permanent exhibition and allows you to step aboard the ship and learn more about it, with over 200 artefacts and an incredible 1:25 scale interactive model. But the SeaCity Museum goes beyond the RMS Titanic. As a key gateway to the rest of the world for over 200,000 years, Southampton is positively brimming with human stories. The museum’s Gateway to the World exhibition is a fascinating dive into the history of this incredible place.
A cosy lunch
Once you’ve explored the city’s fascinating history, it’s time for lunch! Head over to THE PIG-in the wall Deli. This cosy eatery is located in THE PIG, a boutique hotel in the heart of Southampton—in fact, it’s built right into the medieval wall. The menu is classic lunch fare that’s sure to please deli lovers. Sausage rolls, quiches, toasties, and much more are all available. Plus, the ingredients are proudly local. THE PIG-in the wall sources their produce from within a 25-mile radius, with much of it coming from their own gardens, so you’ll be dining on incredibly fresh food that’s also sustainably sourced.
An afternoon ramble
Next on the agenda? How about a little ramble around town? You didn’t need to bring your car because you travelled by ferry! So take some time to explore by foot and see all the amazing sights in this historic city. Southampton Tourist Guides Association offers several fun and fascinating tours that will get you out on your feet and walking about the city in search of hidden gems guided by local experts. From the famous medieval walls to tales of the ghosts who haunted the city’s pubs to chances to walk in the footsteps of pilgrims from the 1600s, there’s something for every interest.
Waterfront Dining & A Show
For dinner, enjoy a meal right on the water. Ennios is located in an upscale boutique hotel and serves classic Italian dishes right near our ferry terminal. Head Chef Sara Plutino’s menu uses only the freshest ingredients. From calamari fritti to a selection of delightful pastas, chef’s signature meat and seafood dishes, and grilled steaks with hand-cut chips, you’ll find something delicious to cap off a great day in Southampton. The atmosphere is picture perfect: white tablecloth dining, facing directly onto the old waterfront.
After dinner, catch a performance at Mayflower Theatre. This Grade II-listed Art Deco theatre received a major renovation in 2018 and is a popular spot for entertaining performances of all kinds — West End musicals, comedy shows, ballet, opera, and much more. Explore their Shows & Events calendar to see what’s on.
Keep the Evening Going
Fancy a nightcap or a cheeky pint before calling it an evening? Dancing Man Brewery is the ideal place for some tasty brews and bites. Located right next to the Southampton docks, opposite the ferry terminal, it’s right in the heart of Southampton and right where you want to be. Dancing Man Brewery is a favorite for beer lovers and has the awards to show for it. Voted Best Pub in Southampton for four years straight, they also boast a long list of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) Awards. What beers are on the list? You name it: best bitters, IPAs, lagers, radlers, stouts, and more. Their selection changes week to week, so you’ll have a chance to enjoy their takes on classic brews and their creative takes on new styles.
Make It an Overnight Trip
If you decide you’d actually like to make your Southampton day an overnight, there are plenty of hotels and inns to choose from. You can head back to Ennios where you had dinner, which is also one of Southampton’s best boutique hotels. You can also head back to your lunch spot – THE PIG-in the wall has 12 delightful rooms, each of which has its own quirky features and special touches – picture yourself falling asleep under slanted beams in a room that features its own staircase or enjoy a night in a larger bedroom that offers a large walk-in monsoon shower and standalone bathtub. No matter which room you choose, you’ll be treated to a completely unique and distinctly Southampton experience.
Start Planning Your Southampton Adventure
Ready to book your crossing? Make sure to take advantage of our special offers for Islanders and start planning your perfect day in Southampton.