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Discover Southampton


Southampton, EnglandSouthampton, England: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Southampton_01.JPG
Author: Christophe.Finot
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Southampton is a city on the southern part of England. Located some 100 km (62 miles) to the southwest of London, Southampton is the largest city in Hampshire, England. It is located on the northernmost point of Southampton Water, at the confluence of the River Test and River Itchen, while to the south of town is the River Hamble.

Southampton is a major port in England, particularly for cruise ships. Southampton was the port where the Mayflower and the Speedwell carrying the Pilgrim Fathers made the inital translatlantic attempt to reach the New World on 15 May 1620. (The ships turned back when the Speedwell seemed to spot a leak, and the actual voyage eventually departed from Plymouth on 16 September.)

Southampton west gateThe medieval west gate of Southampton: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Southampton_04.JPG
Author: Christophe.Finot
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Southampton also went down in history - no pun intended - as the port from which RMS Titanic set sail in 1912. It is also the homeport for transatlantic cruise vessels such as the RMS Queen Mary and RMS Queen Elizabeth.

The climate of Southampton is very much influenced by its geography at the northern tip of the Southampton Water. The weather is quite cold here. The warmest months are July and August, when the average high of the day is just 20.6°C (69°F) while during the coldest month, February, the average low is 2.2°C (36°F).

National Oceanography CentreThe National Oceanography Centre in Southampton: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:National_Oceanography_Centre_Southampton_UK_seen_from_waterfront.jpg
Author: Ralf Prien
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Going to Southampton

By Plane: You can fly to the Southampton International Airport, which is not far from downtown. There are buses and coaches that can get you from the airport to the city centre in 35 to 40 minutes. It is operated by Uni-link. By Train: There are trains from London's Waterloo Station and Victoria Station to Southampton.

Bargate, SouthamptonBargate, another medieval gate in Southampton: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Southampton_-_Bargate_03.JPG
Author: Christophe.Finot
photo licensing

Going around Southampton

Southampton is quite spread out. Some places such as the waterfront is quite pedestrianised, but to cover longer distances, you will need to take the bus. The bus operators here are Uni-link, Bluestar, First, Stagecoach and Wilt & Dorset.

Places of Interest in Southampton

  1. Bargate: One of the most elaborate old city gate in England, still standing in Southampton.

  2. God's House Tower Museum of Archaeology: Museum with displays from Roman to medieval periods.

  3. Maritime Museum: Museum with exhibits about the Mayflower and the Titanic, two ships that sailed from Southampton.

Southampton is on the Map of cities in England

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Timothy Tye
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