BY TIM HEDGLEY, GROUP TRAVEL EDITOR
UEFA Women’s EUROs 2022 is heading to Southampton this summer and fans will be able to see some of the world’s best players – including Northern Ireland’s own – in action at the coastal city’s famous St Mary’s Stadium.
Three Group Stage games kick off on Thursday 7 July (Norway vs Northern Ireland), followed by Monday 11 July (Austria vs Northern Ireland) and Friday 15 July (Northern Ireland vs England).
To celebrate its host status, Southampton will be putting on an exciting ‘Fan Party’ on match days featuring live music, roaming performers, football and educational activities with a nod to women’s football history.
Football aside, there are plenty of other reasons to visit Southampton this summer including fun activities like a paddle to the pub and steamboat ride through the Solent.
While for a touch of culture there are hands-on galleries and museums; plus great shopping, restaurant options and a buzzy nightlight.
Visit Southampton’s top picks include:
Get the weekend started with Brunch in Bedford Place
Lively and stylish, and with a seasonal all-day brunch, Revolution’s rooftop Sky Bar is the ideal venue to get the short break started. Its outdoor seating area overlooks Bedford Place, a bustling boutique area of the city that sits beside the cultural quarter. https://www.revolution-bars.co.uk/bar/southampton.
Also, in Bedford Place, but with a more antipodean vibe, Southampton’s XOXO prides itself on its farm to fork menu sourced from local producers in nearby New Forest. https://www.wearexoxo.co.uk/
Cultural leanings: take in a gallery and unleash the inner Winslet
Southampton was on the shortlist for UK City of Culture 2025 and has an art scene to prove it. Ideal for visitors who want to add some culture into the mix – and perfectly located for a post-brunch browse – is the Southampton City Art Gallery.
Free and home to one of the finest art collections in the south of England, works span centuries with artists from Reynolds to Rego. For more information see www.southamptoncityartgallery.com.
Art aimed at those with an eye for the contemporary can be found at the John Hansard Gallery, which offers an ever-changing programme of exhibitions that champion up and coming artists. www.jhg.art Entrance is free.
Also, in the city’s cultural quarter is the Sea City Museum which pays homage to Southampton’s maritime heritage.
With a different take on the tragedy to the Titanic Belfast Museum, the Sea City offers a fascinating look into the devastating impact it had on the port and its people (it was home to some 500 crew and passengers).
There are also plenty of interactive exhibits plus a free to download self-guided Titanic walk from the museum, which retraces the city’s connections to the doomed vessel. www.seacitymuseum.co.uk (adults £9.50).
Bounding into Southampton: The Hares of Hampshire
From 16 June to 25 August The Hares of Hampshire will bound into Southampton on a free to experience art trail. Perfect for posing alongside, there will be 30 brightly painted and larger than life statues scattered across various locations in and around the city and beyond.
Spearheaded by actress Sarah Parish’s The Murray Parish Trust, and Wild in Art, each giant sculpture will be sponsored by a business and individual artists. The 10-week event will culminate in a charity auction to raise funds for the Murray Parish Trust. haresofhampshire.co.uk
Get Knitted: Art and history unite at God’s House Tower
God’s House Tower will welcome a new art installation by acclaimed British-Ghanaian textile and performance artist, Enam Gbewonyo this summer, exploring the many reincarnations and history – from prison to wine vault – of the heritage arts venue located in the city’s medieval wall.
Gardez L’Eau draws on themes of trade, travel, colonialism and piracy; and uses materials from God’s House Tower’s past to create a knitted artwork that runs through the entirety of the building. Gardez L’Eau will be on display at God’s House Tower, Southampton, from Friday 17 June until Sunday 14 August. www.godshousetower.org.uk
Festival Fever – from the cultural delights of Asia at the Mela Festival
One of Southampton’s biggest cultural celebrations, the Mela Festival, is a huge free event showcasing a colourful fusion of Asian music, dance and family activities. On 16th July at the city’s Hogland’s Park, international musicians and dancers together with local talent, will provide festival-goers with live on-stage performances, with an arts and craft market, food pop-ups and a children’s activity zone adding to the festival programme. https://artasia.org.uk/mela-festival/
On the water activity from Stand-up Paddling boarding to Steam Ship adventures
No trip to Southampton would be complete without an on-the-water trip, and there are plenty of options to choose from. Located 10 minutes from the centre of Southampton, Woodmill Activity Centre is a woodland oasis beside the River Itchen. Making the most of the centre’s waterside location, there’s a selection of activities to enjoy from axe throwing to kayaking and canoeing plus stand up paddle boarding and a paddle to the White Swan pub session. http://woodmill.co.uk/
Those with an interest in history can book an afternoon trip aboard the SS Shieldhall. As a member of the National Historic Fleet and a registered charity, it offers one of the most novel ways to experience this stretch of water. Bringing the golden age of steam to life, the vessel and its crew of experienced volunteers offer regular summer excursions often accompanied by a live band. As well as the sea vistas, visitors can head below decks to admire the impressive engine room with its original steam engines at work, join the captain on the bridge and admire the traditional instruments and gleaming brass work. www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk (from £38).
Shopping, pamper and play at Westquay
If retail therapy or a makeover is what is needed then West Quay Retail Park (https://www.westquayretail.com) and the Westquay Shopping Centre (www.west-quay.co.uk) – with personal styling and the Beauty Society services at John Lewis & Partners are a must.
The striking-looking venue also has a VIP bowling experience at Hollywood Bowl https://www.hollywoodbowl.co.uk (from £10.72 for two games per session) and a Locked in a Room escape session (from £25 per person) https://lockedinaroom.co.uk/escape-room-southampton.
For those seeking an independent shopping experience, the Marlands Shopping Centre is a great pit stop.
Gamers can take a trip to the action-packed High Score arcade, a free-play amusement centre with over 60 games from old school classics like spaces invaders to sports games and the latest arcade fun.
Nightlife from restaurants and bars to live music, dance and theatre
No trip would be complete without some nighttime action and Southampton doesn’t disappoint. Current hotspots include the newly opened Gin & Olive offering hundreds of handpicked gins as well as other spirits and cocktails plus non-alcoholic alternatives. The fabulous Ruby’s at the Grand cocktail lounge, Grumpy Monkey and art deco inspired Rita’s Bar and Kitchen. Other evening options include the Dancing Man Brewery, a popular micro-brewery cum restaurant right on the front by the sea. While Speakeasy lovers will enjoy the sophistication of 1932
Alternatively, there’s live music, DJs and dance at Cafe Parfait, Switch, Orange Rooms, Popworldand Trilogy plus theatre and performance at Mayflower Theatre, MAST Mayflower Studios or The Stage Door. God’s House Tower offers GHT Lates an after-hours evening of music, art and heritage on the last Friday of every month.
For news and inspiration about what’s on and what to do in the city www.visitsouthampton.co.uk
STAY: Room2: A heavenly self-catering hometel, www.room2.com is ideally located beside quiet and leafy Queens Park yet close to the marina and buzzy Oxford Street – lined with restaurants and bars.
Stylishly decorated, each room has an en suite shower room, fully equipped kitchenette and seating area for ‘pres,’ plus an onsite bar and café area. Stays are for 24 hours with check in and check out at 2 pm. Sleeping four, the M Loft is an ideal friend-sharing space. Prices from £184 for the night on room only. www.room2.com
The Moxy: Industrial chic meets nautical is the theme at Southampton’s Moxy. In a prime central location, the experiential Marriott International hotel brand is close to the West Quay Shopping Centre and the marina. As well as receiving a complimentary Moxy cocktail on arrival, guests can make use of the hotel’s 24/7 self-service food and beverage concept.
Prices start from £90 per room night based on two sharing room-only. Tel: 0238 168 0269 www.marriott.co.uk
Why fly any other way? Eastern Airways are now operating twice daily from Belfast to Southampton Sunday – Friday, with a single rotation on Saturdays.
Flights start from as little as £78.99 for a single flight with all reservations including as standard 15kg of hold baggage and 10kg of hand baggage.
For the best fares, book direct at www.easternairways.com
