Southampton travel guide — Southampton tourism and travel information

Southampton travel guide

about Southampton

Southampton is a city and major port situated on the south coast of England. It is the closest city to the New Forest and lies at the northern-most point of Southampton Water approximately halfway between Portsmouth and Bournemouth.

Although historically a part of the county of Hampshire, the city became an independent unitary authority in local government re-organisations on April 1, 1997. This makes Southampton an administrative county in its own right though it remains part of Hampshire for ceremonial purposes and in common usage. Under the name of Southampton there are several districts within the city, including Woolston, Bitterne, Portswood, Bassett, Shirley, Millbrook and Swaythling.

In common with many British towns and cities, such as Coventry and Plymouth, it was heavily bombed during the Second World War. Many historic buildings were lost as a result but the old city walls remain, as does the Bargate, formerly the main gateway to the city, located at the northern end of the walls. There are numerous large parks in the city centre.

Southampton history

Although Stone Age settlements are known to have existed in the area, the first permanent settlement was established by the Romans. Known as Clausentum, it was an important trading port for the large Roman towns of Winchester and Salisbury.

The Anglo-Saxons moved the centre of the town across the River Itchen to its present location, and it remained an important port. The Viking King Canute the Great is supposed to have defeated the Anglo-Saxon King Ethelred the Unready here in 1014. However, its prosperity was assured following the Norman Conquest in 1066, when it became the major port of transit between Winchester (then the capital of England) and Normandy.

It was sacked in 1338 by the French, including the pirate Grimaldi, who used the plunder to help found the principality of Monaco.

The Second World War hit Southampton particularly hard, because of its strategic importance as the major industrial area on the South Coast. Pockets of Georgian architecture remain, but much of the city was levelled.

Southampton was awarded city status in 1964 following a royal charter.

Southampton has had a few significant impacts on global history...

Near cities to Southampton

• Winchester travel guide 18 km
• Newport travel guide 25 km
• Portsmouth travel guide 27 km
• Salisbury travel guide 33 km
• Bournemouth travel guide 41 km
• Bath travel guide 84 km
• Wells travel guide 92 km
• Oxford travel guide 95 km
• Bristol travel guide 100 km
• Gloucester travel guide 120 km

Near webcams to Southampton

• Southampton webcam 2.2 km
• Southampton City Centre webcam 2.2 km
• Swanage - Station Road webcam 51 km
• Swanage Bay cam webcam 52 km
• Oxford - High Street webcam 93 km
• Bristol webcam 100 km
• Bristol webcam 100 km
• Bristol Port webcam 110 km
• Brighton - beach webcam 110 km
• Brighton - The West pier webcam 110 km

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Southampton travel services

cheap flights to Southampton

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Southampton travel books

Southampton travel guide books

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Southampton maps and atlases

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