Attractions in and around Southampton

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scrambledegg

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I'm planning a foray into Southampton, from Portsmouth so nothing heroic. I just wondered which of the several marinas you would choose to spend the night in if you hadn't been before, ie Town quay, or, up the Itchen. What restaurants and other attractions are worth visiting.
Many thanks
 
Nothing much up the Itchen. Town Quay is nearest to the city. Ocean village....hmmm (there's Kuti's). Go up the Hamble (much nicer). Hamble village or Swanwick have nice pubs and restaurants.
 
Hythe would be my choice, pleasant town fairly close to marina with ferry option for the bright lights of Soton. Second choice Port Hamble which at least gives pedestrian access to a town. My experience of the Itchen is limit to OV and SQ which both have a fairly uninspiring hinterland though the Wetherspoons near OV is OK, if that's your thing. It is mine but I suspect I'm in a minority on here.
 
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Ocean Village would be my choice. Then either the Royal Southampton YC or the Pitcher and Piano Pub in the marina, or a short walk to Oxford Street where there are more pubs and restaurants than you can shake a stick at.
 
I would avoid SQ, the tide really rips through the moorings. I usually go to OV, as has been said, there's a big choice of pubs and restaurants nearby.
 
Thanks for inputs so far.
I'm getting the impression that Southampton, central or waterfront, isn't much to get excited about. I'm liking the votes for some of the surrounding areas, with which I'm also unfamiliar.
 
A stop at the elephant boatyard gives you the floating ferry restaurant. The ship Inn. Deacons very good bistro. Then fancy a trip in to town a shuttle train every hour In to central Southampton for £3. 50 yards Way.

Steveeasy
 
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scrambledegg said:
Thanks for inputs so far.
I'm getting the impression that Southampton, central or waterfront, isn't much to get excited about. I'm liking the votes for some of the surrounding areas, with which I'm also unfamiliar.
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If you are going to Southampton (and I'd have to disagree with the impression that you've formed) I'd say OV or Town Quay. Up the Itchen is still relatively industrial and you are the wrong side of some of the less salubrious areas (though not as bad as they used to be) to get to the Town Centre. I'd pick OV as more sheltered and due to the lack of passing traffic over Town Quay, BUT the hotel they've recently built in the centre of the marina pumps out music to all hours some days and avoid the bar there as it has dire reviews.

Personally I'd avoid the Pitcher and Piano or RSYC for very different reasons (one too young and noisy for me the other the opposite) but rather like Maritimo Lounge for breakfast or a snack or the multitude of places on Oxford Street (5 mins walk) for something more substantial (another vote for Kuti's). In town the Sea City museum is very good and I keep meaning to go to Solent Sky which is right by OV. There are also the two cinemas in OV and the theatre in town.

On the Hamble it's worth noting that there is no bar or restaurant at Mercury since the Waterside closed in April. The two are rather chalk and cheese options though, city centre vs out in the country.
 
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Elecglitch said:
If you are going to Southampton (and I'd have to disagree with the impression that you've formed) I'd say OV or Town Quay. Up the Itchen is still relatively industrial and you are the wrong side of some of the less salubrious areas (though not as bad as they used to be) to get to the Town Centre. I'd pick OV as more sheltered and due to the lack of passing traffic over Town Quay, BUT the hotel they've recently built in the centre of the marina pumps out music to all hours some days and avoid the bar there as it has dire reviews.

Personally I'd avoid the Pitcher and Piano or RSYC for very different reasons (one too young and noisy for me the other the opposite) but rather like Maritimo Lounge for breakfast or a snack or the multitude of places on Oxford Street (5 mins walk) for something more substantial (another vote for Kuti's). In town the Sea City museum is very good and I keep meaning to go to Solent Sky which is right by OV. There are also the two cinemas in OV and the theatre in town.
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As a Southampton resident berthed in one of the marinas up the Itchen I'd agree with all of this (except that I can't vouch for Sea City, but thinking maybe I should go now :) ).

Pete
 
Solent sky is worth a trip if you like old planes, I enjoyed it.

Lived in OV for about 8 years. Never really took to the P&P, Maritimos is better in my view. Only disappointing thing is the lack of a decent ale. The Grapes on Oxford street, the Platform Tavern or the Dancing Man Brewery are best for real ale drinkers within walking distance of OV. Oxford street for dinner gives a lot of options, or if you fancy cheap but very tasty noodles try Fusion, which is a 10 minute walk. Kutis is ok, but not the best Curry House in Southampton. I'd give that to the Coriander Lounge on the high st.

If you or your crew are young or young at heart then try the Frog and Frigate for dancing on the tables....
 
prv said:
As a Southampton resident berthed in one of the marinas up the Itchen I'd agree with all of this (except that I can't vouch for Sea City, but thinking maybe I should go now :) ).

Pete
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I'd second Pete. there is loads to do and most of it easy walking distance from OV.

I don't think anybody has mentioned Oxford Street - 5 mins walk from OV and is full of restaurants.

If you fancy a flutter, there is the Genting Casino just round the corner (bottom of Oxford Street).

If you are stuck there in the day, swimming at The Quays is nice - there are pools for kids, lanes for adults and a diving pool. It helps if you take your own lock for the lockers, but if you don't have one they will give you one for a refundable deposit.

There are three theatres in Southampton. The big one is the Mayflower. For more informal and wider ranges of theatre, check out Nuffield Campus (at Southampton Uni - short direct bus ride) or its sister NST City, which is within easy walking distance of OV.

https://www.nstheatres.co.uk/city

If you do come up to Elephant / Decans after Tuesday, please bring overalls. Paean is out of the water and we can use all the help we can get to sand her down and repaint / re-varnish :cool:
 
Elecglitch said:
Not sure how often (if at all) it's open these days.

Concur with flaming on his comments especially re beer in Maritimos.
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The Frog and Frigate got a new burst of life around 2015. Unless the recent Tripadvisor reviews are a work of fiction, it is definitely still going. Their website lists the dates when it is open as every Friday and Saturday.
 
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