Being the port that HMS Titanic started its maiden journey from, Southampton’s marine past and present is definitely worth diving into. Visit the SeaCity Museum to learn about the famous ocean-liner’s history through interactive displays, or spend the day lounging and watching sailboats in the sun, on the modern banks of Southampton’s Ocean Village. The city is also a great place to set out on day trips into the south coast’s vast offerings of nature and leisure. Hire one of our great car rentals and explore the beautiful heathland of New Forest, take a ferry into the Isle of Wight or man the walls at Hurst Castle.
If you’re flying into Southampton Airport, you can find our car hire branch office opposite the terminal. Just follow the signs guiding towards car rentals. The airport is a short 15 minute drive on the A335, that takes you right into the city centre. If you’re in the city already, you can find rentals in our Southampton Central Docks branch, the East Southampton branch in Bitterne, our Totton West Southampton branch and a short drive north from the airport in the Eastleigh branch by the fire station.
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The tragic maiden voyage of world-famed HMS Titanic started in Southampton’s port. The SeaCity Museum near Watts Park is a must-see for anyone interested in the ship’s story and maritime history of England. It’s filled with interactive displays and even features replicas of the Titanic’s interiors for you to enjoy. If you fancy seeing how inhabitants of the city lived during the Tudor times, take a short walk towards the waterfront and you’ll find yourself in Southampton’s historical district right behind the still-standing Old Wall. There, you can visit Tudor House – a restored Tudor mansion with remains of a 12th century Norman home. Not far from this gem, you will find the Medieval Merchant’s House and its restored innards that show what life looked like in 14th century Southampton. To catch some fresh air after, head town to the Ocean Village and relax by the marina with some food in one of the nearby waterfront eateries.
Southampton’s coastal location and the fantastic road network surrounding the city, make it a great hub for setting out on day trips from. Enjoy a walk through the 440 acres of parkland and down the course of River Itchen in Itchen Valley Country Park, or see over 170 exotic and endangered animals in Marwell Zoo. If you love unscathed nature, you simply must visit New Forest National Park, created in 1079 by William I the Conqueror as royal hunting grounds. Its pink-flowered heathland stretches over rolling hills for miles and the ancient forest makes you feel like you’re in a fairy tale. It’s famous for its free-roaming wild horses that you will surely come across during a drive or hike on the seemingly endless trails. For car lovers, the south-eastern part of New Forest is home to the Beaulieu National Motor Museum – a display of over 250 vehicles and the World of Top Gear, where fans of the show can see iconic vehicles from the TV show.
When driving around Southampton and the surrounding area, there a few key things to remember: