Southampton. Is it that bad

[hash tag]

I am toying with the idea of a weekend in Soton area in a couple of weeks and was looking at staying in the town as it's handy for an event we want to visit. It looks it has some ok hotels and the art gallery looks worthy of a visit
Can Southampton really be as bad as everyone makes out?

 

[killer b]

I've not been to Southampton, but nowhere is as bad as people make out

 

[Sweet FA]

There's a thread somewhere...I can guarantee that no matter how old that thread is, nothing much has changed.

 

[mojo pixy]

It's really boring. Visit Portsmouth instead

 

[hash tag]

It's really boring. Visit Portsmouth instead

Been to Portsmouth quite a few times and never really been to Southampton. Besides Southampton is nearer our main reason to visit.
Like I say, the art gallery has great potential.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

I have been to Southampton once, must be 20+ years ago for a job interview. Had a bit of a mooch round while i was there - seemed fairly harmless, a few historic bits left.

Can't remember a lot, though. I didn't get offered the job, but I didn't go away thinking 'I do not want to live here' like I have done once or twice

 

[David Clapson]

If you go all the way to Soton you might as well carry on to Cowes on the fast ferry and have a bit of island life.

 

[marty21]

I went to Southampton a few years ago to meet some Canadian relatives of Mrs21 who had docked there on a cruise. We had a wander around the city centre - pretty underwhelming tbf.

 

[Jimmy Don't]

never really been to Southampton.

Have you been to Scunthorpe?

 

[Boudicca]

The only reason I go to Southampton is to go to Ikea. There's a theatre there called the Mayflower which sometimes has interesting stuff on.

But you could do some good outings from there - beach , forest, Portsmouth, IOW etc depending on the weather.

 

[hash tag]

Have you been to Scunthorpe?

I cant say that I have

 

[ouirdeaux]

Speech defect, or prudishness?

 

[t0bytoo]

I have the dubious pleasure of being not far from Southampton. I go for gigs sometimes. Couple of small-ish venues that having touring bands (in between all the tribute/covers nonsense).

Had a day to spend there recently and got pretty bored after wandering around the art galleries. Can't speak much for any of the nearby towns/cities. That's probably just me, though.

 

[polly]

My sister lives in Southampton and I've had some great times there, but it is not an interesting city. Why don't you stay in the New Forest/on the coast and go into Soton for whatever it is you want to see there? Or if you're determined to stay there I can ask her for some recommendations...?

 

[hash tag]

My sister lives in Southampton and I've had some great times there, but it is not an interesting city. Why don't you stay in the New Forest/on the coast and go into Soton for whatever it is you want to see there? Or if you're determined to stay there I can ask her for some recommendations...?

There appear to be a few good hotels in Southampton, Pig In The Wall stands out. Not many coastal hotels near the New forest

 

[editor]

I've been there a couple of times recently. It's really not a great city to visit.

Pics: Southampton photos: parks, architecture, level crossing and late winter snow

The Stranger Is Always Watching: 36 street photos taken around Southampton

It’s been nine years since I last visited Southampton on England’s south coast, but I was playing a gig with my new band last weekend, I took time out to take a stroll around town. Here…

www.urban75.org

 

[Elpenor]

My brother lived there for a bit, it seemed fairly grotty when I went to visit but maybe that was just the area he lived in.

 

[polly]

Not many coastal hotels near the New forest

Ok then

 

[MickiQ]

I've been to Southampton four times so far in my entire life. Once to work, once to catch a cruise ship and twice to visit the parents of my son's girlfriend who live there. It's not somewhere people visit, it's somewhere people live and work.
The first time we went to visit Pollyanna's folks (and return her to them for a long visit) they took us to a really good Chinese restaurant though I can't remember what the name of the place was. We used Southampton as a base and visited Stonehenge, Stourhead, Highclere Castle and Osborne House on the IOW. I really don't know what if anything there is to see in Southampton but there is plenty within easy reach.

 

[hash tag]

Ok then

Unless you know differently, at least not where we are ultimately heading to

 

[Chilli.s]

Been to Portsmouth quite a few times and never really been to Southampton. Besides Southampton is nearer our main reason to visit.
Like I say, the art gallery has great potential.

The art gallery is good, not huge though. The museums have changed since I last visited them but they did used to have a lot of very interesting stuff. Not sure where all the collections have gone but think some of it went into the Sea City Museum a new thing that replaced several old ones

 

[The39thStep]

Stayed two days there as part of work. Went out for a few beers and to watch a midweek game and the pub was full of Man Utd supporters.

 

[izz]

If you go all the way to Soton you might as well carry on to Cowes on the fast ferry and have a bit of island life.

I used to have to go to Cowes regularly and though I don't miss the job I do miss the redcat ferry ride

 

[polly]

Unless you know differently, at least not where we are ultimately heading to

I'm so sorry, I completely misread you I don't know anything about hotels but by coincidence sister is here so can easily ask.

 

[hash tag]

No worries. Thank you. X

 

[Jimmy Don't]

Does anyone on this thread leave any clothes at their Aunt's house?

 

[Looby]

As others have said, Southampton itself can be a bit grim. I only go for shopping and gigs.
In 15/20 minutes you can be out into the forest. Places like Lyndhurst are much prettier with nice walks.

I met a scary, stalky pony there a couple of weeks ago that freaked us out. Look for him.

 

[NoXion]

I've not been to Southampton, but nowhere is as bad as people make out

Same could be said for a lot of places that people slag off. Honestly it just comes across as petty and mean-spriited a lot of the time.

 

[Pickman's model]

I think of Southampton as a larger version of Chatham. But I didn't take to Chatham when I went there a few years ago, I had no preconceptions but came away with a definite negative view - same as Southampton for me

 

[kalidarkone]

Mdk1's dad is from Southampton, so spent lots of time there but years ago.
The place has no soul.
If it were a colour it would be magnolia or beige.
It's bland.