WEEKEND IN… SOUTHAMPTON
Port cities have a unique character that comes from looking outwards, a kind of international heritage all their own. On the Hampshire coast, Southampton is synonymous with the heady hustle and bustle of sea travel, from the ocean-going liners of yesteryear to the sleek cruise ships of the present day, as well as huge container ships, troop ships in times of war, and ferries plying their trade. Ships have brought people and goods here from all over the world – invaders and traders, importers and exporters, pleasure travellers and those whose work depends on them.
That ongoing story is writ large all over this vibrant city. From its medieval walls, Mayflower Theatre and Titanic memorial to its busy modern ferry and cruise terminals, the sea makes its presence felt everywhere. And, like all great maritime cities, Southampton is forever evolving. It has a young population, given that there’s more than one university in town. The centre boasts plenty of shopping, restaurants and hotels to cater for all those visitors, travellers and residents, and once-redundant docks have been transformed into shiny new marinas
