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Southampton - sky guide
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Located in the centre of the southern coast of England, Southampton boasts a remarkable maritime history rivalled only by that of Portsmouth, next door. Today, this lively university city has a great nightlife to counterbalance its wealth of maritime sights.
Heavy wartime bombing and post-war redevelopment destroyed much of the city. However, there are some remarkable survivals, including stretches of the town walls, Bargate (a fine medieval gatehouse), the 15th century Merchants' Hall, and Bugle Street. The Wool House, built around 1400 as a warehouse, now houses the excellent Southampton Maritime Museum; next door is the mid-19th century Italianate Yacht Club.
Not surprisingly, much attention is given to the touristy Town and Shamrock Quays, site of the departures of the Mayflower, and of the Titanic in 1912. Souvenir shops, cafés and bars have now adopted the area. The Archaeological Museum and the Tudor House Museum in the town should not be missed; the latter contains one of Henry VIII’s cannons. To escape the throngs of tourists head for one of the city’s many beautiful parks.
Southampton is the starting point for many world-renowned boat races, including the Volvo Ocean race. As a university town, Southampton has many excellent facilities for all types of activities and sports; the Premiership Southampton Football Club is regarded with high esteem. Some of the best restaurants and liveliest pubs and clubs are located around the waterfront quays area.
Many worthwhile excursions can be made by car from Southampton. Portsmouth, famous for HMS Victory, Nelson’s Flagship (in dry dock); HMS Warrior, the most powerful warship of its time; and the Mary Rose, Henry VIII’s pride and joy, is a good start. The wonderful New Forest lies to the west of Southampton, and the Isle of Wight is across the Solent. Farther afield, Salisbury is famous for its lofty cathedral, and, of course, Stonehenge, on Salisbury Plain.
The M3 motorway feeds the city from London, and the M27 runs between Southampton and Portsmouth. Trains depart twice an hour from London’s Waterloo Station, taking 90 minutes to reach the city; National Express coaches also run throughout the day calling at the airport and the central bus station. Southampton International Airport is eight kilometres north of town on the A-35.
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