Family Fun in Southampton Before Your Cruise
You’ve just booked a Southampton cruise for your family, and everyone’s excited to set sail. But if you’ve some time to spare before your trip, why not explore the city’s family-friendly activities?
Whether you want to explore a historic site, head outdoors, or simply unwind, Southampton has something for everyone.
SeaCity Museum
A great place to start before your Southampton cruise is the SeaCity Museum, one of Southampton’s most popular and family-friendly attractions. Here, you can explore the 200,000 years of the city’s history.
Its standout exhibitions include Southampton’s Titanic Story, which covers the tragic event’s impact on the city. Other highlights are the Gateway to the World exhibit and “Southampton Stories.” There are also activities for children of all ages, so your little ones won’t be bored.
Tickets cost £14 for adults and £9.50 for children aged five and above, with a 10% discount if you book ahead.
City Art Gallery
The City Art Gallery is a two-minute walk from the museum and has free entry – perfect for your next stop.
The gallery features sculptures and paintings from renowned artists spanning various eras such as renaissance, surrealism, and contemporary art. Its guided tours give you context about the artworks and the story behind them.
The gallery does more than give you things to see, though. It hosts creative workshop sessions for children and adults to explore their artistic side.
It is currently closed for refurbishments but is expected to reopen in spring.
Tudor House and Garden
Tudor House and Garden is Southampton’s oldest museum that showcases over 800 years of the city’s history.
The house, a Grade 1 listed building, features a banquet hall, an air raid shelter, and many other rooms, each with a unique story. A digital map guides your exploration journey.
The Knot Garden, designed in the early 1980s, was reimagined to reflect the original Tudor knot garden. It’s a nice place to take a short break and there are benches where families can sit and relax.
The great thing about this spot is that you can also grab a bite to eat at the café, just next to the garden. A great view and a relaxing snack? What’s not to love?
Like the SeaCity Museum, it’s a paid location. However, it’s cheaper, with tickets costing £9.50 for adults and £7.50 for children. There’s also a 10% discount for advance bookings.
Southampton Common
Southampton Common is a lovely green escape for families who want to spend more time outdoors. It is ideal for picnics, bike rides, and garden strolls.
Southampton Common spans a whopping 365 acres, making it one of the city’s largest and oldest open spaces. One of the must-see sites is the nature water park, ideal for active kids who need to burn off some energy.
From zipwires and climbing towers to swings, slides, and interactive water wheels, there’s plenty to keep the little ones entertained. The Common is also home to plenty of wildlife, like foxes, bats, woodpeckers, hedgehogs, and the rare great crested newt. So, don’t forget to bring along the binoculars!
Another great thing about this location is that it’s completely free.
Mayflower Park
Mayflower Park is just by the cruise terminals, making it a perfect place to unwind before you head off. The only park in Southampton that sits right in front of the water, it gives both locals and tourists a clear view of the harbour. It is a great location to watch massive boats and ships arrive and depart.
There is a lot of open space for children to run around and many picnic benches.
Mayflower Park is home to some of Southampton’s most significant events, like the Southampton International Boat Show, food festivals, and live music concerts. Something is always going on, especially during the warmer months.
The park is free to visit, but parking nearby costs £1.50 for up to two hours.
Enjoy Exploring Southampton
Whether you have only a few hours or a couple of days before your cruise, there’s enough to keep you happy in Southampton, from the museums, parks, and waterfront to Old Town’s historic streets. Every stop adds more fun to your trip and makes it more memorable.
If you need a place to stay while in Southampton, we recommend family-friendly accommodations like The Grand Harbour Hotel and Premier Inn.
