PYRTPlan Your Road Trips
Create TripMy TripsCommunityMerchandise
PYRTPlan Your Road Trips
Create TripMy TripsCommunityMerchandise
S
Destinations
Home›Destinations›Southampton
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland

Southampton

England, United Kingdom · Europe

About Southampton

Southampton works well as a base: 5 minutes from Marchwood, 14km from New Forest National Park.

Southampton is a city located in England, United Kingdom. With a population of 269,781, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Southampton sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Southampton to your route.

About Southampton

Southampton is a port city and unitary authority in Hampshire, England. It is located approximately 80 miles (130 km) southwest of London, 20 miles (32 km) west of Portsmouth, and 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Salisbury. Southampton had a population of 248,920 at the 2021 census, making it one of the most populous

Read more cities in southern England. Southampton forms part of the larger South Hampshire conurbation which includes the city of Portsmouth and the boroughs of Havant, Eastleigh, Fareham and Gosport. A major port, and close to the New Forest, Southampton lies at the northernmost point of Southampton Water, at the confluence of the River Test and Itchen, with the River Hamble joining to the south. Southampton is classified as a Medium-Port City. Southampton was the departure point for the RMS Titanic and home to 500 of the people who died in the sinking. The Spitfire was built in the city, and Southampton has a strong association with the Mayflower, being the departure point before the vessel was forced to return to Plymouth. In the past century the city was one of Europe's main ports for ocean liners. More recently, Southampton is the home port of some of the largest cruise ships in the world. The Cunard Line maintains a regular transatlantic service to New York from the city. Southampton is also one of the largest retail destinations in the South of England. Southampton was heavily bombed during the Second World War during what was known as the Southampton Blitz. It was one of the major embarkation points for D-Day. In the Middle Ages Southampton was where troops left England for the Battle of Agincourt. It was itself raided by French pirates, leading to the construction of the fortified town walls, many of which still stand today. Jane Austen also lived in Southampton for a number of years. In 1964, the town of Southampton acquired city status, becoming the City of Southampton. Some notable employers in the city include the University of Southampton, Ordnance Survey, BBC South, Associated British Ports, and Carnival UK.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Southampton

Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.

Filter presets

Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.

Booking.comExpediaTripAdvisorHotels.comAgodaAirbnb

Compare before you book!

Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Southampton.

Explore the Area

Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Southampton.

Loading map...
Open in Google Maps

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Southampton?

Southampton offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Southampton?

Plan your road trip to Southampton with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Southampton as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Southampton located?

Southampton is located in England, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 50.9040 latitude, -1.4043 longitude.

What is the population of Southampton?

Southampton has a population of approximately 269,781 people, making it a city in United Kingdom.

Plan a Road Trip

Add to your itinerary

Start planning your road trip with Southampton as a destination. Create a custom route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Start Road Trip

What's Nearby?

Discover destinations like Tinder

Swipe through stunning destinations near Southampton. Save your favourites and add them to your trip.

Explore now

Quick Information

Population
269,781
Continent
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
Region
England
Timezone
Europe/London
Coordinates
50.9040, -1.4043

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United Kingdom

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
999
Non-emergency police
101
Driving side
left

112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.

Full driving guide for United Kingdom

Tags

EuropeUnited KingdomEnglandCity

Worth the detour from Southampton

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

museum

National Motor Museum Beaulieu

Set in the grounds of a historic abbey, it houses over 250 vehicles telling the story of motoring from 1893 to the present.

6 km · about 10 min drive

national park

New Forest National Park

Ancient royal hunting ground where wild ponies and deer roam freely through 219 square miles of heathland, woodland and coastal marshes.

14 km · about 25 min drive

cafe

Caffeine & Machine: The Hut

The Hampshire outpost near the South Downs, 45 minutes from Goodwood and close to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.

26 km · about 30 min drive

cafe

Loomies Moto Cafe

A beloved biker cafe on the A32 in Hampshire that draws motorcyclists from across southern England with its welcoming atmosphere and hearty food.

27 km · about 30 min drive

landmark

Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum

A remarkable collection of rare and unique motorcycles in the New Forest assembled by legendary trials rider Sammy Miller.

27 km · about 30 min drive

famous road

Military Road, Isle of Wight

Thrilling clifftop road along the southwest coast of the Isle of Wight with sweeping sea views and access to dramatic landslip scenery.

30 km · about 35 min drive

natural wonder

The Needles, Isle of Wight

Three distinctive chalk sea stacks rising from the sea off the western tip of the Isle of Wight, topped by a red-and-white striped lighthouse.

30 km · about 35 min drive

cathedral

Salisbury Cathedral

Masterpiece of Early English Gothic architecture boasting Britain's tallest spire at 123 metres and housing the finest surviving Magna Carta.

33 km · about 40 min drive

Driving roads near Southampton

  • 30 kmMilitary Road, Isle of WightThrilling clifftop road along the southwest coast of the Isle of Wight with sweeping sea views and access to dramatic landslip scenery.
  • 47 kmGoodwood Festival of SpeedThe hillclimb course on the Goodwood estate driveway where Formula One cars, prewar Grand Prix machinery and rally legends run flat out past a country house each summer. The 1.16-mile course is estate road year-round.

Driving in United Kingdom

Drives on
the left
Petrol
~€1.73/litre
Motorway tolls
None

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Southampton.

Woolston

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

2 km awayPop. 13,852

Portswood

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

3 km awayPop. 14,831

Marchwood

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

4 km awayPop. 6,141

Netley

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

5 km awayPop. 6,338

Hythe

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

5 km awayPop. 20,526

West End

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

6 km awayPop. 4,227

Totton

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

6 km awayPop. 34,169

Bursledon

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

6 km awayPop. 6,894

Plan a trip around Southampton

United Kingdom road trip planner

Plan a Road Trip from Southampton

Create your perfect itinerary with our calendar-based planner. Add stops, discover attractions along the way, and share your trip with friends.

Start Planning
PYRT

The ultimate road trip planning platform. Discover 150,000+ destinations worldwide, plan scenic routes, and create unforgettable adventures.

Inspiration

  • Discover Trips
  • Travel Guides
  • Community

The Product

  • Calendar Planner
  • Integrations
  • How It Works
  • Collaboration Mode
  • Get the App
  • Merchandise: PYRT Supply Co.
  • Become a Creator
  • Trip Marketplace

Plan Your Trip

  • Road Trip Planner
  • Famous Routes
  • Planners by Country
  • Best Road Trip Planner App
  • Discover Road Trips
  • Events
  • Travel Guides
  • How It Works
  • My Trips
  • Community Groups

Company

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Support
  • Contact Us
  • Sign In
  • Create Account

© 2026 Plan Your Road Trips. All rights reserved.

•[email protected]
Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence