Southampton

Southampton is the premier cruise port in the UK. P & O alone have over 120 cruises departing from Southampton each year and the city has also hosted Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas and other super cruise ships. A visit to Mayflower Park, where you will get a good look at the visiting ships, is therefore a must.

From Mayflower Park you can walk up past the Maritime Museum to the Medieval Merchants House at 58 French Street and the Tudor House at 59 Bugle Street. You will pass the ruins of the old city walls which you can follow up to the Bargate and the main shopping area where West Quay attracts shoppers from all around the region.

Alternatively, you can drive to Ocean Village, the home of the Royal Southampton Yacht Club. Here you can have a pleasant walk around the marina.

Within a short walk from Ocean Village you will find the Solent Sky Aviation Museum. This museum charts the story of flight with particular attention to the first flying boats, which were built in Woolston on the banks of the River Itchen. The Supermarine design of these aeroplanes was used to develop the Spitfire!