Visiting Southampton

Southampton is steeped in maritime heritage and today is known as the cruise capital of Europe. The city has a vibrant atmosphere with an impressive cultural and retail offering - featuring in the UK's top ten shopping destinations.

Outstanding art galleries in the city include some of the finest collections outside of London and there are many local artists and creatives too, showcasing and selling their work. For evening entertainment the Mayflower theatre regularly shows West End musicals and ballets, Turner Sims offers world class jazz concerts and spoken word and Nuffield Southampton Theatres is a leading producing theatre company.

Southampton’s heritage reaches far beyond the Mayflower. The Bargate in the centre of the High Street was built as the main entrance to the medieval walled town circa 1180 AD.

Much of the medieval city walls also still survive, together with the vaults where the merchants stored their wine. The novelist Jane Austen lived in the city from 1806-1809. Years before the Pilgrims left Southampton through the Westgate Henry V marched his troops through to sail for France and the battle of Agincourt.  The Titanic set sail from White Start dock in 1912. Walking Tours are available exploring each of these stories and The SeaCity museum tells the story of the tragic Titanic journey and maritime history of this great port city.

The New Forest National Park, historic Winchester and naval Portsmouth are also all easily accessible from Southampton. London is also only just over an hour by train.

Southampton's Mayflower programme 

Southampton’s Mayflower 400 project is led by Southampton City Council and is delivered with cultural, corporate and community partners all across the city. The year will focus on the themes of journeys, migration, maritime heritage and innovation.

It seeks to celebrate the city and those who live and work here, it will explore the stories of all the people of the world, including the Mayflower passengers, who have come to, or through, Southampton in search of a new life.

Matching grassroots activity with major cultural projects, the city’s creativity and extraordinary maritime heritage will be showcased through projects such as:

  • A special anniversary weekend of family activities all over Southampton, 14 to 16 August, including the reveal of the newly-restored Mayflower Monument; Parade of Sail; Mayflower themed musical and dance productions at the Mayflower Theatre; historical events at God’s House Tower; and activities at SeaCity Museum as part of Wampum Stories from the Shells of Native America.
  • Inspired by one of the most influential poems in the English language, The Rime of The Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834), Mariner: A Painted Ship Upon a Painted Ocean looks at what connects us across history and the present, from the desire to travel – to journey out and back again – to the role of intuition and imagination, the making of mistakes and the process of recovery and redemption through knowledge and understanding. Mariner showcases a series of new commissions and artworks at the John Hansard Gallery that consider the contemporary resonance of the poem. Also, at the John Hansard Gallery, new works by Larry Achiampong and a City of Sanctuary Community Takeover.
  • A Light Art Festival at West Quay in February will start off the anniversary’s arts programme, followed by a series of dance, street art, visual arts, music and carnival art commissions running through to November. Including a new forest planted within the city centre and an Urban Arts Festival. Culminating at the end of the year with a new exhibition in the City Art Gallery, Shadows and Light.
  • Commemorating Mayflower exhibition at SeaCity Museum focuses on both the nature of commemoration and how previous Mayflower anniversaries have been marked. This is supported by an exhibition at Tudor House & Garden telling the Mayflower story.
  • A Giving Thanks festival running through the summer and autumn, encouraging communities to share their food and stories together.

Southampton and the Mayflower story

The Mayflower arrived in Southampton in late July 1620 and several days later was joined by the Speedwell, carrying the Pilgrims from Leiden. Their intention was to prepare both vessels and sail in company directly to America.

Southampton was a thriving seaport offering all the commercial facilities to provision and equip for the long sea voyage. Many of the buildings and streets familiar to the Pilgrims then still exist.

The town had established trading links with Virginia and Newfoundland, so there was an experienced pool of seamen who had previously made the dangerous Atlantic crossing. John Alden, a cooper, joined the Mayflower and it is thought William Brewster also slipped aboard here, having been in hiding after publishing material that angered King James.

Stephen Hopkins from Hampshire also joined here and is known as the only Mayflower passenger with prior New World experience, having been shipwrecked in Bermuda in 1609.

There were already concerns about the Speedwell, which required repairs after developing a leak. But on 15 August the two ships weighed anchor and set sail.

Southampton was an ideal place to start the voyage for many reasons. The water is one of the world’s largest natural harbours and offers a safe anchorage, plus its unique double tide provides easy access for 16 hours out of every 24.

Southampton was a true Sea Town (now Sea City since 1964) with all requirements for the preparation of a maritime adventure. Extensive quays and wharfs provided easy access to the commercial facilities in what was and still is a very successful trading port.

Although there was much local trade from the surrounding counties; Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Sussex as well as France and the Channel Isles, there were also trading links with Virginia and Newfoundland. This meant that there was an experienced pool of seamen who had previously made the difficult and dangerous Atlantic crossing.

John Alden, a cooper, joined Mayflower here and a George Alden who could well have been his father lived in the high street. The town records show that the Council were ordered to press 100 seamen and mariners for the Royal Navy in July perhaps a good enough reason to sign on to the Mayflower’s crew.

The Speedwell was found to be leaking and it was thought at the time that she may have had too large a mast and sail area. The extensive ship building and repair facilities near West Quay were very useful in expediting repairs.

According to Southampton’s Book of Instruments records, a ship called Speedwell was built locally in 1606 and this may have been the vessel that returned to her home port.

However, the most important benefit to the expedition was the availability of all the supplies required, not only for the voyage but to establish a permanent community in the New World. It is thought that the Pilgrims and settlers shopped during the day and slept back on board both ships. These were supposedly anchored just off West Quay.

In 1620, there were 153 Merchants in the Town of whom 118 were engaged partially or wholly in the wool trade but the balance would have been able to provide all the other items required for self-sufficiency.

When the Mayflower and Speedwell left together on that fateful Saturday 15 August after a fraught and hectic stay they could not have imagined that their persistence would lead to the founding of New England.

Southampton has extensive records pertaining to the Pilgrims which can be found in the city archives.  

Supported by our national sponsors and funding partners

And our Southampton founder partners

Southampton Mayflower Highlights

  • Events
  • Attractions
  • Accommodation

Grand Harbour Hotel

Grand Harbour Hotel

Hotel

The 173 room Grand Harbour Hotel is located close to the shopping centre and cruise terminals.

Dolphin Hotel

Dolphin Hotel

Hotel

The 99 room Mercure Southampton Centre Dolphin Hotel is the oldest hotel in Southampton dating back over 500 years.

Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa

Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa

Hotel

The magic of water and its therapeutic benefits with the world class luxury spa facilities.

The Montagu Arms Hotel

The Montagu Arms Hotel

Hotel

The Montagu Arms Hotel dates back to 1742. It has a cosy, homely character and picturesque gardens.

The Holiday Inn

The Holiday Inn

Hotel

A modern Southampton hotel near the city's cruise terminals with an indoor pool and gym.

Southampton Harbour Hotel

Southampton Harbour Hotel

Hotel

Featuring stunning contemporary design with a restaurant and rooftop bar.

The Clock Tower

The Grange Estate

Hotel

The Grange Estate's holiday accommodations in Hampshire provide a perfect base from which to visit the Estate and the surrounding area.

room2

Hotel

The world's first hometel brand, is a unique offering combining the comforts of home with the service of hotels

Jurys Inn

Jurys Inn

Hotel

Located right at the heart of the city overlooking East Park and just a 15 minute walk from the Central Station

Holiday Inn Express

Holiday Inn Express

Hotel

Holiday Inn Express Southampton is a contemporary hotel with free Wi-Fi, Parking and breakfast included next to the Ageas Bowl

DoubleTree by Hilton

DoubleTree by Hilton

Hotel

Located just outside the city centre, minutes from the M3 and M27 motorways, DoubleTree by Hilton Southampton offers easy access to plenty of activities

New Place Hotel

New Place Hotel

Hotel

New Place has something for everyone with a grand manor house, smart business centre and an array of bedrooms, all surrounded by expansive gardens

Highfield House Hotel

Highfield House Hotel

Hotel

Highfield House Hotel extends not just a fantastic hospitality towards you, but also a great accommodating environment

Hilton at the Ageas Bowl

Hilton at the Ageas Bowl

Hotel

The Ageas Bowl in Southampton offers the famous cricket ground, Hilton hotel, eforea spa and an 18 hole golf course

Holiday Inn Winchester

Holiday Inn Winchester

Holiday Inn is the perfect destination for leisure, business and families in Winchester

Novotel Southampton

Novotel Southampton

Hotel

Conveniently located in the heart of Southampton city centre, the 4-star Novotel Southampton hotel is the perfect base for guests looking to explore.

Best Western Chilworth Manor

Best Western Chilworth Manor

Hotel

Edwardian Manor House Hotel with state-of-the-art health club and spa

Elizabeth House Hotel

Elizabeth House Hotel

Hotel

The restored Elizabeth House Hotel made up of three Victorian buildings and is quintessentially British

Claremont Guest House

Claremont Guest House

Guest House

Established in 2001, Claremont Guest House provides comfortable, warm and friendly accommodation right in the heart of Southampton

Mayview B&B

Mayview B&B

Bed & Breakfast

The Mayview B&B is an intimate contemporary bed and breakfast located in a peaceful area in the heart of Southampton

ibis Southampton Centre

News

Institute for Government Director set to headline Speaker Series event

News

Mayflower 400 programme launched in Southampton
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