20 things to do in Southampton with kids

Getting to Southampton

Southampton is a really well-connected city. Here’s the different options for travelling there:

Train: there are direct trains from London, Bournemouth, Birmingham, Manchester and other large UK cities, so you can leave the car at home. Trainline is my go-to website and app for finding tickets in advance.

Car: if you are driving you can find Southampton off the M27. There are several junctions depending on where you area travelling from. Find city centre car parks on the council’s website or you can book privately owned parking spots using JustPark.

Coach: FLiXBUS offer a coach service from London Victoria to Southampton. National Express can droip you in from London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Bournemouth.

Air: Southampton has its own international airport on the outskirts of the city. This directly links it with destinations including Belfast and Glasgow in the UK and Spain, Portugal and France in Europe.

2. Tudor House and Gardens

This is Southampton’s most important historic building with more than 800 years of history on site. Its story is told through the lives of its different owners, from wealthy merchants to the overseers of the port.

There is a family room with child-friendly activities, interactive displays and a children’s audio guide to help bring the place alive. Tudor House and Gardens are open Tuesday to Sunday.

Look out for weekend art activities and school holiday events. Last time I took my girls they came out with full painted faces.

Find out more about visiting on the Tudor House Museum website.

3. Southampton Football Club Stadium Tours

Got a Saints fan in your house? A tour of St Mary’s Stadium will be right up their street.

Three tours are available including one where you can meet a Saints legend.

Of course, you can also get tickets for a match!

Find out more about St Mary’s tours.

4. Alpine Sports Centre

If your family loves active days out then the Alpine Sports Centre in Southampton has plenty to choose from.

Perfect your skiing skills, have a go at snow boarding or career down the dry ski slope in a donut – my kid’s favourite thing to do here. Off piste, there’s kayaking, a climbing wall and swimming.

Find out more about things to do at Southampton’s Alpine Sports Centre.

5. Visit Solent Sky Museum

Southampton was the home to the first flying boats and where the Spitfire was built. This rich aviation history is captured by Solent Sky Museum.

It’s a must-visit attraction for anyone fascinated by aircraft and aviation.

Find out more about visiting Solent Sky Museum.

6. Itchen Valley Country Park

If you’re after some fresh air then Itchen Valley Country Park is one of the top things to do in Southampton with kids. It has 440 acres of water meadows and woodlands to explore, as well as an adventure playground and plenty of space for picnics.

The park rangers put on regular craft and activity days aimed at families, as well as a totem trail for inquisitive kids.

Find out more about visiting Itchen Valley Country Park.

7. Go Ape at Itchen Valley Country Park

Itchen Valley Country Park is also home to the Go Ape! Tree Top Adventure, which has a 193 zip wire – such great fun!

Itchen Valley County Park is open daily. Entrance to the Park is free but parking charges apply. Go Ape! is open from February to November.

Read about our Go Ape! Adventure at Itchen Valley Country Park.

8. Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World

If you are wondering if there’s a theme park near Southampton, then look no further than Paultons Park. It has more than 70 thrill rides for teens, toddlers and babies.

There’s five themed worlds to explore as well as a collection of exotic birds and animals.

Younger family members will not forgive you if you don’t venture into Peppa Pig World. This zone has rides for all ages featuring characters and stories that toddlers will know well from the TV series.

Read about our visit to Paultons Park just before we moved to Devon.

Find out more about days out at Paultons Park.

Free things to do with kids in Southampton

Days out in the city need not be expensive. Here’s some of the things to do in Southampton for free:

9. Southampton City Art Gallery

This world renowned gallery has a permanent collection of more than 5,000 works from across eight centuries. There are monthly art clubs and regular activities for families.

I spent many a lunch time browsing the collections while working just around the corner.

The City Art Gallery is open Monday to Saturday and is one of the free things to do in Southampton.

Find out more about visiting Southampton City Art Gallery.

10. Explore the City Walls and Bargate

Southampton’s old town walls are the third longest stretch of unbroken Medieval wall in England and date back to 1180.

You can take self-guided and guided walks from the 800-year-old Bargate, which used to be the entrance to the old town and now imposes over the city centre shops.

11. Play at Mayflower Park

Southampton is full of parks but Mayflower Park is worth a special mention because of its location overlooking the port.

It takes its name from the pilgrim ship, the Mayflower, that called into Southampton before making its voyage to America in 1620.

Today Mayflower Park is the best place to see some of the world’s largest cruise liners while they are berthed at Mayflower terminal. They literally look like blocks of flats parked up alongside the harbour wall.

There’s also a lovely playground and cafe for picking up that all important coffee while you supervise the kids on the play equipment. Mayflower Park also hosts events and concerts during the year.

Find out more about Mayflower Park.

12. Southampton Common

If you are looking for outdoor things to do in Southampton with kids then take a walk at the Common. With 326 acres this is the largest of Southampton’s open spaces and a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre tells visitors all about the local plants and wildlife. There’s also a large nature playground and water park.

A kiosk sells refreshments on the weekends and in the school holidays.

Find out more about Southampton Common.

13. Royal Victoria Country Park

On the outskirts of Southampton is Royal Victoria Country Park at Netley. It’s on the waterfront so is another great place to see the comings and goings of Southampton Port and the Solent from the shingle beach.

There’s loads of space to kick about a ball and have a picnic. The country park also has a model railway, an accessible adventure playground and cafe. These are my kids’ favourite things about visiting here.

It’s also hugely historic. Royal Victoria Hospital once stood on the site. It was the first military hospital of its kind and played a vital role in looking after injured troops in the First and Second World Wars.

In the 1960s it was devastated by fire. The only part that remains is Netley Chapel, which would have stood at its centre. You can take a tour up the tower and find out about the hospital’s history in an exhibition in the chapel.

Entrance to the country park is free but parking is chargeable.

Find out more about Royal Victoria Country Park.

Family days out in Southampton when it rains

Here’ some where to go in Southampton when it’s wet:

14. See a show at Mayflower Theatre

Musicals and live acts have been performing in this theatre’s 2,300 seat auditorium since 1928.

I saw many a pantomime here as a child. It’s also the place to see all of the touring West End shows, as well as comedy, ballet and spin offs from popular television shows like Strictly Come Dancing.

Find out what’s on at the Mayflower Theatre.

15. Flip Out Southampton

Looking for things to do near Southampton on a wet day? Let the kids burn off energy at Flip Out Southampton, which is just outside the city at Eastleigh.

The wall-to-wall trampolines, with added foam pits and free running zone, make for an exciting few hours for the whole family. 

For little ones there’s soft play and dedicated trampoline sessions with a ball pit, foam pit and baby bouncers.

Find out more about visiting Flip Out Southampton.

16. Catch a film

Here’s where to find our what’s on at Southampton’s cinema:

• Showcase, Level 4, West Quay
• Picturehouse, Ocean Village

17. Go bowling

Here’s where to find bowling in Southampton:

• Holywood Bowl, West Quay
• Tenpin Bowling, Auckland Road

18. Soft play in Southampton

If you’re looking for things to do in Southampton with toddlers then you might be in need of this list:

• Sea Life Play, Marlands Shopping Centre
• Jungle Jeans, West Quay Road
• Monkey Bizness, St Denys
• Play Shack, Hedge End

19. Shop at West Quay

If you are looking for things to do in Southampton with teens then they will absolutely love you for letting them loose in West Quay.

This shopping centre is five times the size of a football stadium and is the place to shop if you’re after the big high street stores.

John Lewis, Marks and Spencer, Next – they are all here as well as designer brands.

When I worked in Southampton I spent far too many lunchtimes here.

Plan your shopping spree at West Quay.

Things to do near Southampton

There’s even more fun to be had around Southampton. Take a look at these other family attractions in Hampshire:

20. Marwell Zoo

If you are looking for things to do near Southampton that involve animals, then take a trip to Marwell Zoo. It looks after hundreds of exotic and endangered animals.

When you arrive, I’d recommend hopping on the land train close to the zoo entrance for ride around the park to get your bearings before setting off on foot. 

When we last visited Marwell the tropical house had just opened. It is home to butterflies, birds and reptiles. We also love seeing the penguins, giraffes and tigers.

If you want to get up close with the capybaras, flamingos, pygmy hippos and white rhinos take the rail train (extra charge).

As well as the animals there are five adventure playgrounds dotted around this 140 acre wildlife park.

You can also stay at Marwell’s hotel, which puts you just a minute’s walk from the zoo entrance. It has family rooms with bunk beds.

Find out more about visiting Marwell Zoo.

21. Longdown Activity Farm

Longdown Activity Farm, which is on the edge of the New Forest at Ashdown, has a full schedule of activities.

From hand-feeding calves and goats, to meeting baby animals and tractor rides – there’s a range of farmyard experiences. 

You can also collect eggs freshly laid by the farm hens, feed the pigs, and say hello to the guinea pigs, rabbits, horses and ducks.

Young kids will also love the indoor and outdoor play areas, small rides and school holiday events.

Find out more about Longdown Activity Farm.

22. Calshot Castle

This Tudor fort sits on a spit at the mouth of Southampton Water and was one of the defences put in place by King Henry VIII to guard this important trading city.

Its ramparts have panoramic views of the South Coast, the Solent and Isle of Wight, which looks just a stones throw away at this point.

Inside the Castle you can learn about its defensive role from Tudor times right through to the 20th Century. Climb the steep stairwells within the Keep to discover the soldiers’ living quarters and ascend to the roof where you’ll find the mount for two huge guns.

Find out more about Calshot Castle.

23. Manor Farm

If your kids love visiting farms then a day at Manor Farm is a must. It’s a Victorian farm that has been preserved to give visitors a taste of what it was like to work the land hundreds of years ago.

Some of the buildings have been relocated from other parts of Hampshire, as have vintage tractors and farming machinery.

Highlights include seeing cows being milked in the parlour, meeting some of the farm’s cuddly creatures and exploring the 15th Century farmhouse where there’s a Victorian classroom.

Surrounding the farm you’ll find the River Hamble Country Park where you can picnic and play games in the meadows or spot wildlife along the river bank walk.

Read about our visit to Manor Farm with the kids.

24. Visit the Isle of Wight

It’s possible to catch a car or passenger ferry from Town Quay to Cowes on the Isle of Wight. From here you can explore The Needles and Alum Bay, Queen Victoria’s Osborne House and Carisbrooke Castle.

Find out what we managed to fit into a day trip to the Isle of Wight from Southampton.

Where to stay in Southampton

Planning a city break in Southampton? There are plenty of hotels around the city. Here’s the ones that offer family rooms:

• Room2 in the city centre has rooms with beds for families of four to five with kitchenettes so you can save costs on breakfast and simple meals.
• The Holiday Inn West by the port is a great option if you are spending a fe days in Southampton before a cruise and has double rooms with sofa bed. There’s also a free hot breakfast included
• Novotel Southampton is right next to the train station and has double rooms with sofa beds.