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With first class shopping, lively nightlife, a fabulous choice of restaurants, culture, history and open spaces, Southampton has firmly established itself as a city that’s as exciting or as relaxed as you want to make it.
Widely considered to be one of the UK’s top retail destinations, shopping is a serious business in Southampton. The gleaming WestQuay shopping centre hosts more than 100 stores with John Lewis and Marks & Spencer joined by stylish boutiques and a raft of luxury lifestyle brands. Alternatively, the Marlands Centre, eclectic independents along Bedford Place and West Quay Retail Park all ensure the widest shopping choice.
Due for completion imminently and confirming Southampton’s status as a progressive city, WestQuay Watermark is a dramatic new £80m addition to Southampton’s skyline and is destined to become the city’s premier leisure led destination with new bars, restaurants (including Jamie’s Italian, Bills and Cau) and a 10 screen cinema. A new public plaza in front of the historic city walls will host events such as concerts and plays.
The cultural scene in Southampton is alive and well with the Mayflower Theatre attracting major West End productions, while the inspiring new Cultural Quarter is a vibrant hive of activity, bringing music, drama, photography and art to a wide range of venues, including the revitalised Guildhall Square and the new Sea City Museum.
The city’s universities are equally impressive. Regularly ranked in the top 100 in the world, the University of Southampton has seen many famous students pass through its doors including Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web. Southampton Solent University’s strengths lie in communication, culture, media studies, engineering, sport and exercise sciences.
The tireless energy of the city is set against the calming backdrop of the waterfront and award-winning parks, both providing the perfect opportunity to wind down and relax with friends and family and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
There’s a dazzling array of pubs, bars and restaurants to suit all palates in Southampton. Whether you’re after a quiet drink in a pub that’s retained its historic charm, or fine dining in a modern brasserie, the choice will take your breath away. Renowned as the city’s culinary mecca, Oxford Street is the first-choice destination for a diverse selection of cafes, gastro-pubs and restaurants offering menus from all corners of the globe.
There are more tempting restaurants, bars and attractions at the chic Ocean Village Marina, including the Harbour Lights Picture House and Cineworld. The marina is also home to Southampton Yacht Club. Unsurprisingly, with Southampton Water and the Solent so easily accessible watersports play a big part in the appeal of Southampton; but even if you don’t sail the spectacular annual world-class Southampton Boat Show is worth a visit to admire the myriad of craft exhibited.
Off the water, nothing unites Sotonians more than getting behind the Saints. Southampton’s home ground, St Mary’s Football Stadium, is just a short walk from Meridian Waterside, while cricket fans flock to the Ageas Bowl, home of Hampshire County Cricket Club.
Few cities are as well connected as Southampton. From Meridian Waterside, the nearby A3024 will take you towards the city centre, Junction 5 of the M27 is less than 3 miles away and the M3 will take you the 80 miles to London. And of course, Portsmouth, Winchester, Salisbury and Bournemouth are all within easy reach.
Similarly, Southampton Central Station provides connections to all over the UK. There are regular services to London Waterloo (in around 80 minutes) and to London Victoria (around 90 minutes), while frequent trains ensure that most towns on the south coast are commutable. The nearest station to Meridian Waterside is St Denys, which links to Southampton Central in as little as 5 minutes.
For travel further afield Southampton Airport offers flights to around 50 destinations within Europe. Ferry travel is also convenient, with the Isle of Wight as little as 25 minutes away. In addition, exotic destinations such as the Mediterranean or the Caribbean are surprisingly accessible - all you need is a ticket for one of the world’s most luxurious passenger liners that calls Southampton its home port.
Source: www.nationalrail.co.uk
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Source: www.southamptonairport.com
Source: www.redfunnel.co.uk
