Southampton, located on England’s South Coast, is often overlooked. Despite being heavily bombed during the war and not being the most picturesque city, it serves as one of Europe’s major cruise ports, welcoming millions of visitors each year.

If you take the time to explore, you’ll find plenty to do in Southampton. The city boasts museums, cultural attractions, and an intriguing old town with medieval walls and houses. The port also serves as a gateway to the beautiful Hampshire countryside and the New Forest, with many nearby attractions easily accessible for day trips.

For those visiting Southampton by cruise, here are some recommended activities in and around the city:

Just a short distance from the port, you can walk along the medieval city walls of Southampton. These walls, built to protect the town from sea attacks, encircle the old town. You can still see the arcades that once served as entrances to warehouses where wine barrels were stored. Walking along the top of the walls, you would have overlooked the beach, a popular spot for sea bathing in the 18th century. On weekends, guided tours of the wall start at Bargate, or you can pick up a self-guided walk leaflet from The Tudor House.

In Southampton’s Old Quarter, a short walk from the cruise port, you’ll find the recently restored Tudor House. An audio guide takes you through the rooms, revealing the history of Southampton over the centuries. Dating back to the 15th century, the house features a pretty Tudor knot garden and views over the city walls. There’s also a kitchen set up with food that the Tudors would have enjoyed and a glass-sided café overlooking the garden. Nearby, the Merchant’s House offers another glimpse into Southampton’s history, furnished and preserved as it would have been in the Middle Ages.

For shopping enthusiasts, the West Quay shopping mall in the center of Southampton houses international brands, including major stores like John Lewis and Marks and Spencer. You’ll find a wide range of fashion, lifestyle, and technology stores, as well as plenty of cafes and restaurants. For designer names at bargain prices, visit the Gunwharf Quays outlet shopping center near Portsmouth Harbour, accessible by train from Southampton.

The SeaCity Museum explores Southampton’s maritime history, including its connection to the Titanic, which set sail from the city in 1912 with most of its crew hailing from Southampton. The museum features interactive exhibits, such as the Disaster Room, where the 1930s inquiry into the Titanic’s loss is replayed. Next to the SeaCity Museum is the Southampton City Art Gallery, which showcases contemporary and twentieth-century art, old masters, and impressionists like Monet. The gallery also hosts regularly changing exhibitions.

For a fun-packed day out, visit the Beaulieu motor museum, which houses over 250 vehicles from motoring history. The museum is set beside a lake and includes a 13th-century Cistercian abbey and the stately home of the Montagu family. You can wander through the orchards and gardens or get around on the high-level monorail or the open-top vintage bus. Nearby, Buckler’s Hard, an 18th-century village where ships for Nelson’s navy were built, is also worth a visit.

At Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, you can explore some of Britain’s most historic ships, including Lord Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory and the Tudor warship Mary Rose. The harbor scene is dominated by the 170-meter tall Emirates Spinnaker Tower, offering views over the harbor from the skywalk and café in the clouds. A short walk away is the designer shopping outlet at Gunwharf Quays, and one stop further on the train is the trendy area of Southsea with boutique stores and independent eateries.

For a taste of rural Hampshire life, visit the market town of Romsey, gateway to the Test Valley. Behind the tourist office is the medieval King John’s House, which brings to life 750 years of history in Romsey. Nearby, the imposing medieval Romsey Abbey contains beautiful religious art and treasures. You can also join the long-distance walking path, the Test Way, following the River Test past nature reserves and Broadlands, the home of the late Lord Mountbatten.

Winchester, once King Alfred’s capital, is a quintessentially English place to visit. At its heart is the ancient Winchester Cathedral, where Jane Austen is buried. Stroll along the river to see a working water mill at Winchester City Mill and the ruins of Winchester Palace. Further up the hill is the Great Hall with a replica of King Arthur’s round table and the 18th-century Peninsula Barracks with several military museums.

Stonehenge, one of Europe’s best-known prehistoric monuments, is a masterpiece of Neolithic engineering. Start at the visitor center with exhibitions and Neolithic-style houses, then walk around the stone circle. Your visit can be easily combined with a trip to the cathedral city of Salisbury, home to elegant houses inside the cathedral close, such as Arundells, the home of British Prime Minister Edward Heath.

When your cruise concludes in Southampton, consider a post-shore excursion to London via Salisbury, Stonehenge, and Windsor. Taxis are available at the Southampton cruise port terminal, and train fares for return tickets to nearby attractions range from £5-12, depending on distance and time of day. Bus tickets are generally cheaper but may take longer.

For more information, visit the Discover Southampton and Visit Hampshire websites.