Southampton with 5/7yos

[fuzzpig]

Managed to bag a cheap weeknight in Southampton Travelodge next month. We've been wanting to go to the museum there as DD is obsessed with all things Titanic :)

I was wondering if there's anything else worth seeing, we won't have long there, just the Thursday afternoon as we will be at the museum on Friday.

I've not been before so any recommendations of parks/places to eat/shops/taxi or bus related things would be very helpful! We are going via Southampton Central station.

Thanks in advance

[MoonlightandMusic]

I'm guessing if you're arriving at Central, you're staying at the West Quay TL? I don't live there, but DH's parents do. Most things in Soton are quite close to each other.

For things to do - Ocean Village is nice for a wander and has some nice places to eat. Also, last time we went small child had a great time at [http://www.southampton.gov.uk/people-places/parks-open-spaces/hawthorns/ the Hawthorn's on the Common]], but you do need to phone ahead as they're not always open. The Common itself is a nice space, and The Cowherds does respectable pub-grub.

Check out the Nuffield Theatre or Mayflower either - they may have a matinee or early evening show.

[MoonlightandMusic]

Oops, sorry, now with working link.

[fuzzpig]

Thanks moonlight :) it's actually a different one as the west quay was full, it's this one

m.travelodge.co.uk/mt/www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/66/Southampton-hotel

Thanks for the links! Great ideas will check them out

[Kerberos]

I wouldn't bet on spending much time at the Titanic museum. I don't think we spent more than 30 minutes in there.

[Kerberos]

Although having thought it through I think my information may be out of date.

[fuzzpig]

That's cool, we will be going straight after breakfast on the Friday anyway so we can play it by ear and wander somewhere else if there's time. :)

[MoonlightandMusic]

In which case you're even closer to the Common - basically turn right on the main road with the hotel behind you and it's about a five minute walk. There's also some nice cafes on the way into town if you go via Banister & Carlton Road rather than The Avenue to get there. West Quay is about a fifteen minute walk from the hotel, but there will be buses too.

map for the Common from hotel

For Thurs eve, if you don't fancy heading into town, or The Cowherds, either the Kohinoor or the Trago Inn on Portswood High St, are good.

[Sausages123]

If you are going to the museum then just up the road heading towards the shopping centre is Sprinkles

sprinklesgelato.co.uk/index.htm

[PegLegAntoine]

Thanks sorry I totally forgot to come back to the thread

I think we might have to make a trip to sprinkles! :o

I'm just finally getting round to booking train tickets - would you say it's worth getting Plusbus? If buses are decent it'd be cheaper than taxis.

[PegLegAntoine]

(£7.60 total for the two days)

[TwoLittleTerrors]

There is also a sprinkles in portswood.

Mine are much younger so don't have any good suggestions. Other than there is a playground in the commons near the cowherds.

[PegLegAntoine]

Thanks, they always love a playground (and so do I now that they're old enough to run amok while I sit serenely on a bench! :o) so we will try that.

I'm trying to find somewhere to have breakfast on the Friday, but can't find anything central other than Wetherspoons, any cheap suggestions please? :)

[Redorwhitejusthaveboth]

Hallidays tea rooms on Bedford place do breakfast... Opposite the hotel is a place called dock o'the bay - Google them to check if they do breakfast... Or of course there is ikea...

[PegLegAntoine]

Ooh yes thank you someone else mentioned there's an IKEA there, that'd be cheap which is a bonus! :o Is it easy to get to?

[PegLegAntoine]

NC fail

[TwoLittleTerrors]

It is in the city centre. Very near the train and national express station.

[PegLegAntoine]

Ooh, fabulous thanks. I thought it might be in a distant retail park or something like my nearest one but that's great. :)

[HopesDaddy]

The only problem is the traffic is abysmal in that part of town especially since the Ikea was built.. That and West Quay make it tough and it will be worse if there is a game on or a cruise ship in.

You could consider getting out to the forest only twenty minutes away you have Paulton's Park, Longdown Activity Farm. Lepe beach is lovely too with a cafe and loads of space for kids to run around in and a great view of the boats going in and out.

[PegLegAntoine]

That sounds good, can't afford paultons but the beach or farm could work. Do you mean 20mins in a car?

[TwoLittleTerrors]

Yes it's 20min by car. i thought you are coming in by train? Traffic wouldn't be a problem in that case.

[PegLegAntoine]

Yes we are going by train as I don't drive :) it's a direct route to Southampton Central, and then I got the Plusbus thing for both days so can use pretty much any bus in the town.

[HopesDaddy]

this is true... a bus might be easier.. and you could train to the forest easily. The other thought i had is the Hythe ferry and train which my dd loves.

[FriedSprout]

How about the Tudor House?

here