Child free break near Southampton- any suggestions on what to do?

[Zippyzulu]

Mil has kindly offered to look after our three dc and dh and I are going away for two nights to a hotel near Southampton. First time since nearly four year old was born and unlikely to happen again any time soon so we want to make the most of it!
Does anyone have any suggestions for things to do nearby? We have a spa in the hotel, which will probably take up half a day but would like to do a bit of exploring during the day and nice meals in the evenings. We love live music and dh likes any pub that sells real ale. I'm quite easily pleased
Any tips much appreciated

[Princesspinkgirl]

Ive lived in Southampton and im afraid there isent much to do the town is pretty bleak and not many great places to eat there isent a great deal of sightseeing to do around there

[Kiwi32]

On a more positive note, you're very near the new forest and the coast! I've visited round here loads...For a really nice meal if you don't mind driving (not quite sure which direction you are out of Southampton!) check out the Balmer Lawn Hotel. Lymington is a lovely coastal village with a few shops and some nice places to eat. Ashurst also a lovely place for a mooch about.

Live music look at The Brook in Portswood and there's a place up the road in highfield called Brewhouse and Kitchen that has a huge selection of beers. Hope that gets you started! Have a lovely time.

[LadyPeterWimsey]

It's true that Southampton itself is not very pretty (it was bombed quite badly in war and suffers IMHO from a bad case of planners blight) so it's not a massive stop on the tourist trail - unless you are interested in the Titanic, in which case go to the SeaCity Museum. If you like shopping, there is lots of it at WestQuay and there are lots of cinemas, including a brand new one which has just opened at WestQuay itself.

The New Forest is very accesible from Southampton and there is lots to see and do there. I have h are good things foodwise about The Pig in Brockenhurst. Winchester IS pretty, even if I lose the will to love every time I drive there at rush hour because of the traffic, and has the Cathedral and other historical things to look at.

Have a lovely time!

[WhatABaklava]

Winchester is a million times nicer than Southampton! And only 10 mins away by train.

[myrtleberry]

Day trip to the Isle of Wight from Southampton or Lymington. Also Salisbury, Chichester or Portsmouth for the Mary Rose, HMS Victory and Spinnaker Tower.