Get in your car get on the M27 and head for Portsmouth (30 min drive), we have alot more to offer for a days site seeing.

tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g186298-Activiti…

I suggest going off into the New Forest and exploring around there. There are small villages, you could hire a bike, or you could get to Lymington and explore this small town. If you want you could have a day trip to the isle of wight with red funnel ferries and explore there as well.

There are a few things to ecplore listed here:

visit-southampton.co.uk/site/…museums

I've been to the medieval merchants house, which was interesting and the maritime museum was really good. The city art gallery was fairly interesting as well, and if you get the chance you could walk along the old walls.

in southampton itself id say wlk the city walls

with the car you want to get about a bit

portsmouth is one possibility - great naval history if you are into that

personally id get up early and head for the new forest - look out for the wild ponies

follow signs for beaulieu (go into the car museum if that is where your interests lie) but its a lovely drive in its own right

carry on as far as bucklers hard

leave the new forest by a different route and head for winchester - see the museum and the round table of king arthur fame amongst others

I like the Southampton City Art Gallery, which is free and the cafe is a nice pitstop in the centre of Southampton.

southampton.gov.uk/leisure/…default.asp

I second the vote for Beaulieu/New Forest/Buckler's Hard. We spent a delightful day in the area. Beaulieu itself is a multi-faceted destination: besides the motor museum, there is a James Bond exhibit, a ruined abbey with a great exhibit on the medieval Cistercians, the gardens, an exhibit on WW2 undercover spies who were trained at Beaulieu, and the house itself. There's a nice two-mile walk through the forest to Buckler's Hard, where some of Lord Nelson's ships were built.

Hiya

Have a drink at Ocean Village - there are 2 nice pubs that look out on to some expensive looking boats. Ocean village is a short taxi ride from the train station.

There is a good shopping mall - West Quay.

There is also a Royal Victoria Country Park - which is steeped in history and has some fab views and a little museum for you to have a tour round.

http://www3.hants.gov.uk/rvcp

HTH

Alison x

Another vote for the New Forest! Spent a week there last year and absolutely loved it. I'm always surprised that it doesnt' get more of a mention on the forums. As someone said, watch out for the ponies (and donkeys, cows and pigs!). I thought it was magic, and I really hope it never has to change. I'm sure those ponies wouldn't last five minutes in Australia!

"I'm sure those ponies wouldn't last five minutes in Australia"-dare I ask why or just let my imagination run riot???!!!

What ARE you imagining littlewillie, I wonder?? lol

Just meant that here drivers are far too impatient to sit and wait while any of the wildlife amble down the middle of the road, or to obey the speed limit through the forest, although while we were there I spotted quite a few of what I assume were locals who weren't taking too much notice of it either! The council here where I live would be inundated with complaints, and they'd all be shipped off to the nearest pet food factory! It was a real pleasure to see them, and to realise that it has been that way since Willian the Conqueror........as I said, I hope it never has to change! Will be back to see them next year, hopefully!

Hi Everyone, thanks for all your suggestions. Firstly we had lunch at a place called Quayside near the docks, very nice pub. We also visited the Maritime Museum which details the maritime history of Southampton and also a fantastic display on the Titanic. Next we drove out to the New Forest, WOW, picture postcard perfect. Absolutely beautiful! Ponies and cows on the side of the ride, then onto Bucklers Hard where Nelson's boat that was used in the battle of Trafalgar was built. Very interesting museum and the old cottages, chapel, pub and cafe. Then onto Beaulieu to the see their fantastic motor musuem, took the monorail around the grounds and then onto the old Abbey which was built in the 1200's, mainly ruins left but still very interesting. All in all a very interesting and enjoyable day.