Southampton day tours & shore excursions

SIGHTSEEING & TOUR OPTIONS FROM SOUTHAMPTON

Within an hour of Southampton by vehicle is Stonehenge, Salisbury, Winchester and Portsmouth all of which can easily take up a full day sightseeing from Southampton. Southampton is a railway hub and there are frequent trains to Salisbury, Winchester or Portsmouth.

Further afield are Bath, London, Oxford and the scenic Cotswolds region and much much more.

Can you visit London from Southampton?

By train, there are direct trains from Southampton Central Station to London's Waterloo Station in the very heart of London, right next to the London Eye, and opposite the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. We have a detailed page on London by train from Southampton so you can get the best outcome.

For a private tour or shore excursion from Southampton your vehicle will collect you from your ship or Southampton hotel and the day is customised to your specification. You may just want transport or a fully guided tour it is your choice.

If you are flying into or out of London in conjunction with your cruise you are probably best to stay-over in London either after or just before your cruise. We offer flexible London pre cruise hotel and transfer packages, and London post cruise hotel and transfer packages London packages that include transfers to from the airport and your Southampton cruise ship as well as sightseeing. If you are more independently minded we have stopover tours between London and Southampton visiting places like Windsor Castle and Stonehenge on the day you join or disembark your cruise

Visit Stonehenge on your tour from Southampton

Stonehenge is very accessible to Southampton and an easy day trip or shore excursion. You can spend a whole day at Stonehenge if you are really into things ancient and Neolithic but for most visitors a visit is around 2 hours.

There is no public transport serving Stonehenge. Independently from Southampton you would take the train from Southampton to Salisbury. A regular Stonehenge tour bus visits Salisbury railway station at least hourly and shuttles you to Stonehenge is around 25 minutes. Salisbury itself is very worthwhile exploring. We have a detailed page on travelling by train from Southampton so you are informed on getting the best deal.

Travelling with your own vehicle and driver gives you more flexibility to combine Stonehenge into your own itinerary, often with lunch in an atmospheric English country pub. For a private tour or shore excursion from Southampton your vehicle will collect you from your ship or Southampton hotel and the day is customised to your specification. You may just want transport or a fully guided tour it is your choice.

Check our private shore excursions to Stonehenge from Southampton page for full details.

Visit Salisbury add/or Winchester on your tour from Southampton

Salisbury - This cathedral city is only 30 minutes from Southampton. Salisbury is best known for its impressive cathedral and spire, which houses one of the few copies of the Magna Carta. It has a beautiful cathedral close and large market square. A lovely city to browse the shops, you can enjoy a leisurely lunch here or take a river side walk. It makes a perfect shore excursion from Southampton.

Salisbury is the gateway for Stonehenge, so if you are looking for a full day trip you could easily combine a visit here with Stonehenge. Logistics by public transport are on the Stonehenge section above.

Winchester - Former capital of England, historic Winchester is the closest city to Southampton. A medieval city, it has a beautiful cathedral and lovely boutique shops. You can visit the Great Hall of Winchester Castle here, which houses the round table, linked to King Arthur. The city has lots of characterful side streets, perfect for exploring and is a great place to spend a few hours.

Independently from Southampton there are frequent trains Southampton to both Salisbury and Winchester taking 20-30 minutes. However, both cities are served by different railways and to visit both by public transport you will need to retrace your steps via Southampton. We have a detailed page on travelling by train from Southampton so you are informed on getting the best deal.

Travelling with your own vehicle and driver gives you more flexibility with your own itinerary, often with lunch in an atmospheric English country pub. For a private tour or shore excursion from Southampton your vehicle will collect you from your ship or Southampton hotel and the day is customised to your specification. You may just want transport or a fully guided tour it is your choice.

Visit Portsmouth on your tour from Southampton

Portsmouth - Home to the British Navy, Portsmouth is the neighbouring coastal town of Southampton and accessible by public transport. Spend a full day at the Historic Dockyard, where you can explore warships and step aboard a submarine. Pre booking is recommended as discounts are available on line. The complex is close to Gunwharf Keys, an attractive shopping outlet with good restaurant options. You may also venture up the Spinnaker Tower which affords views across to the Isle of Wight.

Independently from Southampton there are frequent trains Southampton to Portsmouth taking around 30 minutes. We have a detailed page on travelling by train from Southampton so you are informed on getting the best deal.

Travelling with your own vehicle and driver gives you more flexibility with your own itinerary. For a private tour or shore excursion from Southampton your vehicle will collect you from your ship or Southampton hotel and the day is customised to your specification. You may just want transport or a fully guided tour it is your choice.

Other ideas on your tour from Southampton

To cover everything that is worthwhile within easy reach of Southampton would be a whole book in itself. The suggestions above are the most popular destinations that cruise passengers enquire about.

In summary most other enquiries reflect a niche interest. If you are into Jane Austen, then she is buried in Winchester Cathedral and a museum to her is worthwhile nearby at Chawton. Even Bath where she lived and wrote is within reach. Highclere Castle, better known as Downton Abbey in the TV and film series can be visited during the summer months.

If you want to visit a brewery, visit an industrial museum or ride a historic steam train then yes, all available. There is also some of the best of the English countryside to tour and cream teas and traditional lunches to experience.

PRIVATE SHORE EXCURSIONS & TOURS FROM SOUTHAMPTON

Book your own tour vehicle, driver or driver-guide from your hotel or cruise terminal

Your own private vehicle provides convenience, flexibility and reliability. It gives you the freedom to spend longer at the sites without the worry of following a timetable, or being dropped some distance of where you want to go. It also offers you a wider range of places to visit; you could combine two sites into one day such as Stonehenge with Salisbury or Winchester.

Private cars cater for groups and couples of up to six and for large groups we have mini-buses and large coaches. You choose whether you just need a friendly driver or a professional guide or driver- guide to accompany you.

The private tour options we offer are:

• Door to door service of an executive touring vehicle for up to 16 people or a touring coach for large groups
• Create your own itinerary or take one of our regular tour routes (see below)- the choice is yours
• Prices are based on 4, 6 or 8 hours hire for up to 16 people, 8 hours for larger groups
• Expert guides can accompany you to provide specialist knowledge during your trip
• Simple, clear and transparent pricing with secure payment
• Discuss your requirements before committing using our enquiry/quotation form below

POPULAR TOURS FOR UP TO 16 PEOPLE - 4, 6 or 8 HOURS?

For small travelling parties of up to sixteen people we offer a choice 4, 6 or 8 hour durations:

4 Hours

• Stonehenge - Visit one of the greatest mysteries of the prehistoric world.
• Salisbury Cathedral - See an original copy of the Magna Carta from 1215.
• Winchester - See the iconic Round Tale from the legend of King Arthur.

6 Hours

• Windsor & Eton - Explore the oldest occupied castle in the world, a favourite home of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
• Stonehenge & Salisbury - Combine Stonehenge with Salisbury Cathedral, built between 1220 and 1258.
• Jane Austen Tour - Jane Austen spent the greater part of her life in the county of Hampshire, and this option takes you on a journey through the countryside that inspired much of her work.

8 Hours

• London - Enjoy a day in England's capital. See Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London & more.
• Bath & Stonehenge - Enjoy the Roman splendour of Bath followed by the mystery of Stonehenge.
• Highclere Castle & Downton Abbey - The world famous home of the Grantham family seen in the hit series Downton Abbey.

LARGER GROUPS OF MORE THAN SIXTEEN PEOPLE - DAY TOURS ONLY

For larger groups we have vehicles ranging from touring mini-buses to full size touring coaches. However for these we only perform full day shore excursions and tours.

We offer a full service and can arrange attraction tickets, appropriate lunch stops and guiding attuned to your groups interests.

QUOTATIONS & ENQUIRIES

For a confirmed personalised quotation that may address any aspects you are concerned about and wish to raise please use the enquiry form below. We will normally respond with a firm quotation within one working day.