Welcome to Southampton

Southampton is recognised as the commercial, cultural and retail capital of the south coast. It’s diverse and thriving economy, along with its mild climate, wealth of countryside and proximity to the sea, makes Southampton one of the best places in the UK to live and work.

The population of Southampton is around 221,200 and it is growing in popularity with its continual growth in modern city centre living.

The area has excellent schools and further education establishments, and has two universities, Southampton University and Southampton Solent University.

Leisure and sporting facilities are in abundance including St Mary’s Stadium, home of Southampton FC “The Saints” and The Rose Bowl home to Hampshire Cricket Club which also hosts international and Twenty20 cricket.

The Southampton Boat Show, the largest show of its kind in Europe, takes place every September and was visited by about 123,000 people in 2006. With its proximity to the famous waters of the Solent, home of the highly prestigious Cowes Week, the River Hamble and home port to the QEII and Queen Mary and the new generation of superliners such as Oriana, Arcadia and Aurora, Southampton’s links with the sea has long been established.

As the regional capital of culture, Southampton has a significant number of art galleries, including the internationally recognised Southampton Art Gallery which has the finest collection of 20th Century British Art in the UK, along with theatres, music venues, and cinemas. The city welcomed Bon Jovi in June 2006 at the St Mary's Stadium and UB40 and Jools Holland & his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, supported by special guests Sam Brown and Ruby Turner on Southampton Common in July 2006.

Southampton is the undisputed retail capital of the south coast with three city centre shopping centres including the award winning WestQuay shopping mall. The city caters for all tastes and boasts a diverse mix of lifestyle, fashion and food retailers.

For those who love the outdoor life, The New Forest, just a short drive from Southampton, provides excellent walking, cycling, horse riding and camping experiences. The south’s magnificent coast line and beaches are within easy reach providing walking and safe bathing along with exhilarating watersports such as windsurfing, sailing and power boat racing.

Southampton’s excellent road, train and air connections make travel to other parts of the UK and Europe easy.