Southampton

Southampton sits at the head of Southampton Water on England’s south coast, where the Rivers Test and Itchen meet the Solent. The port handles container traffic and large cruise ships from terminals along the waterfront; Ocean Village and the Western Docks are built around marinas, ferry berths and ship-repair facilities. The Itchen Bridge links the eastern suburbs to the city centre and the river channels support a strong local angling and boat-building tradition. The port area includes the grade II listed Cunard Building and container terminals that connect directly to the national rail and road network.

The city centre is ringed by extensive medieval walls with the Bargate as a surviving gatehouse, and museums such as SeaCity and the Tudor House and Garden document local maritime history, including the 1912 sailing of the RMS Titanic from the city. Educational and health institutions include the University of Southampton, Southampton Solent University and University Hospital Southampton. Large green spaces such as Southampton Common sit close to the retail area around Westquay and Above Bar Street, linking residential districts with the waterfront and docks.