From tours of the port, to workshops on designing your own armour, there’s plenty to do in Southampton this bank holiday weekend and during half term week (May 27 to June 4) at recreational and leisure facilities, art galleries, museums, libraries and parks. Here’s a roundup.
See what you fancy from the range of activities below:
Sea City
Summer Port Tours are taking place from May 27 to June 3, running hourly from 10am, six times a day, from the railway station, Civic Centre and Bargate Street, offering an informative and fascinating view of one of the busiest working ports in the world. Solent Blue Line, supported by Associated British Ports and Southampton City Council, will be launching fully commentated bus tours of the Port to celebrate the visit of the cruise liner, Freedom of the Seas. Costs are Ł5 per adult, Ł3 per child and Ł15 per group of five people, and last for around one hour. Click here for more information.
Harbour tours
Blue Funnel Cruises are offering harbour tours from Town Quay, from 27 May to June 3, aboard their vessel Jenny R from 11am (weather and demand permitting on 29 May.) Click here or call 023 8022 3278 for more information.
View cruise ships
You can take the SS Shieldhall to view cruise ships on May 27. The Shieldhall is a heritage steamship, included in the National Historic Ships Core Collection, and is generally recognised to be the largest steamship of her type in Britain, and possibly in Europe. The SS Shieldhall will provide you with the opportunity to view the Sea Princess, Legend of the Seas, Oceana and Oriana as they depart the Port of Southampton. The Shieldhall will depart at 3pm and return at 7pm. The excursion starts and finishes from Berth 48, Eastern Docks, Southampton (entrance via Dock Gate Number 4) and costs Ł19.50. To book or find out more contact Blue Funnel Cruises on 023 8022 3278.
Vessels in Port
The Legend of the Seas, Sea Princess, Oriana and Oceana are all due to arrive in Southampton on May 27 between 6am and 7am, and sail again between 5pm and 6pm. Vessels are usually visible from the Town Quay area of Southampton. For more details click here
The Queen Mary 2 is due to arrive in Southampton on May 29 at 5.30am and sail again at 6pm.
The Queen Elizabeth 2, Artemis and Saga Rose are all due to arrive in Southampton on May 31 between 6.30am and 7am, all sailing again at 5pm.
A ‘Powerboat Docks Trip’ will be taking place on June 2 and Dinghy Sailing and Powerboat Taster Sessions on June 3; for more information contact Solent Water Activities Centre on 023 8091 5753 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Sea Princess and Oceana are due to arrive in Southampton on June 3 at 7am and sail again at 5pm.
Sport and Recreation
Bitterne Park Sports Hall, Dimond Road
For details of half-term activities for children, see our separate article here.
Bitterne Leisure Centre
Swimming crash courses at Bitterne Leisure Centre from May 30 to June 2
9 am - Level 3
9.30 am - Level 2
10 am - Level 1
Ł16 without Leisure Card, Ł14.40 with Leisure Card.
10.30 am - May 30 and June 1 Swim Tots
Ł4.00 per class
10.30 am - May 31 and June 2 Parent and Baby
Ł3.30 per class
For more information call 023 8043 7647.
Soft Play Sessions at Bitterne Leisure Centre on May 29 and 30, and June 1 from 12noon until 1pm for Ł2.00. For more information call 023 8043 7647.
Fun Pool Sessions with mats, floats and the flume at Bitterne Leisure Centre between 1.30 and 2.30pm. Ł1.80 Children, Ł3.10 Adults. An adult must accompany children under eight years. For more information call 023 8043 7647.
PYFA (Platinum Youth Fitness Academy) Access to fitness suite at Bitterne Leisure Centre for ages 12 to 15. May 29 to June 1 from 4pm until 5.30pm and June 3 from 9.30am until 11am and 11am until 12.30pm. For more information call 023 8043 7668.
The Quays
Open weekend at the Quays Eddie Read Swimming and Diving Complex on May 27 and 28 from 10am and 4pm. The Quays will be opening their doors providing fun activities over the bank holiday weekend for free. There will also be a variety of competitions and offers. You can try diving taster sessions, baby massage, group fitness sessions, fun inflatable sessions, health & fitness testing and free inductions for adults and children. There will also be Platinum Health & Fitness joining offers, including the chance to win a limo for the night, a free massage, children’s bike and one month’s free membership. Booking is advisable for many of the activities but you are welcome to just turn up and find out what the Quays and Platinum can offer you. For more information call 023 8072 0900.
St Marys Leisure Centre
The climbing wall will be available at St Marys Leisure Centre from May 27 to June 4. Times on Monday, Wednesday and Friday are from 9.15am until 10pm; on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.15am until 8pm; and Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 6pm. For more information contact 023 8022 7579
Libraries
Native American Dreams - activities at Bitterne Library on May 30 from 2.30pm until 3.30pm for four to eight year olds. You do not need to book, just turn up. Parents/carers must stay with under 5s.
Museums
Pirates at the Maritime Museum on May 31 from 10am until 12noon and 1.30pm until 3.30pm: discover the treasures of the Maritime Museum and hear stories of action and adventure on the high seas. Make a pirate’s hat and a parrot and go on a treasure hunt around the Maritime Museum. Children will also get the chance to make their very own treasure chest. To book please telephone 023 8063 5904 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Roman Holidays at God’s House Tower Museum of Archaeology on May 30 from 10am to 12 noon or 1.30pm until 3.30pm - lots of fun holiday activities with a Roman theme. Handle real Roman artefacts that are nearly 2000 years old, try on a toga, make a mosaic, learn about Roman games, make a Roman necklace to take home and lots more! All activities are Ł4.50 per child payable in advance. Suitable for children aged eight and over (Children below the age of eight years will need to be accompanied by an adult throughout the workshop). To book please telephone 023 8063 5904 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Flint Knapping session with Dr John McNabb from the centre for the archaeology of Human Origins, University of Southampton at God’s House Tower Museum of Archaeology on May 27 from 2pm until 4pm. This event is free for all the family. There will also be the opportunity to visit the Museum of Archaeology’s B.C. exhibition The Prehistory of Southampton shows flint tools, mammoth’s teeth and Bronze Age axe heads that date back thousands of years.
Southampton City Art Gallery
The Gallery offers a range of activities for children and adults to explore together, including drop-in and ticketed special activities for school holidays. To book tickets or to ask for information by post call 023 8063 2601.
Bodies of Water are on display at Galleries 1 — 4 every day from May 27 — June 4. Bodies of Water features the work of three leading contemporary artists; Susan Durges, Hughie O`Donoghue and Michael Porter, whose interest in natural phenomena and historical events has prompted them to engage with the subject of water on a monumental scale, using non-traditional methods. The title of the exhibition alludes both to the rivers, lakes and seas that inspired the three artists, as well as to the different ways that they have used water as an embodiment of human existence and experience. This is a free event. For more information contact the gallery on 023 8083 4563.
Design your own armour!
Armour Art is on May 30 from 10.30am until 3.30pm in the Gallery’s education room. Prices are Ł15 per child aged between eight and 12. Inspired by the gallery’s ‘Perseus series’, this exciting workshop will have you designing and building your own armour. Lead by artist Roy Brown this fun-filled sculpture day will explore a mixture of materials and sculptural techniques. Old clothes and a packed lunch required. For more information contact the Education Officer 023 8083 2758, visit the box office in the Gallery foyer or call 023 8063 2601.
Play through print
‘Play through Print - Summer Flowers’ on May 31 from 10.30am and 11.30am, and 1pm until 2pm in the education room. Building on the success of the previous session, artist Kate Whyley will again lead the ‘playing through print’. This great workshop will investigate a variety of different basic printmaking techniques through which the children will learn about shape, colour and texture. Prices are Ł4 each and aimed at children aged six and under. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information contact the Education Officer 023 8083 2758 visit the box office in the Gallery foyer or call 023 8063 2601.
Grow you own Garden
Grow you own Garden on June 1 between 10.30am and 3.30pm in the education room. Aimed at children aged eight to 12 years old. Led by artist Kate Whyley this inspiring sculpture workshop has been inspired by the start of summer. Using your imagination you will create fantastic flowers and exciting plants that stretch and grow. The workshop uses a mixture of materials and weaving techniques to develop decorative garden sculptures. Old clothes and a packed lunch required. Prices are Ł15 per child. For more information contact the Education Officer 023 8083 2758 visit the box office in the Gallery foyer or call 023 8063 2601.
Hawthorn Urban Wildlife Centre, Southampton Common & Park Events
Reminiscences of St James at St James Church Hall on May 27 from 11am until 3pm. Bring along your photographs and memories to share of the Park. This is a free event.
Storytelling & puppet show in Houndwell Park (behind Woolworths). This is a free event on May 27 from 1.30pm until 4pm.
Flower Power Family Activity Day at the Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre, The Common on May 31 from 11am until 4pm. A fun filled day finding out about the amazing life of plants with trails, craft, activities and stories. A free event. An adult must accompany children at all times.
BBC Springwatch event on Southampton Common on June 4 from 10am until 6pm. A free event to include a discovery trail, dance and music performances and demonstrations.
Common Conservation Walk starting from the Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre on June 6 from 2pm. This is a free event.
For more information on Hawthorn events contact Hilary Bradley on 023 8067 1921.