Southampton 3-hour self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt

Are you looking for things to do in Southampton? Try our 3-hour self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt to walk this port city.

Walk from Queen’s Park to Guildhall and the Southampton City Art Gallery while seeing churches, ancient wall segments, parks, and monuments. Solve challenges at every stop to learn your next destination. You’ll also learn some local history and fun facts.

Scavenger Hunt information :

What you'll see

Queen’s Park
Palmerston Park
St. Michaels Square
Bargate
Guildhall Square
Tudor House & Garden
Southampton Town Walls
Titanic Engineers Memorial
Southampton City Art Gallery
And much more!

Specifications & Requirements

Starting point: in Vokes Memorial Gardens, Southampton SO14 3FU, United Kingdom.
- This is 6 minutes walk from the Cruise Terminal and across the street (to the south) from Queen’s Park.
Distance: 4.6 km / 2.9 mi
Duration: 3 hours
Method: walking
Required: Fully charged smartphone with internet access (data plan) – Wifi will not be enough.
Suggested:
- Water bottle
- Local map

History

Ancient History

This area had been inhabited since the stone age (2,000 – 4,000 BCE).

Fortress Clausentum was built here during the Roman invasion in the 1st century CE. It stood until around 410.

The surrounding town declined with Viking raids in the 9th century but rebounded with the Norman Conquest in 1066 as it became a major port of transit between England and Normandy.

From a port of transit in the 11th century, it evolved into a trading port through the 13th century, importing French wine and exploring English cloth and wool.

In 1338 Southampton was sacked by French, Genoese, and Monegasque ships. The loot served to found the principality of Monaco. King Edward III ordered walls to be built.

Modern History

Shipbuilding became an important industry here in the 15th century. Southampton was the departure point for the Pilgrim Fathers aboard the Mayflower in 1620, headed to the new world.

In the 18th century, it became a spa town and a popular site for sea bathing. This is despite the fact that there isn’t any good sandy beach around.

Under the Victorian era, stone dry-docks were built, then the railway connected the city to London in 1840.

In 1912 the RMS Titanic sailed from Southampton. It was the home port of the RMS Queen Mary and RMS Queen Elizabeth. The in the 1960s, the container terminals were opened and continued to expand.