Ferries from Southampton
Southampton is the largest city on the south coast of England. It is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest. Flanked by the rivers Test and Itchen on two sides, Southampton has inspired thinkers and explorers for centuries. Having a natural theme, Southampton is a home to many tourist attractions. Famous for the ill-fated ship "Titanic", which was built here, Southampton is a hub of shopping malls and tourist attractions. History Southampton has a long and colourful history. Known as the ‘Home of Ocean Sailing’, its famous docks have seen many of the world’s greatest ocean liners come and go, including the QE2 and the ill-fated Titanic. Every year it is host to such classic sailing events as the BT Global Challenge and the Southampton Boat Show, both of which pull a large crowd from around the world. The Romans first built a port on the River Itchen in the area now known as Bitterne Manor, but it wasn’t until Saxon times that a major settlement developed. Hamtun, as it was known, became the largest town in the 8th century, before falling to the Vikings. French raids in 1338 led to the construction of fortifications that can still be admired today. Bargate and Westgate are two of the best preserved Medieval Town Walls in the UK. Over subsequent centuries Southampton’s status as a port grew. In 1415 Henry V set sail for France and Agincourt, and in 1620 English Puritans went off to the New World in the Mayflower. When steam arrived, Southampton developed into a major centre for the shipping industry. It was this, and its importance for the D-Day landings, that led to its virtual destruction during the Second World War. What to See and Do in Southampton
