HEAD FOR CITY-BY-THE-SEA SOUTHAMPTON FOR AN EARLY SUMMER GETAWAY

Compact, and blending a city-stay buzz with culture, outdoor space and on-the-water action, City of Culture 2025 contender Southampton is ideal for a post May 17 escapade.

New for 2021 is an interactive contemporary art and heritage attraction – God’s House Tower. Plus, the launch of traffic-free alfresco dining hubs, complete with artistic installations and live music performances, sure to bring a real café culture vibe to the city.

Start with a self-guided walk along Southampton’s two-mile long medieval wall, then stroll the historic waterfront area for a sense of the city’s compact glory and its rich history. With more than 90 listed building, 30 ancient monuments plus galleries and museums including the Tudor House and Garden, the fascinating Sea City Museum, John Hansard Gallery and Southampton City Art Gallery, as well as links to the Titanic, the Mayflower and the Spitfire, there’s plenty to explore.

Accommodation-wise the city’s offering is extensive and includes:

STYLISH: Tucked away in Southampton’s medieval walls the smallest of The Pig Hotel group’s litter, is its city-centre Pig in the Wall bolt-hole. With 12 individually styled rooms and a relaxed deli-style dining concept, it’s a place for the cool crowd. Prices for a night from 17 May start from £149 room only, based on two sharing. Tel: 0345 225 9494 www.thepighotel.com

QUIRKY: Industrial chic meets nautical is the theme at Southampton’s latest hotel – the 208-room Moxy. Within walking distance of the centre of the city, the experiential Marriott International hotel brand is located at the Westquay Shopping Centre and near the marina. As well as receiving a complimentary Moxy cocktail on arrival, guests staying at the hotel can make use of the 24/7 self-service food and beverage concept. Prices lead in at £85 per room per night based on two sharing room-only post 17 May. Tel: 0238 168 0269 www.marriott.co.uk

LUXURY: Set on a small, private marina with a striking ’super yacht’ style design, sea views, a fabulous destination rooftop bar, award-winning restaurant, spa and gym, the contemporary-styled The Harbour Hotel is proper 5-star luxury. A post-May 17th stay in one of the 119 luxury rooms costs from £215 based on two sharing on room-only, while suites start from £265 room only. Tel: 0238 110 3456 https://www.harbourhotels.co.uk/southampton

HISTORIC: Dating back to the 1400s, the Dolphin proudly occupies Southampton’s most historic hotel category. Today’s visitors tread in wake of Italian merchants, performing Elizabethan mistrals, gentry, nobility and royalty – and its impressive guest alumni includes Queen Victoria, Admiral Lord Nelson, Jane Austen (who celebrated her 18th birthday there in 1793) and William Makepeace Thackary, who used its grand interior as a writing den. A post 17th May stay costs from £49.50 on two sharing room-only. Tel: 023 8038 6460 www.dolphin-southampton.com

FAMILIES: To make the most of the new outdoor dining options, Room2 is a luxury self-catering aparthotel. As well as rooms for two and more, there’s also an ideal family suite which features an elevated loft level with futon mattress as well as a separate dedicated sleeping space. There’s also a kitchenette with dishwasher, large dining table, a bespoke couch across the width of the room and TV. A two-night Friday to Sunday weekend stay post 17 May costs from £348.50 based on four sharing a Master Loft room. Tel: 0238 057 2222 www.room2.com/southampton