Shepherd's huts near Southampton

Southampton is one of the UK’s busiest passenger ports, with ferries setting sail for France, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Wight. This port town is more than just a travel hub, though—it’s also a buzzing cultural hub filled with shopping centres, museums, restaurants, and great nightlife. Watch the ships come in from the portside Mayflower Park, walk the old city walls up to Bargate, then hit the shops at the Westquay Shopping Centre. Urban camping options are limited, but you’ll find spacious campsites along the River Hamble to the south, as well as in the nearby New Forest National Park.

Southampton is all about the water and always has been. It should come as no surprise then to know that most of its sights and attractions have a watery appeal. If visiting Southampton on a camping holiday, you might like to head for the Seacity Museum, which tells the maritime history of the town, from where the Titanic launched on her ill-fated voyage. You may also want to take a cruise on the Solent or catch a ferry to the Isle of Wight. Although the docks are now a thoroughly modern affair, Southampton old town still offers reminders of times gone by, including the Tudor House and Gardens, which reveals 800 years of history.

Away from the sea, Southampton’s other appeal is its location in the middle of the Hampshire coastline. It’s easily reached from London and just a 30-minute drive from the historic city of Winchester, which is a nice place to visit on a camping holiday. It’s also a gateway to the New Forest National Park, where walking, cycling, and horse-riding opportunities abound. Within the boundaries of the national park, Beaulieu’s country house, gardens, and National Motor Museum are additional popular places to visit.

For families with kids who love theme park rides, Paultons Park which includes Peppa Pig World, is hard to beat. For more information and ideas of things to do on a camping or glamping holiday in Southampton, head to Lyndhurst’s New Forest National Park visitor centre.