Southampton
Southampton has an international outlook supported by unparalleled communications. A centre for world-leading research and innovation, it is also the region's cultural capital.
The City has five art galleries, this includes the University's own Millais Gallery. There are two theatres – The Mayflower stages top West End shows, musicals and ballet and The Nuffield Theatre frequently previews plays destined for London's West End – along with cinemas, nightclubs and good quality restaurants and bars.
The 32,000 seat Friends Provident St Mary's Football Stadium is home to "The Saints" and Hampshire Cricket Club's new ground The Rose Bowl is located on the edge of the city.
Southampton's Old Town has the longest stretch (1.5km) of mediaeval walls in England. The City also boasts seven city centre parks situated close to the vibrant shopping centre.
All this makes Southampton an ideal place for living, learning and life.
Living in the City
Southampton is on the South Coast of England, just over an hour by train to London and within easy distance of Bournemouth, Portsmouth and Winchester. Its location makes it easy to travel to Europe either by ferry or from the city's airport at Eastleigh.
Around and About
The area around Southampton is an exciting region of historic towns, beautiful countryside and miles of coastline. Winchester is a historic Cathedral town, while Portsmouth has a long and distinguished naval history. The New Forest is a short drive from Southampton and it offers 145 square miles of open heath and woodland, which is suitable for walking, horse riding, and cycling.
Other popular attractions include Marwell Zoo|, the National Motor Museum| at Beaulieu and Paultons Park|.
Sports and Leisure
For those of you with any energy left after all that hard work - shopping, drinking and clubbing, there area wide range of leisure sporting activities to enjoy.
Southampton is home to some of the largest yachting marinas on the South coast and also Europe's biggest on-water boat show, held each September. It hosts major sailing events such as the Volvo Ocean Race. For watersport enthusiasts, you can try rowing, whitewater rafting or dinghy sailing, as Southampton is one of Europe's busiest centres for waterbourne activities. If you are interested in Watersports, click here| to visit the website for Sport Solent's Watersports Centre, based at Warsash.
If boats aren't your thing, you can watch league football at the St. Mary's Stadium, home to Southampton F.C (or the Saints as they are known) or first-class cricket at the Hampshire Rose Bowl, which also houses a leisure centre and tennis courts.
If you enjoy playing sport, there are numerous leisure centres throughout the city, with the usual facilities but you can also find a dry ski slope, athletics track, and municipal golf course. For rainy days, you can enjoy a swim at The Quays Swimming and Diving Complex, which offers student concessions.