VENUE GUIDE 2019 Southampton & Solent Region VENUE GUIDE WHY SOUTHAMPTON? "There is so Contents much more to Why Southampton? WELCOME TO SOUTHAMPTON 4 EXPERIENCE SOUTHAMPTON 6 Southampton SOUTHAMPTON IS A GROWING CITY! 8 A LOOK BACK OVER THE YEARS! 11 KEY EVENTS 12 – I strongly MAYFLOWER 400 COMMEMORATIONS 13 MEET THE PEOPLE MAKING IT HAPPEN 14 INCENTIVES, ACTIVITIES & TEAMBUILDING 16 encourage you MARITIME HISTORY IN SOUTHAMPTON 18 LITERARY GREAT: JANE AUSTEN 19 to come and find OUR DELEGATE SERVICES 20 Venues 2 3 A-Z OF VENUES & SUPPLIERS 21 out for yourself." RESIDENTAIL VENUES 22 NON-RESIDENTIAL VENUES 54 SUPPLIERS 64 Neil Garwood, Managing Director Destination Southampton Southampton Airport MEET THE TEAM 68 HOW CAN WE HELP YOU? 69 BUREAU FAQ’S 70 WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY… 71 GETTING TO SOUTHAMPTON 72 WHERE IN THE WORLD? FEATURED VENUES 74 0345 226 9944 | [email protected] WWW.DESTINATIONSOUTHAMPTON.COM VENUE GUIDE WHY SOUTHAMPTON? WHY SOUTHAMPTON? #MeetSouthampton The historic city of Southampton is a Welcome to treasure trove of hidden gems. It has been a hub for transport and commerce for thousands of years and its medieval Southampton walls have borne witness to some of the most pivotal moments in English history. Today the city is host to a thriving port, which is not only the largest in the UK for Southampton is a city automotive trade, but also welcomes the world's largest possibly most famous for cruise ships docking and departing on a daily basis. people leaving it – being the departure point for both the Southampton has two city centre theatres, the Mayflower Mayflower and Titanic – but being the third largest theatre outside of London, and the new NST City is part of a multi-million pound cultural there is so much more to this development in the heart of the city and one of the only city that makes it a fantastic self producing theatres left in the country. The other half place to live, visit and do of this development is the new John Hansard Gallery, business. which in conjunction with the Southampton City Art 4 Gallery, and museums such as SeaCity make the arts and 5 The south’s largest city by The city holds a remarkable cultural offering in the city truly world-class. population, Southampton place in history with a rich is really well connected maritime and aviation For the shopaholic and foodie, the city is overflowing with offering excellent and easy heritage, and has a some of the worlds biggest retail brands and restaurants, transport routes to historic tremendous amount to offer as well as a wealth of independent outlets. Winchester, the New Forest, businesses, industry and the Southampton is largest city in Hampshire and is situated is the gateway to the Isle four million tourists that visit just 78 miles from London. Its great transport links of Wight and the world’s every year. nationally and internationally make it an easy place to visit greatest cruise ships. by plane, train, automobile, or even by water. There are over 3,000 hotel beds in the city and Neil Garwood, Managing Director surrounding area which ensure Southampton remains Southampton Airport the premier conference destination. With its world class cultural, heritage, and leisure offering, there are plenty of reasons for attendees to stay on and explore the city once an event has finished. DISCOVER MORE 0345 226 9944 | [email protected] WWW.DESTINATIONSOUTHAMPTON.COM VENUE GUIDE WHY SOUTHAMPTON? CULTURE SHOPPING Experience • The Mayflower Theatre From big brand high street staples to independent boutiques, is the third largest in the Southampton has the lot. With two indoor shopping centres, country and biggest touring a pedestrianised High Street, an IKEA store and retail park you Southampton theatre outside of London. will be spoilt for choice. The theatre seats 2,300 and group bookings are LEISURE HERITAGE welcome. EATING • The new NST Theatre and With a tantalising choice of eateries across the city, there is • The city is home to more • Southampton is home • Henry 5th marched his John Hansard Gallery something for everyone. Choose from waterside dining at than 400 shops, ranging to the longest surviving troops through the city’s opened in 2018, expanding Ocean Village, bistros and coffee houses on Oxford Street, and from large department stretch of medieval walls in medieval West Gate en the city’s cultural offering themed restaurants and bars at Westquay or the city’s Cultural stores to small independent England, many of which you route to The Battle of hugely and providing two Quarter. boutiques with modern are still able to walk along. Agincourt. The West Gate major new events venues. shopping centres and a remains open to visitors to • The Pilgrim Fathers set • Southampton City Art retail park. walk in the legendary king’s sail on the Mayflower Gallery houses one of the NIGHTLIFE footsteps. • An incredibly diverse dining from Southampton on largest collections of art in offer includes intimate their journey to the new • The iconic WW2 Spitfire the country and is free. Why Southampton has a diverse nightlife scene, offering everything independent restaurants, world. The legacy of the fighter plane was RJ not include a visit to the from West End productions at the Mayflower Theatre, to a world famous brands, and voyage can still be seen Mitchell designed and built gallery as part of your event? Hollywood film at one of four cinemas, or watching a live 6 7 large buffet restaurants in Southampton as its in Southampton. The city’s band at one of the many live music venues. Or you can • With over 40 public serving over 150 different Mayflower Memorial stands aeronautical heritage can try something a little different such as an escape room events taking place in dishes. proudly opposite the city’s be seen at the Solent Sky experience, or even Bongo’s Bingo at Switch. Whether you the city centre each year, Mayflower Park. Museum. prefer a traditional pub, elegant cocktail bar or booming night • The annual Boat Show, with Southampton is a city club, you will be sure of a great night out! over 600 exhibitors, and • The fateful Titanic left from • Sightseeing walks and in which there is always the more recent addition the port of Southampton in tours in and around something going on. of Sailing Week has put April 1912, never to return. Southampton offer visitors Southampton on the map Now the SeaCity Museum great opportunities to as a top location for boating in the city’s Cultural explore the heritage, taking enthusiasts. Quarter pays homage to in medieval walls and vaults, the local crew members Norman-era churches and • The sporting venues of the and enlightens visitors monuments to the city’s Ageas Bowl and St. Mary’s on Southampton’s rich important historical events. Stadium offer unique spaces maritime history. for conferences, events and exhibitions as well as host a • Jane Austen famously number of top concert acts spent 3 periods of her life in throughout the year. Southampton and danced in the main conference • With over 50 parks and room of what is now the green open spaces, Mercure Dolphin Hotel in Southampton is one of the the High Street. THERE'S MORE greenest cities in the UK. 0345 226 9944 | [email protected] WWW.DESTINATIONSOUTHAMPTON.COM VENUE GUIDE WHY SOUTHAMPTON? "Southampton is proving to be the place to live, work, Southampton is visit and a growing city! invest." For the last decade Southampton has risen steadily through the league tables for growth, confirming itself as the economic powerhouse of England’s South coast. 8 9 Leader of Southampton City Council, Proud to be working in Councillor Christopher Hammond said: partnership with … “With a further programme of reports are a reflection of the large scale development being council’s commitment to delivering Based upon the City Centre At the core of the plan are the This tangible display of announced in the New Year and successful and sustainable Master Plan, the city is Very Important Projects (VIPs) redevelopment and growth an ambitious transport strategy economic growth. We’re proud undergoing an ambitious which are either completed, gives businesses and taking shape, Southampton is that Southampton has seen a vast scheme of regeneration, which underway or in the pipeline. investors the confidence that proving to be the place to live, improvement in many of the key has attracted over £2bn of The VIPs are becoming Southampton's ambition is work, visit and invest. indicators that are considered investment since 2012. part of Southampton's new matched by a clear vision and in these reports; with advances landscape and contributing to ability to deliver. “As one of the fastest growing cities in environment, skills, owner the creation of a vibrant and in England, Southampton is a occupation, new businesses, health energetic city centre. city of opportunity. These latest and jobs being of most note.” 0345 226 9944 | [email protected] WWW.DESTINATIONSOUTHAMPTON.COM CLEAR VISION £2BN and ability OF INVESTMENT to deliver SINCE 2012 VENUE GUIDE WHY SOUTHAMPTON? 2014 Launched Hampshire A look back Conference Bureau 2001 in partnership with Hampshire County over the years! Council th St Marys Stadium 19 January opened bringing 1999 impressive new 2017 19th January conference facilities to 2012 2015 2016 Destination Southampton the city Commemorations Southampton Harbour 2019 incorporated with the support Team building The Destination around the city to Hotel opened, offering 5 of Southampton City Council with Bear