Southampton is a city and major port situated on the south coast of England. It is the closest city to the New Forest
Southampton is named the 'Green City' as it is graced with many green spaces and parks. Standing in any area of Southampton, if you turn 360 degrees you will see atleast one form of greenery. The largest green space is Southampton Common, parts of which are used to host the annual summer festivals, circuses and funfairs. The Common covers a larger area than Hyde Park in London and includes a Wildlife Centre on the former site of Southampton Zoo, a swimming pool and several lakes and ponds. The city also boasts the Southampton Sports Centre which is the focal point for the public's sporting and outdoor activities and includes an Alpine Centre, Theme Park and Athletics Centre used by professional athletes.Many historic buildings were lost as a result, but the old city walls remain, as does the Bargate, formerly the main gateway to the city at the northern end of the walls (Southampton has England's second-longest stretch of surviving Medieval wall, the longest being in York). The Bargate is often used as a symbol of the city
The city is home to the University of Southampton, Southampton Solent University and West Quay shopping centre, which was the biggest city-centre shopping mall in Europe when it was opened. It is also the headquarters of Ordnance Survey, the UK's national mapping agency. The Lloyd's Register Group has announced plans to move its London marine operations to a specially developed site at the University of Southampton.
Southampton has always been strongly connected with maritime history and developments. In particular, it is a primary port for cruise ships, its heyday being the first half of the 20th Century, and in particular the inter-war years, when it handled almost half the passenger traffic of the UK. Today it remains home to many luxury liners, as well as being a very important container port.
The outstanding harbour means it is the principal port on the south coast. Sailing is a popular sport here. Much of this is centred around the Ocean Village development, a local marina which includes one of the South Coast's major independent cinema complexes, Harbour Lights. From 1977 to 2001 the famous Whitbread Around the World Yacht Race (now known as the Volvo Ocean Race) started in Southampton
Southampton Football Club (a.k.a. the "Saints") is also based here,
Hampshire's county Cricket ground is the Rose Bowl, Southampton, in nearby West End.
Suburbs include Bassett, Bassett Green, Bevois Valley, Bitterne, Bitterne Park, Bitterne Manor, Chartwell Green, Chilworth, Coxford, Freemantle, Harefield, Highfield, Lordshill Lordswood, Mansbridge, Maybush, Midanbury, Millbrook, Northam, Nursling, New Town, Old Town, Polygon, Portswood, Redbridge, Rownhams, Shirley, Sholing, St. Denys, St. Mary's, Swaythling, Thornhill, Townhill Park, Weston, Woolston
Notable current and former residents of Southampton include: Craig David (R&B singer), Benny Hill (comedian), Matthew Le Tissier (footballer), Chris Packham (naturalist)
Southampton Hotel, Southampton Bed and Breakfast, Southampton Cheap Hotel accommodation suitable for a Southampton Weekend Break, a Southampton City Break, Southampton Wedding Accommodation, Southampton Guys Night out, Southampton Girls Night out or even a Southampton Stag Night or a Southampton Hen Night