Summer in Southampton (July 2009)

Summer is a great time of year to visit Southampton! The city comes alive with visitors from across the country and the rest of the world, here to enjoy the warm and sunny weather, and the many events that happen every summer in Southampton.  World famous sporting events such as Cowes Week, or the UK's top boat show, the Southampton Boat Show, are just two of the city's top events.

Cowes Week

Steeped in history and tradition, Cowes Week is the longest running annual regatta in the world and is as much a part of the British summer calendar as Wimbledon, or Royal Ascot.  Set around the small town of Cowes on the Isle of Wight, yacht racing occurs in the Solent, the stretch of water that runs between Southampton and the Isle of Wight, attracting over a thousand different boats and around 8,500 competitors. 

Cowes may be at the centre of this summertime event, but Southampton is very much a part of Cowes Week too, providing the port for the ferry crossing across the Solent, additional accommodation, and of course plenty of other attractions too.  In 2009, Cowes Week will run from the 1^st to the 8^th of August.

Southampton Boat Show

Keeping with the nautical theme, the Southampton Boat Show is another top event that takes place every year.  Since 1969 the Southampton Boat Show has been held at Mayflower Park, and is one of the highlights of summer in Southampton.

Over 100,000 visitors come to the Southampton Boat Show to see around 600 exhibitors who are mainly boat builders, owners, and sailing companies, and to enjoy numerous attractions and fun events.  You can tour the tall ship Lord Nelson, try a boat for free, go diving, watch search and rescue demonstrations, and let the kids go boating for free, all at the Southampton Boat Show! In 2009 the Southampton Boat Show will take place from the 11^th to the 20^th September.

Parks in Southampton

Enjoying summer in Southampton is not just about attending big events! Southampton has plenty more attractions that are great to enjoy all summer long including numerous public parks, and you may even find there's a free event going on in one of the parks too!

The Common, for example, is one of Southampton's top parks and covers an impressive 326 acres.  You'll find an abundance of flora and fauna in this park that has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Pitch and Putt is great fun on lazy summer days and there are several parks in Southampton where you can enjoy a round or two! And if playing Pitch and Putt has got you in the mood for golf, try a round on the 9-hole or 18-hole Southampton Municipal Golf Course, or on one of the many private golf courses in the Southampton area.

Water Sports in Southampton

Visitors who've always wanted to try out a variety of different water sports will find that summer in Southampton is the perfect time and place to do so! There are numerous centres where you can enrol on courses or just pop in to use the facilities.  Southampton Water Activities Centre offers courses, while Woodmill Outdoor Centre has fishing, plus canoeing and kayaking courses.  Of course there's always plenty of opportunity for sailing in the Solent too!

Whatever you like doing you'll find that summer in Southampton has something for you and your whole family to enjoy!

If you'd like to find out more about what events are happening in Southampton, visit our Citylocal Southampton Events page.