The city of Southampton lies at the confluence of three rivers- River Test, River Hamble, and River Itchen and is the largest city by area in Hampshire, UK. As per the 2016 estimates, the population of Southampton is around 254,275 and has been increasing steadily over the years.
Southampton, which is part of Hampshire, is also called “Soton” and its residents are called “Sotonians”. The city is popularly known as the cruise capita” as it is the home port for many luxury cruise ships. Historically as well, Southampton was a busy port for passenger travel and the fateful RMS Titanic had departed from Southampton to New York in April 1912.
The city welcomes close to 4 million visitors each year and offers art, culture, rich history and natural beauty. The city has one of the largest shopping centers- Westquay along with museums, parks, and art galleries. The city is also home to Southampton Football Club, popularly known as The Saints. Cricket and Rugby clubs are also active in Southampton.
The major attractions in Southampton are Bargate, Tudor House and Garden, Sea City Museum, Titanic Trail, Solent Sky, Westquay shopping center, and Ocean Village.
As per archeology records, Southampton has been inhabited since the Stone Ages. Later, the Romans conquered the natives and settled in towns which are in the current city of Southampton. During the early 13th century, Southampton became a major port for transit between cities of Winchester and Normandy.
Over the years, the city emerged as an important port for passenger travel as well as shipbuilding. Southampton currently is one of the major hubs for luxury cruise liners. The city’s economy is built on shipbuilding, cruises, and retail industry.
Parking in Southampton, especially near famous landmarks or sightseeing points is definitely a challenge due to the lack of good parking spots. Further, the available parking areas charge a hefty parking fee, leaving you feeling stressed and upset. TravelCar’s tie-up with parking centers near the city’s main landmarks and the downtown area provides low-cost safe and secure parking services. The company provides various parking options based on a customer’s needs and requirements. One can choose from short-term parking or long-term parking; outdoor parking or indoor parking etc. TravelCar also offers its customer the option of changing their parking service option for a nominal fee and the service can be canceled at no extra cost. All these facilities are provided at a low and affordable price which makes it a “too good to be true” parking service provider.
TravelCar has expanded its presence in all the major cities of Europe and its parking services are available near all major landmarks and sightseeing spots. Thus, it’s a boon for holiday goers who would be away for more than a couple of weeks and do not like to leave their cars parked in public parking areas due to the fear of thefts and fine. The company offers a short-term and a long-term parking plan to suit everyone’s requirements. The long-term parking rates differ based on “unlimited access” or “limited access” option. Customers also have the option of converting short-term parking to long-term parking by just paying a nominal fee. Now you can go on a holiday without stressing about your car. Park it with TravelCar and be rest assured that it will be kept safe and returned to you just like you left it.
The competition in parking service providers is very high, though TravelCar is miles ahead due to its low cost as well as secure parking service. The company takes extra care of your vehicle and ensures that it is kept safely. The parking area is monitored via security cameras and is also patrolled by staff. There is round the clock monitoring and any untoward incident is investigated. The company understands the importance of safety of the vehicles and has therefore emerged as the parking provider of choice amongst tourists, visitors, and locals.
Southampton is a city which sees some of the biggest luxury liners depart from its ports and thus naturally, has many visitors round the year. The city offers everything from historical monuments, inviting museums, art, and culture along with retail centers. Some of the famous sightseeing points in Southampton are:
Bargate
Bargate, built in the Norman era, as part of the Southampton Walls, is a gatehouse situated in the city center of Southampton. The building’s medieval walls are the third longest stretch of walls in Britain. The Bargate is visited by people to see the Norman and Roman architecture and also understand the rich history of Southampton. Bargate also hosts certain events for the Southampton Solent University as well. Being the center of the city, Bargate is a must-visit place in Southampton.
Tudor House and Garden
The Tudor House was built in the 15th century for a merchant family and has now been converted into a museum. The museum exhibits artifacts from the Edwardian and Victorian eras. Visitors can opt for an audio guide and enjoy seeing kitchenware, jewelry and archeological pieces from the era. A visit to the Tudor House and Gardens helps one understand the history and culture of Southampton.
SeaCity Museum
The SeaCity Museum is built as a memorial to RMS Titanic which ventured on its ill-fated maiden voyage from Southampton. The museum also pays respect to Southampton’s rich maritime history as an important port and also the hub for passenger ships. The museum was opened in April 2012 marking 100 years of RMS Titanic.
The Titanic Trail
The Titanic Trail is basically a map following which one can visit the many monuments and landmarks built in the remembrance of Titanic and its passengers. RMS Titanic started for its maiden voyage from Southampton in April 1912 and drowned midway after hitting an iceberg. The Titanic trail takes you to the Titanic Engineer’s Memorial, made out of bronze and granite, to pay respect to the 35 engineers aboard the Titanic who did not survive. The Titanic trail also leads you to the Titanic Musician’s Memorial, which is dedicated to the musicians on the ship who played music right till the end. The Titanic Trail is a good way to learn about Titanic’s history and the about the people who lost their lives.
The Solent Sky Museum
Along with being a harbor and port city, Southampton was also known for its aviation industry. The Solent Sky Museum is dedicated to Southampton’s aviation history and showcases a number of airplane models, photographs as well as some real airplanes. The city was well known for its experimental work in the field of aviation and the biggest example of the same is the “Spitfire”, a fighter jet which was extensively used in WWII. The museum also holds the Supermarine racing seaplane, which won the Schneider Trophy in 1930 and was built before the famous Spitfire. The Solent Sky Museum is a fun place to visit with your family, kids, and especially if you are an aviation enthusiast.
The Westquay Shopping Center
There is no therapy better than retail therapy! If you believe this to be true as well, a visit to Westquay Shopping Center should be on your itinerary. The Westquay Shopping center is the biggest retail center in Southampton built over 800,000 square feet containing more than 130 shops. The retail center has all the big names like John Lewis, M&S, Zara, Apple etc. The Westquay shopping center opened in September 2000 and is one of the most visited places in Southampton. Head to the Westquay Shopping Center if you need to get something for yourself, for a loved one or just for some window shopping!
The Ocean Village
The Ocean Village, situated at the mouth of River Itchen, is a marina consisting of residential, and commercial buildings along with restaurants, cinemas, cafes, and bars. The Ocean Village was earlier a harbor used for commercial ships and still consists of 375 berths along with deep basin for mooring large yachts. A visit to the Ocean Village means spending a nice summer day looking at beautiful yachts, shopping a little and lounging in one of the top class restaurants and cafes. The marina also provides fun rides on the yacht for a fee.
It's difficult to think beyond TravelCar when it comes to choosing a parking service provider. The company along with its advantages of low cost, secured parking, multiple parking options, and unlimited reach is also fairly simple to book. A parking service can be booked from the comfort of your home via their website which opens on the computer as well as mobile. The booking process is simple and requires you to enter only a few information like the date of parking service, parking center required for parking, parking type, vehicle etc. Another easy way to book a parking service is by calling their 24/7 customer care center where the trained staff will help you book your required parking service. This leaves you tension free and energized for a day full of sightseeing or a day at the office.
TravelCar’s customer care experience sets it apart from its competition. The company employs trained, professional, and courteous staff who are available 24/7 to help you with any query regarding booking a service, fee or any other requests. The customer care staff try and resolve all the issues and help provide a smooth and enjoyable experience with the company. The staff accepts requests for change in parking option plans, from say short-term to long-term etc. The customer care staff also help ensure the vehicle is ready for pick-up no matter what time of the day it is. The customers are encouraged to share their return dates in advance and any change thereof to the customer care so that the pickup can be arranged in time without any extra wait time for the customer.
TravelCar offers low and affordable parking services. The company charges low parking fees albeit without compromising on the quality of their service. TravelCar has introduced Season Passes for its regular users thus helping them get a further discount on their parking service along with assured parking availability. This service is mostly used by working professionals or students who need to park their car on regular basis near offices and universities. TravelCar’s ease of use and service quality makes it one of the most popular parking service provider in Southampton and the UK.
Parking in the outskirts of Southampton is easy with a lot of open space and available parking area, though the real challenge is finding a parking spot in the downtown area, especially near famous landmarks. TravelCar has strategically tied up with parking area providers near all major sightseeing points, office spaces, and universities, thus providing easy parking for its customers. Now sightseeing can go on without worrying about parking and hefty fees.
Best After Sales Service
TravelCar is one of the most popular parking services in Southampton and the United Kingdom. The company has built its loyal customer base by providing world class service at affordable cost. The secret behind TravelCar’s world-class service is its trained and professional staff who are available 24/7. The company provides parking options to suit everyone’s need and budget and can be booked at the click of a button. The staff at TravelCar ensures that the vehicle is parked with the utmost care and is available for pick-up when required. The safety measures taken at the parking centers are very stringent and provides a sense of trust in the company’s services. Even after the parking service has been booked, TravelCar provides the customers with an option to change their parking plan, say from short-term to long-term or from indoor parking to outdoor parking etc. and either no, or minimal cost. The services once booked, if canceled, are not charged. TravelCar undoubtedly provides the best after-sales service to its customers.