From green spaces, to restaurants, and everything in between

There’s so much to explore! Whether you’re looking for cozy cafes to study, parks to relax, or local spots to hang out, we’ve got you covered.

Sat right by the cultural quarter, here’s a quick guide to your new neighbourhood.

Green Spaces

📍 East Park: also known as Andrews Park, has a rich Victorian heritage and is now home to beautiful plants, ponds and wildlife. There's also a café, mini golf course and even a hard court games area. 

📍West Park: also known as Watts Park named after the Isaac Watts monument (one of the city's most famous sons who was a writer and philosopher), is a much smaller patch of greenery than East Park but is home to the Cenotaph and Enclosure sculpture. 

📍Palmerston Park: one of the most seen central parks, this spot is the only point where the parks actually meet the busy Above Bar street.

Connecting to Palmerston Park, head across the road and into Houndwell Park and Hoglands Park too. There's so many green spaces to choose from that surround Mayflower halls. 

Further afield...

📍Bournemouth: an hour away by train, Bournemouth is a great day out whether you want to relax or have some fun and is known for its beautiful beaches. If you're up for travelling another hour from Bournemouth, it's also worth visiting Durdle Door which is another scenic getaway.

📍Brighton: another city known for its seaside and beaches, you can get to Brighton in a couple of hours by train. Make sure to take a stroll along the pier, labeled the 'biggest attraction in the South East'!

📍The Isle of Wight: close on the ferry, it is perfect for a sunny day trip. Do not miss historic sites like Osborne House and the Needles.

📍Brockenhurst: looking for a shorter train journey? Only half an hour away, you can visit the New Forest in the small village of Brockenhurst which is a great place for hiking – see if you can spot any ponies, donkeys or cows along the way.

Restaurants and Cafés

📍 Mi Rice: a small restaurant available for sit in and takeout, known for it's soup noodles, stir fries and stone rice bowls. Located right next to the Mayflower theatre, this is the perfect stop-off spot before a show. 

📍Turtle Bay: looking for cheap cocktails and Caribbean-style dishes? This is the place to be! If you're looking for weekend plans with friends, take a look at their Bottomless Brunch option too.

📍Piccolo Mondo: a cute Italian that boasts authentic dishes using the freshest ingredients, from classic spaghetti carbonara to the chef's special pizza. 

📍The Mayflower Village: a go-to pub just minutes away with a menu for everyone's cravings, including plenty of veggie options too. Don't forget to try their classic fish and chips and enjoy a drink in the beer garden. 

📍Papillon: built in 1845, this restaurant sits in a renovated church and, even though it's a little pricier than the others, offers a sophisticated menu with plenty of options and a tasty Sunday roast – not to mention live music too! 

Entertainment

📍Seacity Museum: discover Southampton maritime history, including its connection to the Titanic – students can get 10% discount on entry as long as you remember your ID.

📍Mayflower Theatre: head here to see popular West End musicals, ballets, comedy shops and dance productions, all just around the corner from Mayflower halls.

📍Showcase Cinema: see the latest blockbusters on the big screen with Showcase, they have plenty of offers on like tickets from £4.99 on Mondays and a special student offer on Sundays. 

📍1st Base: perfect your swing with indoor baseball that has virtual reality tracking technology. Not interested in baseball? They've also got shuffleboard, ping-pong, basketball and foosball. 

📍 Karaoke night: Sing away at ones of these venues hosting karaoke nights: The Bedford, Medbar, Shanghai 1814, Oasis Bar, The Lion, Boom Battle Bar, The Stags.

These are just a few of our favourite - there are so many places to explore.

If you've found your favourite place in Southampton - let us know in our Halls Life suggestion box!