4 Best Sights in Southampton, The South

This museum tells the story of the city's residents—from the earliest settlers through the Romans and Saxons to the present—via artifacts from maritime, local history, archaeology, and archive collections as well as through audiovisual installations. Ships, notably the great clippers, feature prominently, especially in the main exhibition devoted to the impact on the city of the sinking of the Titanic, which departed from here in 1912. An interactive model of the ill-fated ship and a wealth of footage and photos provide insight into the lives of the crew, many of whom were recruited locally.

This 60-room Palladian mansion located on 5,000 acres near the town of Romsey was home to 19th-century British Prime Minister Lord Palmerston and later Earl Mountbatten of Burma (1900–79), uncle of Prince Philip (who spent his honeymoon here with Queen Elizabeth II) and mentor to King Charles III. As the last viceroy of India, Mountbatten was in charge of that country's transition to independence before being killed by the IRA. One of the grandest houses in Hampshire, Broadlands dates back to the 18th century and holds a large collection of antiques, Greek and Roman marbles, and Old Master paintings, including three van Dycks. Landscape designer Capability Brown laid out the grounds, which include wide lawns sweeping down to the banks of the River Test. The only way to see the house is through a one-hour guided tour. There are also regular outdoor concerts on the grounds featuring artists ranging from Elton John to Katie Melua and UB40.

This late 13th-century gatehouse, expanded in the early 14th century at the start of the 100 Years' War to incorporate a two-story gallery and three-story tower, forms the southeast corner of the town's medieval wall. It subsequently became a gunpowder factory, the town jail, and then an archeology museum. After extensive restoration, the gallery space is now used for a changing roster of art installations. Don't miss the far-reaching views over the city from the roof.

This memorial was built to commemorate the departure of the 102 passengers who, on August 15, 1620, left for North America on the Mayflower from the city. A plaque also honors the 2 million U.S. troops who embarked from Southampton for occupied Europe during World War II.