Aug 28
Southampton, is our first stop on the cruise, just a short distance from Rotterdam across the English channel. It is noted for its association with the RMS Titanic, although built in Belfast, Ireland, it made it's fateful inaugural embarkation from here; the Spitfire airplane, a British single-seat fighter aircraft used by the Royal Air Force and other Allied countries before, during and after World War II, was constructed here; more generally in the World War II narrative, it was one of the departure points for D-Day; and most recently as the home port of a number of the largest cruise ships in the world. Southampton's tradition of luxury cruising began in the 1840s, one of the pioneers being P&O who advertised tours to Egypt
The area has been inhabited since the stone age. Stonehenge is only 33 miles away. The city is home to the longest surviving stretch of medieval walls in England, and St. Michael's Church, built in 1070, is the oldest building in the city.
Much of the city was destroyed during WWII.
The centre of Southampton is located above a large hot water aquifer that provides geothermal power to some of the city's buildings. It has the only geothermal power station in the UK.
