Whether lured here by the many maritime attractions, or doing business in this thriving place, we have numerous conveniently located branches. At the airport, at West Quay Industrial estate and in the heart of the city, you’ll soon be able to get to where you need to be.

It’s a well-connected city, as you’d expect from a place with a storied trading past as a key port. The M3 is one of the key routes here, leading north-east out of the city to Winchester, Basingstoke and on into the very heart of London.

The final stretch of the M27 leads west out of Southampton to the A31, bisecting the New Forest National Park. After it emerges, you can take the A338 south for Bournemouth and Poole, or head deeper west into Dorset and, eventually, Devon. That same M27 also goes east, to Portsmouth.

One of the must-see buildings in the country is just an hour’s drive to the north-west. Drive north-west along the A36 to Salisbury and its grand and imposing cathedral. Originally built in the 13^th century it has Britain’s tallest church spire, the most intact original of Magna Carta and a 14^th century clock.

Parking rules and restrictions are the same as in many UK towns and cities. Make parking easier by checking out the local government’s comprehensive online guide to parking zones, garages and car parks.

Southampton is a pleasant surprise to many visitors. You might not expect much of one of Europe’s busiest ports but this is a city with plenty of splashes of green, with large, leafy parks leading right down to the waterfront. There’s also great shopping and proximity to some of the prettiest parts of the south coast.

Catch the maritime flavour

The best spot to soak up Southampton’s links with the sea is at the modern SeaCity Museum, which is housed in the old court building. This state-of-the-art collection uses interactive experiences to tell the story of Southampton’s seafaring history, including its moving connection with the ill-fated Titanic. There’s a 1:25 scale model of it to really bring it to life.

Drive seven miles west to Buckler’s Hard on the banks of the picturesque Beaulieu River and discover how skilled shipwrights built Lord Nelson’s warships in this scenic spot.

Shopping city

Southampton has a huge shopping centre – the waterfront WestQuay. You’ll find a cinema and bowling alley on site, plus dozens of cafes and restaurants. Southampton is a major shopping hub for the south coast and offers all types of retail therapy for visitors, from the two indoor malls to quirky independent boutiques and designer stores. And, if you’re looking for even more opportunity to hunt for bargains, the city hosts a lively range of markets too, including farmers’ and Christmas markets.

Explore the old New Forest

The ancient woods and common grazing land of the New Forest lie just to the west and north of Southampton. The forest is easy to find if you’ve got a hire car and is perfect for a relaxing stroll and fresh air. If you’re driving, watch out for ponies wandering free in the leafy lanes and try not to be distracted by the pretty thatched cottages nestled between the trees.

Beautiful Beaulieu

Just half an hour’s drive to the west is the idyllic village of Beaulieu (pronounced Bewlee). You’ll be able visit the medieval abbey, the gothic Palace House mansion and gardens, and the area’s major attraction - the National Motor Museum. This is more than just an internationally acclaimed collection of cars, there’s a monorail, kids’ play park and World of Top Gear museum too.

Back in the city, head for the Tudor House & Garden. The timber-framed construction dates back to the 15^th century, but from the garden you’ll also be able to access King John’s Palace, which is 300 years older. As well as interactive displays, there are also a series of objects that tell the story of over 800 years of history.

The Wight stuff

A short ferry ride across the Solent is Britain’s biggest island, the Isle of Wight. It’s packed with things to see and do, including Queen Victoria’s favourite seaside residence Osborne House, the seafaring atmosphere of national yachting capital Cowes and the memorable views of the white chalk sea stacks called The Needles. There are plenty of great sandy beaches around the island too.