Southampton Boat Show – Local Insider’s Guide

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The Southampton Boat Show is an annual highlight in the vibrant port city of Southampton, Hampshire, UK. Living nearby, I’ve been to the show many times and would like to share some local insider knowledge with you: how to get there, where to park, where to stay, and the best spots to eat and drink while you’re in town.

2025 Show Dates

📅 19 – 28 September 2025
🕙 Open daily 10:00 – 18:00 (final Sunday closes early at 16:00).

Venue & Entrance

This year’s show is focused on a smaller area: just the main Mayflower Park site and adjacent marina (the raised walkways are gone 🎉).

southampton boat show map

  • Entrance: near the roundabout between Herbert Walker Avenue and Town Quay.

  • Satnav postcode: SO14 2AS (although you cannot park here).

  • Coordinates: 50.8981787, -1.4077170

  • What3Words: ///laser.stuff.target

Tickets & Prices

🎟️ Tickets for the Southampton Boat Show are always cheaper if you buy online in advance. Prices at the gate are higher, and the organisers have raised them in recent years, so it pays to plan ahead.

  • Advance tickets (2025): £29.00 Mon-Thurs / £33.00 Fri-Sun

  • On the gate: £32.00 Mon-Thurs / £39.00 Fri-Sun

💡 Insider tip: Use discount code ICOMUK when booking online for any day tickets at £19.99. (correct at time of writing).

Children 15 and under are usually free with a paying adult, but do check the official site for the latest details.

👉 You can buy advance tickets directly from the official Southampton Boat Show website.

Getting There

🚆 Train

Southampton Central station is about 1 mile (flat walk) from the show.

  • Direct trains run from London Waterloo, Portsmouth, and Weymouth.

  • From the station’s South entrance, follow this route:

    Cross over the road at the padestrian crossing by the footbridge → walk straight ahead past the old Toys R Us → through the car park by Furniture Village → around Decathlon → past Premier Inn → keep The Quays swimming pool and Grand Harbour Hotel on your left → cross the roundabout to reach the entrance.

  • Taxis are readily available outside the station.

🚌 Coach

The National Express Coach Station is about ¾ mile from the entrance.
📍 Harbour Parade, Southampton SO15 1BA

🚗 Car

From the M3 or M27, follow the AA yellow event signs from J3 of the M27.

🚫 No park & ride scheme this year.

Parking (Local Tips)

Southampton has ~10,000 parking spaces, but with ~100,000 visitors over the 10 days, here’s my tried-and-tested advice:

  • ✅ Best choice: West Quay Multi-Storey – very close to the entrance. All-day parking currently £5. (What3Words: ///hits.token.bunny). I’ve never had an issue finding a spot here on show days. Take a ticket and pay at a paypoint before you leave.

  • West Quay Podium – £5.50 for 5 hours.

  • NCP Portland Terrace – advertised £5 if booked online, but I was quoted £10 when I tried to book in advance.

  • ❌ Avoid: Cruise car parks and Triangle Car Park (expensive).

Where to Stay

Hotels close to the Boat Show fill up quickly (and cruise ships push demand higher), so book early.

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Harbour Hotel – striking “superyacht-shaped” building overlooking Ocean Village Marina.

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Leonardo Royal Hotel Grand Harbour – right next to the showground.

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Voco Southampton – a stone’s throw from the entrance.

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Moxy – opposite West Quay cinema.

  • ⭐⭐⭐ Premier Inn – on West Quay Road.

💡 Budget options: Novotel, Ibis, or stay just outside Southampton in towns like Romsey (a lovely market town with Broadlands Estate).

Where to Eat & Drink

  • Inside the show: Plenty of food outlets, but prices are on the higher side.

  • Local tip: Try the Mayflower Park Kiosk (inside the showground, backing onto Town Quay road) – fair prices and good coffee/snacks.

  • Co-op (next to Premier Inn, Harbour Parade) is handy if you want to grab sandwiches to take in.

  • ❗ No re-entry policy – once you leave, you can’t come back in.

Nearby dining:

  • West Quay Shopping Centre – 90+ stores and a large food court (2 minutes’ walk).

  • West Quay Watermark complex – restaurants and cinema right next to the showground.

  • Oxford Street – lively bars & restaurants (my personal favourite).

  • Ocean Village – 15 minutes’ walk, sit outside overlooking the marina if it’s sunny.

Extra Tip: Southampton FC

On Saturday 27th September, Southampton FC play Middlesbrough at St Mary’s (kick-off 15:00). Expect extra crowds, traffic, and busy trains – plan your journey accordingly.

Explore Southampton Beyond the Boat Show

If you have a little extra time in the city, Southampton is well worth exploring. Catch a performance at the Mayflower Theatre, or head to the Cultural Quarter for galleries and live events. Down at Ocean Village, you’ll find the independent Harbour Lights cinema overlooking the marina –  perfect for a relaxed evening. History lovers can walk the remains of the old Southampton walls or visit the SeaCity Museum to learn about the city’s maritime past including RMS Titanic.

Thanks for reading my local’s guide to the Southampton Boat Show. If you found it helpful, please share it with friends or fellow sailors heading to the show – it really helps spread the word (sharing widgets at the bottom of the page). Southampton is a city I know well, and it’s always a pleasure to see it come alive with sailors and boat lovers from all over for the 10-day duration.

If you’re looking to meet fellow sailing enthusiasts beyond the show, you’ll also find a warm welcome on Lovesail.com – our friendly community for sailors, boaters, and crew.

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