How it rates

The south coast's largest city sits at the top end of Southampton Water, just north of the Isle of Wight. A major medieval port, it turned to shipbuilding during the Industrial Revolution. In the 20thcentury the port became the main embarkation point for cruise ships. Unlike most UK ports, the city has retained much of its dockland industry and is the biggest freight port in the Channel.

Architectural Gems

The medieval city walls are the highlight. The impressive Bargate dates from 1180, with additions in the 13th and 15th centuries. The 15th-century Catchcold Tower and Arcade run down to Blue Anchor Postern, close to Blue Anchor Lane's heavily beamed Tudor House. St Michael's Church has a black Tournai marble font from 1170 and the Norman House is an excellent example of a 12th century merchant's home.

What's new

Inner Circle Homes is building The Crescent Apartments: 88 studio, one and two-bedroom flats on Royal Crescent Road, from £135,000 (02380 488760). The Governor's Quartet is a development of four-bed townhouses on Bassett Crescent East by A&B Homes. There are two left, one at £399,950 and one at £425,000 (02380 228822).

Travel

The M3, M27 and A34 are the road links to the rest of the country. Trains to London take 1hr20min. The popular little airport has flights to major European business and holiday destinations.

Quality of life

Fairly good. The city is full of bars and clubs, making it popular with the 18-30 age bracket. Easy access to the New Forest and the south coast beaches make it easy to escape the city, which can have an oppressive industrial feel.

Population

The city's population was last estimated to be 228,600 in 2006. The largest age group is of 20-29 year-olds; the 53,600 total is boosted by the 41,000 student population.

Smartest streets

The best area is Chilworth, where large detached homes go for between £1 million and £2 million. Highfield has a village feel yet is in the city centre. Bassett, on the north side of the city, is popular for its good road and rail access.

Restaurants

The White Star Tavern is a relaxed hotel with a brilliant dining room that serves modern European food; the lobster linguini comes highly recommended. La Margherita is a popular Italian by the marina.

Nightlife

The Duke of Wellington is a lovely old beamed pub by the Tudor House. The Guildhall and Central Hall are best for classical music and The Mayflower Theatre specialises in musicals.

Education

There are two universities: the University of Southampton and Southampton Solent University. The National Oceanography Centre makes it one of the best places in the UK for marine biology students. The Good Schools Guide rates Twyford School highly; it's an independent co-ed school ten miles northeast of Southampton.

Working Life

The largest sectors are health and employment with 27 per cent, property and business with 20 per cent and retail and wholesale with 16 per cent. Unemployment is 2.3 per cent, just above the national average.

Upside

The City Art Gallery has a good collection that includes Lowry, Spencer and Sutherland. The Howard's Way Cruise is impressive for those wanting to see a working port in action. The port has an unusually long high tide, thanks to the working of the tides in the Solent, which allows large ships excellent access to the harbour.

Downside

The port's maritime importance made it a primary target for bombing in Second World War; in the 1950s and 1960s regeneration the cityscape was blotted with concrete monstrosities.

At a glance

£212,633

The average property price in Southampton

The decrease in property prices in Southampton over the past year

173%

The increase in property prices in Southampton over the past ten years

Source: Halifax

680 acres

The area covered by Southampton's docklands

Source: Solent Forum

1912

The year the Titanic set sail

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