West End
The village of West End is home to a number of shops and some excellent pubs. The most famous destination in the village itself is The Ageas Bowl cricket grounds. Formerly known as The Rose Bowl, The Ageas Bowl was built in 2001 and is the current home of Hampshire County Cricket Club. As well as domestic games, the ground has hosted international cricket including One Day Internationals. Aside from cricket, The Ageas Bowl also includes a 9-hole golf course and the venue has featured a number of live music acts such as Oasis and The Who. West End also borders on Southampton Airport, and the village is an excellent choice if you're planning on travelling in or out of the country via the airport.
Eastleigh
Northwest of West End is Eastleigh; home to several businesses and one of the premiere locations in England for fly-fishing. The best place to learn about the history of the town is to pay a visit to Eastleigh Museum, a welcoming little museum that features a range of exhibitions detailing life in the area during the 1930s. A great place to take the kids in the area is Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway, a miniature railway that runs from Eastleigh Parkway to Monks Brook Halt and back again. If you're looking to catch up with some retail therapy The Swan shopping centre features a selection of high street brands while The Point is a local arts centre with an impressive calendar of theatre, comedy and dance performances.
Southampton
Head south from West End and you'll soon reach the heart of Southampton, Hampshire's largest city. With a history stretching back to the Stone Age, Southampton has a range of historical attractions to discover including the longest surviving stretch of medieval walls in England and Southampton Tudor House and Garden, a museum and Grade I-listed building. The SeaCity Museum is an engaging place to learn about the city's longstanding relationship with the sea, including its connection to the RMS Titanic. Other cultural centres in the city include the Southampton City Art Gallery and the Mayflower Theatre, which is the largest theatre in the south of England outside of London. If you're planning on shopping, the WestQuay centre contains around 150 different shops as well as plenty of restaurants and cafés.
