Europe
United Kingdom (UK)
England
Hampshire
Southampton
Things to Do in Southampton
Civic Centre
See all things to do

Civic Centre

See all things to do
See all things to do
Civic Centre
3
What people are saying
Michael B
By Michael B
“Not a very attractive building from the outside, but located in the center of everything.”
Dec 2019
The civic Center was designed in the Classical style by the English architect Ernest Berry Webber in 1929, with the Duke of York laying the foundation stone the following year, but unfortunately it took ten years to finish the City Council offices, Sea City Museum, Guildhall, Art Gallery, and the city library. The Clock tower is 156 feet tall and to climb to the top is 215 steps but it gives you a great view of the harbour. The whole building is faced with Portland stone giving it a more formal look. During WWII a 500lb high explosive bomb penetrated to the lower floors of the art gallery killing 35 people, including 15 children, who were having an art lesson in the basement. TIP: Great place to park your car to visit the many bars & restaurants, or start a shopping trip from. Thanks for reading. would appreciate a thumbs up if you’ve found this helpful.
“Clock House visit”
Jun 2019
For great views (and photo opportunities) this visit climbing the 215 steps of the clock tower above the Civic Centre is a real experience to get a birds’ eye view of Southampton. The ascent is gentle, taking each level with a stop in between and reaching the top where the chiming bells are immediately overhead.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
625 within 3 miles
Blue Island
862
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Greek • Vegetarian Friendly
The Mayflower Village
297
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Bar • British
Turtle Bay - Southampton
4,137
518 ft$$ - $$$ • Caribbean • Bar • Jamaican
Soleto
878
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
Piccolo Mondo
751
260 ft$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • European
La Tavernetta
758
306 ft$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean
Mango Thai Tapas Above Bar
525
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly
Tim's Bistro
405
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • French • Seafood • British
Carluccio's - Southampton
575
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • European
Mexifun
228
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Mexican • Latin • Spanish
See all
Attractions
123 within 6 miles
Southampton City Art Gallery
233
0.1 miArt Galleries
SeaCity Museum
1,539
0.1 miSpeciality Museums
Palmerston Park
43
440 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
John Hansard Gallery
12
0.1 miArt Galleries
Southampton City Council
5
375 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Mayflower Theatre
2,393
0.2 miTheaters
Solent Showcase
3
0.2 miArt Galleries
Titanic Engineer Officers Memorial
150
0.2 miMonuments & Statues
Watts Park
34
0.2 miParks
Westquay Shopping Centre
475
0.3 miShopping Malls
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
3.0
21 reviews
Excellent
2
Very good
6
Average
7
Poor
3
Terrible
3
Michael B
Bellflower, CA24,050 contributions
Not a very attractive building from the outside, but located in the center of everything.
Dec 2019
The civic Center was designed in the Classical style by the English architect Ernest Berry Webber in 1929, with the Duke of York laying the foundation stone the following year, but unfortunately it took ten years to finish the City Council offices, Sea City Museum, Guildhall, Art Gallery, and the city library.
The Clock tower is 156 feet tall and to climb to the top is 215 steps but it gives you a great view of the harbour. The whole building is faced with Portland stone giving it a more formal look. During WWII a 500lb high explosive bomb penetrated to the lower floors of the art gallery killing 35 people, including 15 children, who were having an art lesson in the basement.

TIP: Great place to park your car to visit the many bars & restaurants, or start a shopping trip from.
Thanks for reading. would appreciate a thumbs up if you’ve found this helpful.
Written November 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nigel P
Southampton, UK115 contributions
Jet wash it
Jan 2017 • Solo
The civic centre is grubby looking , but the new paved square is all shiny and brand new, they should make the people doing community service jet wash the stone work etcetera, the building is pretty impressive but covered in black grime, councils don't often think things like .. With a couple of coats of paint.. That's gonna come up like brand new, it's only gonna cost a grand... (thousand pounds)max, they say oh! It's old and grubby now, lets spend millions (just for knocking it down) then millions more building something we've already got!! I shouldn't think they are going to knocked the civic centre down, but they don't use logic to often! They have events quite often, the civic centre used to \ or still does have things like the record fair and things like that, although it could be cleaner.. It's still well worth a visit
Written February 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jane C
Southampton, United Kingdom4,656 contributions
Bits for the tourist
Jul 2014 • Family
Yes this is a stark building complex built minimally after heavy bombing in WWII. It is functional and central for those that live in Southampton.
For the tourist here there is a wonderful Sea City Museum located to the west of the complex with a good cafe and nautical shop (see review). To the north opposite Watts Park (see review) and next to a good library is the Art Gallery (see reviews) Free with an eclectic collection of old and new. How good it is depends on the current exhibition. To the East is the O2 Guildhall (see review) where many public functions and concerts take place. In front of O2 is Guildhall square where many open air activities take place. This is the hub of the cultural quarter.
Written July 23, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
aaaandrew
Southampton, UK8 contributions
family shopping trip
Jul 2012
full of polish immigrants, felt i was in poland with the amount of them in the citie.
Written July 21, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bobwinmill
Eastleigh, UK86 contributions
very imposing from the outside.
Jun 2011 • Friends
at the moment, the civic centre is undergoing major rebuilding works and the addition of the new sea museum at the site of the old police station. the whole structure completed in the late 30's is very imposing from the outside and indeed as one enters the main reception area, that too cannot fail to impress. the guildhall, which is part of the same complex, again is very impressive from the outside. however, that is where it ends. the guildhall, where they have many top rock bands, solo singers, comedians and various other acts, is becoming very shabby indeed. they have 2 bars that charge exorbitant prices for not a very good selection of drinks and snacks. in summing up, it could do with a great deal of money being spent on it (current financial climate not withstanding) and then perhaps it could be a venue worth visiting.
Written July 21, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MrMMiah
Larnaca, Cyprus73 contributions
For The Tourist...
Nov 2014 • Friends
This place is a great place to get dropped off via public transport and I would recommend that you leave the car at home.

There are lots of Bars & good restaurants from Sandwiches to Thai Tapas. Also its the starting point of a shopping trip.

Thats about all I'm going to write. I'm going to bore you with the amount of dodgy paving stones in the area give you authentic the experience of walking in mine field. On a rainy day! Lol
Written November 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ray R
Ower, UK162 contributions
The Art Gallery is a treasure house
Apr 2011 • Friends
The civic centre is undergoing a major refurbishment at present so it is not at its best. But I would recommend heading for the Art Gallery. It is not huge but has a great selection of work from Burne Jones to Impressionists to Lowry. A bit of something for everyone – and admission is free.
Written November 25, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
flyingscotsman2
Brighton, UK168 contributions
Nothing to see here.
Nov 2011 • Business
It's just dull, frankly. Lacking soul. I can't think of any redeeming factors.
Written November 8, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Moira W
Southampton, UK18 contributions
Clock House visit
Jun 2019 • Friends
For great views (and photo opportunities) this visit climbing the 215 steps of the clock tower above the Civic Centre is a real experience to get a birds’ eye view of Southampton.
The ascent is gentle, taking each level with a stop in between and reaching the top where the chiming bells are immediately overhead.
Written June 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Venus B
2 contributions
CarD
Apr 2019 • Solo
Lady’s are very unorganised, taking a very long
Time to deal with my card. I will snort my nans ashes in a minute.
Written April 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2
Showing results 1-10 of 18
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing

Civic Centre (Southampton) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Civic Centre