Local area
Southampton is known as the cruise capital of the UK, with its famous port home to some of the world’s most prestigious luxury cruise ships. Southampton and the nearby New Forest are both popular destinations, thanks to their fascinating histories, large green spaces and regular cultural events.
Shirley is also renowned for its shopping, with many national retailers, as well as independent shops, local restaurants and cafes and half a dozen pubs. A local market takes place every Thursday from 9am-4pm. For a touch of nature, there is the 5-acre St James Park, which has just been awarded a Green Flag Award for one of the best green spaces in the country.
Just a short bus journey away, the Southampton City Art Gallery has a renowned selection of art spanning the last 600 years, and the Mayflower Theatre has hosted a number of West End shows. Music fans will be able to enjoy concerts of all genres at both the Mayflower and the renowned Guildhall.
Shirley is also easily accessible by public transport – a bus offers frequent services from High Street to the Southampton city centre and the West Quay Shopping Centre, while Millbrook train station is just on the other side of town and runs from Salisbury to Romsey.