Premier Inn Southampton West

The Rose Bowl

by iwys

The Rose Bowl is the new stadium for Hampshire County Cricket Club. It's also used for some international matches. It is one of the biggest cricket grounds in the country, with a capacity of 25,000 and a lovely setting, surrounded by green hills. In 2010 it hosted England internationals v Australia and Pakistan, and it 2011 it will be the venue for a test match v Sri Lanka.

Hampshire CCC are in the top divisions of the County Championship. They won the T20 Trophy in 2010, the Friends Provident Trophy in 2009, the C&G Trophy in 1991 and 2005, the Benson & Hedges Cup in 1988 and 1992, the 1-Day League Championship in 1975, 1978 and 1986, and the County Championship in 1961 and 1973. They are currently one of the strongest teams in the country and expected to win more honours in 2011. Famous players have included Barry Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Andy Roberts, Malcolm Marshall and possibly the greatest bowler of all-time, Shane Warne.

Matches are played from mid-April through to late September. Tickets for county matches cost £15 per day, while England games cost around £50. Car parking costs £8. For England games there is a free park-and-ride scheme. Take warm clothes as, even in summer, there is a cold wind swirling around inside the bowl.

Westgate

by iwys

Westgate leads to West Quay, which for centuries was where most commercial goods arrived in the city. Henry V's troops marched through here before embarking for the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 and the Pilgrim Fathers passed through here before sailing for America in 1620.

Southampton

by emuugee

"The Big Ships are Back"

When I first came to Southampton I expected to see sailors with duffle-bags and parrots, with seagulls flying round and big ships sounding their sirens at the end of the road. Sadly, I was disappointed.
But recently the romance has returned. As I lie in bed I hear those siren sounds of liners as they slip from port on the late tide, heading for exotic locations.
There has been a recent upsurge in the cruising market, so new liners are being built; and a great many will sailing out of Southampton. The new Queen Mary 2 will return to Southampton from her maiden voyage on April 12th, then on May 1st will depart again with the QE2, both heading for New York.
Now where did I put that parrot?!