At Southampton Tours, we specialise in private tours from Southampton that go beyond the standard tourist routes. As a local Southampton guide, we know exactly where to take you to experience hidden gems and off-the-beaten-track locations that most visitors — and large tour operators — never see.

We’re genuinely passionate about delivering exceptional service and always strive to go the extra mile. Our guests consistently tell us that our enthusiasm, attention to detail, and personal approach make all the difference. We love what we do, and we enjoy meeting people from all over the world on our private shore excursions from Southampton.

Private Tours Designed Around You

Flexibility is at the heart of our private guided tours from Southampton. Some guests prefer a slow, relaxed pace, taking time to soak up the atmosphere, while others want to maximise their day and visit as many locations as possible.

Because every traveller is different, we work closely with you before and during your tour to tailor the pace, route, and experience — ensuring your private Southampton tour is truly memorable, whether you’re visiting on a cruise or staying locally.

Cruise line tours are often significantly more expensive, especially for families and groups. For parties of four or more, we can usually arrange a private shore excursion from Southampton at a lower cost than a standard cruise line tour — without compromising on quality or peace of mind.

As a locally owned company with 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor, we pride ourselves on providing reliable, professional service. Our private Southampton shore excursions are carefully timed around your cruise schedule, with a guaranteed return to your ship, allowing you to explore with confidence. You’ll enjoy the added benefits of a dedicated local guide, flexible itineraries, and personal attention throughout the day.

We are fully focused on delivering exceptional, high-quality private excursions from Southampton. Our tours are designed to offer a more personal and rewarding experience than standard cruise line excursions, which often operate with groups of 50 people or more.

In contrast, we specialise in private Southampton shore excursions, with a maximum of eight guests per guide. This small-group approach allows for greater flexibility, individual attention, and a more relaxed pace — resulting in a far more enjoyable and memorable day ashore.

We are committed to offering the best private tours from Southampton at excellent value, combining expert local knowledge, outstanding service, and competitive pricing. When you travel with us, you can be confident that your excursion has been carefully crafted to ensure you make the most of your time in England.

We are highly experienced in operating shore excursions from Southampton and have an excellent on-time record — we have never had a guest miss their ship.

In the extremely unlikely event that a delay on one of our tours causes you to miss your cruise departure, we will take full responsibility. We will arrange and pay for your accommodation, meals, and transportation to the next port of call, ensuring you are looked after every step of the way.

This commitment allows you to explore with complete confidence, knowing your private Southampton shore excursion is planned with your cruise schedule as the top priority.

Booking a private tour from Southampton with Southampton Tours gives you the freedom to visit your chosen destinations — including Stonehenge and Bath — at your own pace, with the benefit of expert local advice and guidance when planning your trip.

Every private Southampton shore excursion is carefully tailored to your interests, schedule, and travel style, ensuring a relaxed, well-organised, and memorable experience from start to finish.

All of our tours are led by a local Southampton guide, and we specialise in delivering private tours from Southampton that showcase the very best of southern England. Because our guides live locally, they know where to go, when to go, and how to avoid the crowds — sharing stories and places that only a true local would know.

Meet Ian – Your Local Southampton Guide

Southampton Tours is owned and run by Ian, a highly experienced local Southampton guide who has lived and worked in southern England for many years. During this time, he has discovered countless hidden gems, fascinating locations, and local stories that bring each destination to life — and he loves sharing them on our private guided tours from Southampton.

Ian has also travelled extensively, living and working in several countries around the world and experiencing a wide range of cultures. He previously worked as a tour operator for Audley Travel, one of the world’s most discerning travel companies, giving him a deep understanding of how to deliver exceptional, high-quality travel experiences.

Private Tours From Southampton — At the Right Pace

Ian believes that the best private Southampton tours aren’t about rushing from place to place just to tick off landmarks. While visiting famous sites is part of the experience, the real difference lies in the pace, comfort, and enjoyment of the day.

Our private tours from Southampton cruise port are relaxed and unhurried. We won’t rush you around feeling stressed. Instead, we tailor each tour to your preferred pace, giving you time to truly enjoy each village, landmark, and landscape along the way.

Personal Southampton Shore Excursions You’ll Remember

Many guests enjoy the opportunity to tour with Ian himself. As the business owner and a passionate local Southampton guide, he’s full of interesting stories and personal experiences — including how he once cycled all the way from London to Cape Town.

Ian genuinely wants every guest to have a wonderful time. That’s why he works hard to deliver high-quality private Southampton shore excursions, always going the extra mile to ensure your day is memorable, relaxed, and perfectly tailored to you.

Where We Offer Tours in Southern England

We provide private guided tours from Southampton across a wide range of destinations throughout southern England. Our tours are led by experienced local guides and can be fully tailored to suit cruise passengers, day-trippers, couples, families, and small groups.

Below are just some of the places we visit and tours we offer, with links available for more detailed information on each destination.

Popular Destinations & Highlights

• Stonehenge & Avebury Stone Circle

• Bath & Roman Britain

• Oxford & Blenheim Palace

• Stratford-upon-Avon

• Salisbury & Salisbury Cathedral

• Warwick Castle

• The New Forest National Park

The Cotswolds — Our Speciality

• Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

• Bourton-on-the-Water

• Stow-on-the-Wold

• Lower Slaughter

• Bibury & Arlington Row

• Burford & Broadway Tower

• Minster Lovell

• Snowshill Village

• Cotswold hidden places & secret locations

• Cotswold film & TV locations (including Downton Abbey filming sites)

Gardens, Estates & Attractions

• Highgrove House

• Hidcote Manor Garden

• Painswick Rococo Garden

• Westonbirt Arboretum

• Batsford Arboretum

• Sudeley Castle

• Cotswolds Farm Park

• Cotswolds Water Park

Food, Drink & Local Experiences

• Traditional pub lunches

• England’s oldest inns

• Cotswolds cream teas

• Hufkins Tea Rooms

• Hook Norton Brewery

• Vintage buffet lunches

Tour Types

• Private tours from Southampton

• Southampton cruise shore excursions

• Small group tours from Oxford

• Tours from London

• Cotswold day trips & sightseeing tours