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Explore the old and the new on England’s south coast
In the centre of town, the medieval Bargate sits in the middle of a large modern shopping centre, perfectly illustrating the charm of a place where echoes of the past still linger among shiny new developments. It’s no surprise, then, that there are many museums to explore, including the Museum of Archaeology, which houses a treasure trove, and the restored 14th century Medieval Merchant’s House. Many of the restaurants in Southampton city centre are institutions in their own right, having served the local community for decades, while inventive new establishments have sprung up alongside them, bringing something new to the area’s dining scene.