Oh it truly is the most wonderful time of the year isn’t it. The Christmas lights are going up everywhere, the temperature has dropped and I’ve even spotted a few Christmas jumpers! 

The girls and I recently headed to Southampton for a day filled with festive fun to get us in that Christmas spirit and my goodness it did just that! 

We had the most incredible day from start to finish it was just filled to the brim with festivities! There is so much to do in Southampton all year round but its Christmas in Southampton that really see’s the city come into it’s own – it’s magical! 

We started off our day with a spot of ice skating, as you do!  

Westquay on Ice is located just outside of the Westquay shopping centre, it’s a relatively small ice rink so really good for beginners and children to have some fun on! Alongside the ice rink you will find Westquay’s very own Apline ski lodge bar. It’s super cosy and a great place to either grab a hot chocolate with the kids or joy some mulled wine or Christmas cocktails with friends! 

There are mini chalets too these can be booked for 2 hourly slots. Super cosy and a great place to get together with friends and family over the festive period. 

I’m the most horrid ice skater but we had so much fun, I pushed the girls around on seals and they showed me up with their natural skating abilities. How are kids just so fearless?? 

After skating we took the short walk over to the Southampton Sea City museum. The Sea City Museum tells the story of the people of Southampton, their fascinating lives and historic connections with the sea – including of course the tragic sinking of the Titanic which sailed from Southampton.  

It was amazing, there were so many interactive exhibits to find the kids absolutely loved it, from dressing up to a virtually steering the Titanic there was just so much to see and do.

I feel like we could have spent hours longer diving into each exhibit and discovering more and more. 

Elsie particularly loved the dressing up and wasn’t overly keen to get out of her sailor costume. Lottie was so invested in hearing peoples stories, the girls aren’t too familiar with the history of the Titanic so they were all amazed, at one how that could have happened but just the scale of loss and how it effected the local community.

As I said we could have spent hours and hours in the Sea City Museum it’s fascinating but as our tummies started to rumble there was only one thing for it – PANCAKES! 

So, we made our way to the best pancake house in town – STAKKS!

We couldn’t believe our eyes as we tried to choose from the huge menu of pancakes on offer! from sweet to savoury there was just about everything you could imagine. 

Although it was a tough choice we did just about manage to pick and they didn’t disappoint. Being the chocoholic I am, of course I had to go for the (very appropriately named) chocoholic stakk. Layers of milk and white chocolate with caramel, crushed oreo, maltersers and ice cream on three perfectly fluffy American pancakes – heaven!  

Whilst I’m really not a savoury pancake kind of gal I did try some of James’s ‘ultimate weekender stakk’ and it was so so good, i think i may actually give savoury a try next time I’m in town. 

There really are so many options from chicken and steak to blueberries and nutella! What ever floats your boat if you’re after freshly made delicious pancakes, then this is the place for you! 

Full to the brim we headed out into the Marlands Shopping Centre to do a little shopping before heading into the high street to explore the bustling Christmas Market. with an array of stall holders offering festive treats and locally handmade gifts. I really do try and shop consciously now and support small, local businesses – Christmas markets are always a great place to do that. 

There are also some kids rides and festive inspired bars so really something for all. Thursdays to Sundays there’s also live music to add to the festive atmosphere! 

By the end of the day we were all feeling suitably festive and excited for Christmas. Festive days out like this are truly what makes Christmas for me. It’s not about the gifts it’s about quality family time and enjoying making memories together! 

There is so much to see and do this Christmas in Southampton its definitely worth a visit!