Ocean Village, Southampton (must see)

Ocean Village in Southampton, located at the mouth of the River Itchen, is a vibrant mixed-use development that combines residential, business, and leisure facilities. Originally the site of Southampton's first working docks, the "Outer Dock," which opened in 1842, the area was redeveloped into a marina in 1986. Today, Ocean Village offers a lively atmosphere with a cinema, cafes, wine bars, and restaurants.

The marina, managed by Marina Developments Limited (MDL), boasts 375 berths and can accommodate tall ships and large yachts. It has hosted several major yacht races, including the Global Challenge (1992, 1996, and 2000) and the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in 2011. While it was once home to the Royal Southampton Yacht Club until 2018, it continues to attract maritime enthusiasts and businesses, with offices for companies like PricewaterhouseCoopers housed in its complex.

A historical highlight is Enterprise House, a former dock warehouse now repurposed into serviced offices. Between 1988 and 2010, the LV 78 Calshot Spit lightvessel, a historic lightship built in 1914, was stationed at the marina as a static attraction. The lightship was later moved for restoration and now resides at the Solent Sky Museum.

Ocean Village, with its rich history and ongoing developments, continues to be a key part of Southampton's maritime and social landscape.