SeaCity Museum

About the museum

SeaCity Museum opened on 10 April 2012, the hundredth anniversary of the Titanic leaving Southampton on its first voyage. It occupies the former law court block of Southampton's Civic Centre, a Grade II* listed group of buildings begun in 1929 and designed by the London architect E. Berry Webber in white Portland stone. The Duke of York, later King George VI, laid the foundation stone of the first section in 1930.

The law court block originally held three courtrooms around a barrel-vaulted entrance hall, together with offices, a police station and cells. Many of these features survive, including the ceiling of the main hall, which is now the entrance to the main exhibitions. A glass and stone Pavilion with a jagged outline, meant to recall the prows of ocean liners, was designed by Wilkinson Eyre and added during the conversion for the museum.

The museum draws on Southampton's collections to tell the city's story. Southampton's Titanic Story follows the ship's voyage and sinking through more than 200 objects, recordings of survivors and an interactive model. Gateway to the World covers the city from the Stone Age onwards, and Southampton Stories, which now fills the Pavilion, looks at the city's people, port and daily life. The museum is run by Southampton City Council with its other cultural venues.

Highlights

• Southampton's Titanic Story with over 200 objects and survivor recordings
• Crew Wall showing the ship's 897 crew, most of whom gave a Southampton address
• Interactive 1:25 model of the Titanic
• Gateway to the World, from a Saxon burial to a hoard of Roman coins
• Southampton Stories in the Wilkinson Eyre Pavilion
• Galley Café in the historic building

Permanent exhibitions

• Southampton's Titanic Story – Follows the Titanic's voyage and sinking from Southampton, with over 200 objects, survivor recordings and an interactive model of the ship.
• Gateway to the World – Explores Southampton as a place of arrival and departure from the Stone Age to the present, with archaeological finds, ship models and an interactive map.
• Southampton Stories – Stories of the city's people and events drawn from the museum collections, covering wartime, sport, shipping, the docks and community groups.

Founded

2012

Operated by

Southampton City Council

Admission & discounts

Tickets booked in advance online are 10 percent cheaper than tickets bought on the day. A ticket allows re-entry for a full year on showing the receipt; annual passes are currently offered at the same price as a day ticket. Tickets are non-refundable. Gift vouchers are sold at the front desk.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

All areas except the clock tower are step-free, and a lift serves the first floor, although only four wheelchair users can be upstairs at once for fire safety reasons. Some doors in the listed building may be narrow for large electric wheelchairs. A limited number of wheelchairs can be borrowed at the front desk. Accessible toilets are on the ground and first floors; the first-floor one is behind a security door that staff unlock. There is no Changing Places toilet. Assistance dogs are welcome and large-print guides are available at the front desk. Several Blue Badge bays are nearby, the closest on Marlands Road, and there is a drop-off bay outside. A visual guide for planning a visit can be downloaded.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

Interactive displays include an engine room and passenger costumes to try on. Half-term and holiday activities, workshops and toddler sessions are run across the council's museums. Birthday parties for ages 4 to 11 start at 250 pounds for 15 children, with history or art workshops. Buggies are welcome throughout and there is a buggy park on the ground floor. Baby changing is on the ground floor.

Getting there & parking

The entrance is beneath the historic clock tower on Havelock Road, opposite BBC South. Bicycle racks are outside the museum. what3words: narrow.buyers.record.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Wi-Fi

The museum's Galley Café says it has good Wi-Fi. The café serves barista-style drinks, cakes, sandwiches and hot lunches, and can be used without a museum ticket. The shop opposite the café sells Titanic gifts, books and models. Bags larger than 56 x 25 x 45 cm and wheeled luggage are not allowed in the galleries and can be left at the front desk for 3 pounds per item.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 500 guests.

Spaces for weddings, ceremonies, conferences and events, including a glass-roofed atrium and the Grand Hall, with capacities from 40 to 500 guests. The Grand Hall can be hired from 17:00 for up to 120 people standing.

Plan your visit