Millbrook is a suburb of Southampton and the wards it contains have an interesting history, much of it based around transport. You can wander around some of the docks to marvel at the huge cruise ships that dock here.
Another great day out is to take your hire car to the New Forest, less than fifteen minutes from Millbrook. There you’ll find open moorland, forests, especially beautiful in autumn and the delightful New Forest ponies. Back in town, visit the aviation museum which celebrates the inception and building of the Supermarine Spitfire here in World War II.
Southampton Millbrook Mini Guide
What’s the Story of Millbrook?
Millbrook today is a suburb of Southampton which includes the wards of Redbridge, Regents Park and Freemantle. The suburb is mainly comprised of social housing and some commercial areas. Within Millbrook there are numerous places of interest including the old British American Tobacco factory, now mostly disused but still standing as a reminder of the commercial nature of the city. Today, smaller industries have sprung up in the area, many reliant on the commercial docks nearby on Southampton Water. There was once a busy shipbuilding yard here making ships for the Royal Navy but the docks have long gone.
How Easy is it to get to Millbrook?
You can fly into Southampton Airport
near Eastleigh, just out of the city. From here it’s a short trip along the M27 and down the M271. Buses operate from the airport to the city centre passing by Millbrook and taxis are another good alternative.
What is There to see and do Around Millbrook?
There’s not a lot to occupy the visitor staying in Millbrook itself but of interest are the remains of the Andover Canal and the Sprat and Winkle railway. The canal’s terminus was at Redbridge and after its closure, a section was used for the Sprat and Winkle railway line. Today some evidence of each remains and can be accessed by following the Test Valley long distance path.
Also at Redbridge you’ll find the old five arch medieval bridge now overshadowed by the huge new bridge that crosses the river nearby. Outside of Millbrook you have quick and easy access to the New Forest, the ancient hunting grounds of royalty and Rufus Stone where William Rufus was assassinated.
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