From festivals to flowers, there's so much to do in and around Southampton this weekend.
Commemorate D-Day aboard SS Shieldhall, attend a music or arts festival, see some of the world's most beautiful roses or enjoy a top musical with our guide to five of the best things to do.
Aboard SS Shieldhall...
Southampton's heritage steamship SS Shieldhall is to stage two D-Day 80 themed cruises this weekend (June 8 and 9).
Saturday’s trip will see Shieldhall steam to the Solent and Lepe, while Sunday's cruise will pass into Portsmouth Harbour.
Operation Overlord, launched on D-Day - 6th June 1944 - was the largest military invasion in history, with 156,000 troops landing on the Normandy beaches on the first day alone.
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On D-Day itself, Southampton was the embarkation port for British and Canadian assault troops, with two-thirds of the entire British assault force passing through the port. Between D-Day and the end of the war, about 3,500,000 military personnel passed through Southampton. Military vehicles, equipment and stores were also moved through the port. Shieldhall will pass down Southampton Water and journey to Lepe, with a commentary recalling the events of June 1940.
On board on Saturday, between 2pm and 6pm, will be Southampton City Council’s Curator of Maritime and Local Collections, Maria Newbery and See Southampton’s Jack Wilson, with D-Day related displays and slideshows featuring in the saloon.
On Sunday, between 11.30am and 6pm, Shieldhall stages an extended trip into Portsmouth Harbour, home of the Royal Navy.
By the spring of 1944 southern England was fast becoming a huge armed camp, as men, vehicles, stores and ammunition moved to their marshalling areas. Portsmouth was the headquarters and main departure point for the military and naval units destined for Sword Beach on the Normandy coast. Many of the specialist ships and landing craft used on D-Day had been modified at Portsmouth Dockyard, whilst parts of the Mulberry Harbours (the artificial harbours that were used by the Allies for landing troops and supplies in Normandy) were built there. It was also an embarkation point for troops.
Both D-Day cruises will see a service take place onboard conducted by the Shieldhall Padre, the Reverend Dennis Mould, to which all are welcome.
Steamship Shieldhall is one of the country’s most important historic vessels, her heritage significance underscored by her listing as part of the National Historic Fleet. She is fully operational, each year providing thousands of people with the opportunity to experience steam-powered sea travel.
Limited tickets remain available for both trips at ss-shieldhall.co.uk/bookings
At Unwrapped Festival...
A seven foot swan pedalo, highly strung tennis players, Juggling Jake, disco and a falconry display with a difference are among free live pop-up performances set to feature as the Unwrapped Festival returns this weekend.
Expect everything from light-up play stations and giant bubbles to time travel craft as the free family festival heads to Eastleigh town centre on Saturday (June 8) and Greta Park in Hedge End on Sunday (June 9). The brilliant line-up includes Squidge and Pop: Bubble Play & Disco. A special kind of magic awaits audiences as they join a multi-sensory experience featuring fascinating immersive environments, unique light-up play stations and impressive tricks and giant bubbles.
Dizzy O'Dare ruffles feathers with Falconry Dismay, an anarchic and wild flight into the world of falconry shows. Showcasing the extraordinary talents of three majestic birds of prey, their expert handler holds tight to the tethers to keep the show going. Expect belly laughs aplenty! Swan in Love is a must-see swantacular walkabout performance; featuring a recycled 7ft Swan Pedalo. Gary & Pel will be pedalling into the hearts of audiences; inviting them to slow dance, snap some piccies and even have a romantic ride on the love boat itself.
Wimbledon comes to Eastleigh with a pristine court, dead posh umpire and highly strung player looking to take on all comers. A hilarious but thrilling 'one setter' is played out live before an enraptured crowd with all the drama of the real thing including slow motion replays, heated line calls, tantrums and live commentary in Anyone For Tennis?
The event will run from 10.30am to 4.45pm each day.
At Jerk Jam 2024...
From humble backyard beginnings, Jerk Jam has evolved into a fully fledged celebration of Caribbean food, music and good vibes.
The sights, sounds and positive atmosphere that is captured through the energy of the people throughout the day makes for a truly unique experience.
An eclectic blend of music from a mix of both local and international artists alongside free fair rides and craft workshops for the little Jammers, has even seen Jerk Jam be nominated for two national awards - best UK Grassroots festival and best UK boutique festival.
The festival gets underway at 11am on Saturday at Pinkmead Farm in Curbridge.
At Mottisfont...
Mottisfont's walled gardens are home to the extraordinary National Plant Collection of pre-1900 shrub roses, which creates an annual spectacle in early summer with special opening dates this weekend.
Over 400 varieties of rose bloom in the garden during peak season. Climbers are trained onto red-brick walls, and shrub roses are set in beds among other flowers with complementary colours and foliage to show them off at their best.
This year, Mottisfont is celebrating 50 years since the collection was brought to the garden for everyone to enjoy, and the garden team are preparing it to face the climate challenges of the future. You can find out more about this work in the garden when you visit.
The gardens remain open until 8pm (last entry 7pm) on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until June 29 with musical entertainment and wine tasting on selected evenings.
At Mayflower Theatre...
Wicked continues its successful run in Southampton and is casting its spell at Mayflower Theatre until June 16.
Based on the acclaimed novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked imagines a beguiling backstory and future possibilities to the lives of L. Frank Baum’s beloved characters from ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ and reveals the decisions and events that shape the destinies of two unlikely university friends on their journey to becoming Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Reprising her West End roles, Laura Pick stars as Elphaba.
Limited tickets remain.
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