Interactive Activities in Southampton: Things to Do at Westquay and Beyond

Westquay is a natural starting point if you want to combine shopping with something to do. The centre has several leisure venues, but they offer quite different experiences, so it’s worth choosing according to the kind of activity you actually want.

Boom Battle Bar

For competitive socialising, Boom Battle Bar puts a range of games under one roof. The Westquay venue includes axe throwing, shuffleboard, darts and Boom Box karaoke, giving groups several ways to compete instead of committing to a single activity.

That variety makes it particularly suited to groups where everyone has a slightly different idea of fun. One person might be keen to test their aim, while another would rather take on shuffleboard or karaoke. You can also choose activities around how long you have, making it possible to build a visit around a single game or spend longer moving between different challenges.

It’s a strong option for birthdays, group meet-ups or an evening when you want conversation to happen between rounds. The competitive element also gives the group something to talk about afterwards, especially if there’s a clear winner.

Boom Battle Bar is on Level 1 of Westquay South.

Hollywood Bowl

If bowling is more your style, Hollywood Bowl gives you a straightforward activity that can work for groups, families or a casual afternoon out. The Westquay venue has bowling lanes alongside retro arcade games, VIP areas and virtual reality experiences.

Bowling is an easy activity to organise because you don't need everyone in the group to have the same level of experience. Some people will take the scoring seriously, while others will be happy to see whether they can keep the ball out of the gutter. The arcade also gives you something else to do around your game, particularly if you're waiting for a lane or want to extend the visit.

It’s also one of the more flexible choices on this list. You can make bowling the main event or treat it as one part of a longer trip around Westquay, with food and other activities nearby.

Hollywood Bowl is on Level 0 of Westquay South.

Showcase Cinema de Lux

A cinema might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear "interactive activities", but Showcase Cinema de Lux offers a more experience-led take on watching a film.

The Westquay cinema has 10 screens, including an XPlus auditorium with a supersized screen, Dolby Atmos sound and enhanced projection. There’s also a Luxury Gallery experience with extra legroom and access to a VIP bar and lounge.

The appeal here is less about interaction during the film and more about choosing how you want the cinema experience to work. A standard screening can fit neatly into a shopping day, while XPlus or the Luxury Gallery can make the film itself the main event.

The cinema also screens more than current blockbusters, with live theatre and other special screenings forming part of the programme. It’s worth checking what’s showing before a visit to see the current lineup, for a better idea of what to watch.

Showcase Cinema de Lux is on Level 4 of Westquay South.

Locked in a Room

If you want an activity that depends on teamwork, Locked in a Room is the Westquay option to look at. The escape-room experience has eight themed rooms, with teams of up to six working through clues and puzzles against the clock.

The format gives everyone something to do. One person might spot a clue, another may work out how a mechanism operates and someone else could notice a detail that the rest of the group has missed. That makes it quite different from activities where everyone is doing the same thing independently.

It’s particularly suited to small groups who enjoy problem-solving and don't mind a bit of time pressure. You’ll need to communicate, pay attention and keep moving, which is part of the appeal.

If your group is competitive, the clock adds another layer to the experience. If you're less concerned about escaping in record time, the puzzles themselves give you plenty to concentrate on.

Locked in a Room is on Level 2 of Westquay South.

Thaikhun Cooking Masterclass

For something hands-on that you can actually take a new skill away from, look at the cooking masterclass at Thaikhun. The Westquay restaurant offers cooking masterclasses alongside its regular Thai menu, giving participants the chance to learn how to prepare Thai dishes beyond simply ordering them.

This is a different kind of interactive experience to the games and entertainment venues nearby. The focus is on learning, following instructions and getting involved with the food itself. It can work particularly well for anyone who enjoys cooking or wants an activity with a more practical element.

The masterclass is a bookable experience, so check the official Thaikhun website for available dates and details before planning your visit. Availability can change, and a specific session shouldn't be assumed to be running on the day you happen to be in Southampton.

Thaikhun is on the Level 2 Esplanade side of Westquay South.

You don't need to book a ticket for every activity in Southampton. Once you move beyond Westquay, the city has several free ways to spend time, particularly if you're interested in art, local history or the waterfront.

Ship-spotting at Mayflower Park§

Southampton’s relationship with shipping is difficult to miss, and Mayflower Park gives you a chance to see that maritime activity from the waterfront. The city-centre park has views across the River Test and is specifically noted by Southampton City Council for its views of the area's maritime traffic.

There’s no need to turn ship-spotting into a formal activity. Find a position along the waterfront, watch the movement on the water and see what comes into view. Cruise ships, commercial vessels and other maritime traffic provide the changing backdrop, while the open park gives you room to slow down.

It’s a particularly good choice when the weather is pleasant and you want something outdoors that doesn't require a booking or fixed schedule. The promenade is fully accessible, although parking at the park is chargeable.

One practical point is worth knowing before you go. Mayflower Park hosts major events, including the Southampton International Boat Show, and public access can be restricted during events and set-up periods. Check the council's information before travelling if your visit coincides with a major event.

Explore Southampton Central Library

Central Library offers a quieter kind of interactive experience, particularly if you're interested in discovering more about Southampton itself. The library houses the Local Studies and Maritime Library on its lower ground floor, with collections covering local history, maritime subjects and family history.

For anyone interested in Southampton's connection with the sea, the maritime collection is the part worth seeking out. It includes ship registers, maritime journals and books covering the histories of ships and shipping lines. There are also maps, newspapers, directories and other local-history material.

This is less about ticking off an attraction and more about giving yourself time to investigate something that catches your interest. You could look into the history of a particular ship, explore Southampton's past or simply browse the collection and see where it leads.

Central Library is open Monday to Saturday, with opening hours varying by day. The council advises that libraries close on public holidays, so check the latest information before visiting.

Explore Southampton City Art Gallery

Southampton City Art Gallery offers another free way to spend time exploring the city, with a programme that combines historic works, contemporary exhibitions and displays from the gallery's collection. Admission to the gallery and its exhibitions is free.

What makes it particularly relevant to an article about interactive activities is the range of ways to engage with the collection. The gallery runs workshops, talks and tours, with activities aimed at different ages and interests.

Even if you simply visit the exhibitions, there is plenty to explore. The gallery's permanent collection spans centuries, while the temporary programme changes throughout the year. Families can also look out for activities designed to encourage younger visitors to engage directly with art.

The gallery is in Southampton's Cultural Quarter on Commercial Road. Current opening hours are Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm and Saturday from 10am to 5pm, with the gallery closed on Sundays.

Because exhibitions and activities change, check the official gallery website for the current programme before visiting.

Visit John Hansard Gallery

John Hansard Gallery is another free cultural option in Southampton's city centre. Located opposite Guildhall Square in the Cultural Quarter, the gallery presents a changing programme of contemporary art and runs talks, tours, workshops and other creative activities. Entry to the gallery is free.

The changing programme is part of the appeal, particularly if you're interested in seeing how contemporary artists approach different subjects and ideas. You can explore exhibitions independently, join a guided or self-guided tour or look out for workshops and talks connected to the gallery's programme.

It's worth checking the official website before visiting because exhibitions and events change throughout the year. The gallery also recommends keeping an eye on its social channels for updates about creative workshops and activities.

John Hansard Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 5pm, with free entry.

Take a Riverside Walk Around Ocean Village

For an interactive activity that doesn't require much planning, head towards Ocean Village and walk around the marina. The waterfront development offers views across the boats and marina, with cafés, restaurants and other places to stop along the way. Visit Southampton recommends Ocean Village for a daytime stroll and highlights its marina as a popular mooring location for sailors.

There isn't a set route you need to follow. That's part of the appeal. You can take a short walk around the waterfront, pause to look at the boats or continue further along the surrounding streets. It works particularly well when you want some time outside between more structured activities.

The marina also gives you a different perspective on Southampton's maritime identity. Instead of viewing ships and the waterfront from a park, you're walking directly alongside a working marina with boats moored around you.

It's a free, self-guided option that can easily fit around other plans in the city. If you want to extend the visit, Ocean Village has places to stop for food and drink overlooking the water.

The best interactive activity in Southampton depends on the kind of experience you're after. Westquay is the obvious place to start for organised entertainment, with Boom Battle Bar, Hollywood Bowl and Locked in a Room offering very different ways to spend time with friends or family. Showcase Cinema de Lux works for a more relaxed entertainment option, while Thaikhun's cooking masterclass adds a practical, food-focused experience.

Beyond Westquay, the city opens up a different side of interactive Southampton. You can watch maritime traffic from Mayflower Park, explore local history through the Central Library's maritime collection, engage with art at Southampton City Art Gallery or John Hansard Gallery, or simply walk around Ocean Village and take in the marina.

That variety is what makes Southampton useful for a day when you want to do something fun and interactive as a group or family. You can build an itinerary around one main activity or combine several shorter experiences, with plenty of free options available alongside the bookable attractions.