Southampton Boat Show - By: Simon White

The PSP Southampton Boat Show is fun for all the family. You'll find; boats, watersports, Europe's largest show marina and plenty of shopping. The event highlights everything new in boating and attracts visitors with demonstrations and fun activities.

Southampton Boat Show has something for everyone, with 500 exhibitors and exclusive products. Europe's largest Show marina attracted a record 127,000 visitors in 2007, and this year - the 40th edition, looks to be just as popular.

History of the show - Southampton has a wealth of maritime history and is the country's premier cruise port, with more luxury ships arriving and departing than from the rest of the UK put together. The first docks in Southampton were built in 1838. Since then many liners, such as RMS Queen Mary, Aquitania and Queen Elizabeth have had Southampton as their home port.

The PSP Southampton Boat Show is held every September in September, and has been since 1969. The Boat Show has been a ten-day event since 1997. Held at Mayflower Park, it is one of the two major annual boat shows in the United Kingdom, alongside the London Boat Show. Both are organised by the British Marine Federation.

Ellen MacArthur sailed into Southampton for the boat show aboard her new trimaron B&Q, one of its first public displays in 2004. The 2005 event featured a makeshift beach with sand being imported to the event. The 2007 event offered the chance to see HMS Bounty, the ship featured in Pirates of the Caribbean. Exhibitors at the Southampton Boat Show consist mostly of boat builders, boat owners, chandlers, sailing companies launching new products.

What to expect - The 'Try A Boat' feature is 40% bigger in 2008, and is completely free. The Hydropool Marina is Europe's largest show marina, covering 3km and holding over 350 vessels. Some of the most famous and historical boats feature at this years show, including Tall Ship Jeanie Johnston, Westerly Oceanranger and Katie Miller's Yacht Racing - Hot Socks. Ladies Day - 18th September allows visitors to shop and dine on Restaurant SO40 and sip champagne on the Sunseeker Champagne Bar. There is also a brand new Ladies Day with fashion show. Dinghy Sailing - Children can try dinghy sailing for free with the OnBoard programme. Try the H2O Zone where you can go canoeing, kayaking and dinghy sailing. You can also watch demos by the professionals.

Getting there - The show is open from 10am until 7pm every day

Organisers recommend visitors travel to the show by public transport.

The PSP Southampton Boat Show is located around Mayflower Park/Town Quay, Southampton, SO15 1HJ.

Southampton Bus Station is a 5 minutes walk from the show entrance. The closest bus stops to the Boat Show are in the Bargate / High Street /Town Quay area. There is a free 'City Link' bus that runs between Southampton Central train station and Town Quay which is near Bugle Street every 15 minutes.

Southampton Central is the closet mainline station. Use platform 4 exit to walk to the Boat Show. It's a 10 min walk to the Showground or you can take the free City Link bus to the Town Quay.

There are 10,000 parking spaces throughout the city centre both in public and privately owned car parks.

Cost - Adult tickets are £17.50 in advance and £20 at the gate Children (5-15) go free with a paying adult 60+, students and disabled visitors pay £15

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