About Southampton Explorer

A more personal way to explore Southampton

Southampton Explorer creates private culinary routes and market walks for guests who want to experience the city through its food, stories, and local places.

Private food routes with local character

Our tours are arranged by appointment and built around a clear consultation before the day begins. We confirm the route, tastings, and practical details in advance so the experience feels straightforward from the start.

We work with food curious travelers, couples, small friend groups, and repeat visitors who want a more personal way to explore Southampton. Each route is shaped around the interests of the group and the pace of the day.

2019Founded

2 to 8 guestsTypical group size

Plan your route

What we stand for

Values that shape every tour

Our approach combines practical planning with a relaxed pace, giving guests a private food experience that feels organised, personal, and easy to enjoy.

Planned with care

Every route starts with a conversation about your date, group size, and interests. We use that information to shape a private experience that feels relevant rather than standard.

Clear from the start

We keep the process clear from booking to meeting point check in. Guests receive practical details in advance so the day can begin smoothly and without confusion.

Locally rooted

Our focus is on local specialties, market stops, and the stories behind the places you visit. We aim to make each walk feel grounded in Southampton rather than generic.

Flexible where possible

If you have dietary needs or route preferences, we collect that information before confirming the experience. Suitability and language are always subject to guide availability and the specific route.

Get in touch

Our story

Built around food, markets, and local context

Since 2019, we have focused on private guided experiences that connect market life, local specialties, and everyday city detail.

Southampton Explorer was founded by Oliver Hargreaves with a simple idea: a good tour should feel local, flexible, and well prepared. That means practical communication, thoughtful planning, and room to follow what interests the group most.

Our private culinary route typically runs for three to four hours and is arranged for small groups. We confirm availability in advance, then shape the route and tastings around the agreed plan and the venue options available on the day.

Along the way, our guides share market and vendor stories, local context, and recommendations you can use after the tour ends. The result is a food experience that goes beyond landmarks and gives a clearer sense of everyday Southampton.

5 daysMinimum lead time

40%Deposit