Visiting & Accessibility
Address
Nearest transport
Southampton Central train station (5-minute walk) with direct lines to London Waterloo, Bristol, Bournemouth, and Brighton. Central Station and Guildhall Square bus stops (5-minute walk) with frequent services from First Group and Bluestar. Southampton Coach Station (10-minute walk) with services to London airports and nationwide. Taxi services available.
Box office
02380 711811
Accessibility
Venue
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
About
Mayflower Theatre is Southampton's leading cultural venue and one of the largest theatres in South England outside of London, with a capacity of 2,300 seats. Originally opened as the Empire Theatre in December 1928, it was subsequently renamed the Gaumont Theatre in 1950 before becoming the Mayflower Theatre. The Grade II listed building, designed by architects William and T.R. Milburn, showcases distinctive early 20th-century theatre architecture and charm.
The theatre hosts major West End productions during their UK tours, alongside comedy shows, music events, and a diverse range of live entertainment. Following a comprehensive refurbishment in summer 2018, the venue features a striking new royal red and gold colour scheme in its recently redecorated auditorium, with new wider seating throughout the stalls and circle. All seats in the balcony were re-upholstered, and the entire space was fitted with new environmentally-friendly LED lighting.
The Mayflower is fully accessible to all visitors, with multiple lifts providing access to all levels including the café, bars, and studio spaces. Accessible facilities include designated wheelchair seating, accessible toilets, and modern audio description and captioned performance options. The venue is ideally located just a 5-minute walk from Southampton Central station and the city centre, with excellent transport links and nearby multi-storey car parks.