SeaCity Museum, Southampton (must see)

SeaCity Museum opened on April 10, 2012, exactly 100 years after the Titanic departed Southampton on its ill-fated maiden voyage. The museum occupies part of Southampton's historic Civic Centre, a building that once housed law courts, a police station, and prison cells.

Before going inside, spend some time admiring the building's white stone exterior. Look for the modern pavilion with its three angular, interlocking sections, designed to resemble the bows of ocean liners. Today, this extension houses the Southampton Stories exhibition.

Once inside, look up at the impressive ceiling of the Grand Hall, a reminder of the building's former judicial role. From here, you can explore the museum's main exhibitions, beginning upstairs with Gateway to the World. This section traces Southampton's development from an ancient settlement into a major international port.

As you explore, you'll find archaeological discoveries, including Roman coins and objects from a Saxon burial site. Also, look for the large model of the Queen Mary, the famous ocean liner launched in 1936.

Next, make your way to Southampton's Titanic Story, the museum's best-known exhibition. Here, the tragedy unfolds largely through the experiences of the ship's crew, more than three-quarters of whom gave Southampton addresses when they signed on. Start by looking for the Crew Wall, which represents all 897 crew members. Then explore the displays of personal belongings, photographs, and documents. Among the highlights are Captain Edward Smith's sword and a pocket watch belonging to steward Sidney Sedunary, which stopped shortly before the ship sank.

Continue toward the large interactive model of the Titanic, where you can explore the ship's layout. Nearby, try the hands-on activities that recreate life aboard the liner, including working in its engine room. Listen to the recordings of survivors recounting their experiences, and discover how the disaster affected families throughout Southampton. Look out, too, for the reconstructed courtroom setting, where audiovisual presentations explore the British inquiry into the sinking.

Finally, visit Southampton Stories in the modern pavilion. Through photographs, costumes, models, and historical objects, this exhibition explores the city's changing communities, wartime experiences, and the development of its docks.