A port city with medieval walls, a marina and a county cricket ground, Southampton has more variety in its venues than people expect. Tell us your plans and we'll send available magicians and a quote.
A Southampton magician from the marina to the Old Town
Harbour Hotel Southampton sits right on the marina at Ocean Village and hosts weddings and celebrations in an events space with water views. For something older, Tudor House and Garden on Bugle Street is a historic house inside the old city walls, with a 16th-century Banqueting Hall and a walled garden for small ceremonies and receptions.
These two show how different Southampton weddings can be. At a big hotel reception, a magician keeps a crowd entertained while you're away for photos. At Tudor House, with only a few dozen guests, the magician can spend real time with everyone.
Tudor House is also a museum, so check its rules on food, drink and decorations with the venue. Close-up magic doesn't cause any of those headaches, which is one reason it's popular in heritage settings.
Cricket grounds and corporate events
The Hilton Southampton at the Utilita Bowl, home of Hampshire Cricket in West End, has a large ballroom for conferences, dinners and weddings. Big corporate events there often follow the same pattern: drinks, dinner, awards, dancing.
Magic fits in the first half of that. Roaming at the reception, then table to table between courses. Once the band or DJ starts, the magician's done the job.
Close-up magic is the go-to for weddings and parties. A stage set works better at a seated dinner where you want everyone sharing the same moment. Mind reading is a great option for a sharp, grown-up crowd at a corporate event.
Not sure which? Tell us about the event and we'll suggest what will go down best.
University balls and student events
With two universities in the city, Southampton has a busy calendar of society balls, graduation dinners and summer events. Magicians work well at these, moving through a busy room and drawing little crowds as they go.
Committees usually book months in advance, so if you're organising one, get in touch early and tell us your budget. We'll be honest about what's possible.
Roaming magic also works in a queue. If there's a long wait for photos or the cloakroom, a magician there turns a dull bit of the night into a highlight.
Country hotels towards Hedge End
Just east of the city, Botleigh Grange Hotel at Hedge End is a country-house hotel that hosts weddings in its grounds and function rooms. Hotels like this suit couples who want ceremony, reception and rooms all in one place.
If guests are staying over, a magician at the evening reception is a nice way to start the night for people who weren't there for the day.
Hotels near the M27 are easy for guests driving in from Portsmouth, Winchester and the New Forest, and for our magicians too. Parking's rarely a worry out there.
Cruise days and getting there
On cruise ship turnaround days, roads around the docks and the city centre get very busy. If your venue's near the port, we keep an eye on the cruise schedule and allow extra time.
Venues on the edge of the city, like the Utilita Bowl and Hedge End, have plenty of parking. The Old Town's trickier, so we check unloading options first.
