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Visiting NOC Southampton

There are a number of ways to reach the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton.

Local public transport and cycle maps are available in the NOC Southampton reception area and are downloadable from here: https://visitsouthampton.co.uk/your-visit/getting-around

Please note that NOC is located within the Southampton Docks area, operated by the Associated British Ports (ABP). When entering the docks, you may be stopped by ABP Security and asked to present ID.

On Foot

NOC is easily accessible via lit pedestrian walkways from Dock Gate 4 and Dock Gate 5. It is approximately a 5-minute walk from both dock gates. Please take care when crossing roads in the dock area due to large moving vehicles.

By Cycle

NOC is well connected to the Southampton City Cycle Network. A dual use cycle way is available from Dock Gate 4. Covered cycle parking is available next to the main reception. Shower and changing room facilities are also available onsite. Please note that ABP request all cyclists use bike lights and wear high visibility jackets when cycling through the dock area after dusk.

By Rail

Southampton is less than one and a half hours from London by rail. South West Trains run approximately four trains every hour from Waterloo station, London to Southampton Central station. Southampton Central railway station is well connected to NOC via the UniLink Bus Service (see below), taxis and local pedestrian routes (approximately a 30 minute walk). A taxi rank is located outside both station entrances.

Timetables can be found on the National Rail Enquiries website.

By Bus

UniLink Bus Service: The U1C to Dock Gate 4 starts at Southampton City Airport and travels directly to NOCS.  The U1A to Southampton City Airport starts at NOCS, for Southampton Central Station alight at Asda. Timetables are available via the Unilink Bus website.

Current fares: £2.70 adult single, £4.20 dayrider (unlimited travel all day on all UniLink Services, £4 if using the UniLink App). All bus tickets are available to buy using cash or contactless, or on the app.

Timetables can be found on the Uni-link Bus website.

Quayconnect: A bus service that runs from Southampton Central railway station via Asda and West Quay to Town Quay (alight at the first stop on Town Quay), it is approximately a 15-minute walk to NOC from Town Quay. Please view the following walking directions for more information.

More information on this service can be found on the Bluestar website.

National Express Coaches

National Express coaches call at Southampton Central bus station, which is a 5-minute walk to the Southampton Central railway station from where local buses can be taken to NOC.

Timetables can be found on the National Express website.

Southampton Ferries

There are frequent ferries from Cowes, Isle of Wight and Hythe, directly to Southampton Docks (Town Quay). It is approximately a 15-minute walk to NOC from Town Quay. Please view the following walking directions for more information.

Timetables can be found on the aferry.co.uk website.

By Road

By car the NOC has direct links from the M3, M27 (W) or M27 (E). From Central London, join the M3 and leave at Junction 14 (the M3 splits east and west at this point but you can take either direction for the slip road to the A33 into Southampton). Follow signs to Dock Gate 4 and the Waterfront for approximately 6 miles. The journey time is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Parking: There is visitor parking at the NOC directly outside the front entrance. However, spaces can be very limited. Please inform your host when arranging your visit so a space can be booked for you, if available. NOC cannot guarantee a parking space for visitors that do not book in advance. NOC has two electric vehicle charging points. Contact us for prices booking guidelines.

By Air

If you arrive by air from overseas at Southampton Airport there are three ways to reach NOC. Take a taxi (see ‘By road’), take the U1C City Centre & NOC Unilink bus (see ‘By bus’ journey time about 1 hour) or take a train to Southampton Central (see ‘By train’; about 8 minutes) from Southampton Airport Parkway station, which is immediately adjacent to the airport.

Visiting NOC Liverpool

The National Oceanography Centre Liverpool is situated on the University of Liverpool campus. The university has a Maps and directions page with a detailed Campus Map.

On Foot

NOC is a short distance from the city centre shopping areas, Queen’s Square bus station, Liverpool Central Station and Lime Street Station. It takes about 10–15 minutes to walk from Lime Street via Brownlow Hill or London Road/Pembroke Place.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is Liverpool Lime Street station, which is a 10-minute walk away.

National Rail (including an hourly service to and from London Euston, journey time of approximately two hours ten minutes) and Merseyrail City Line trains serve Lime Street station. Merseyrail Northern Line trains call at Moorfields and Liverpool Central stations, and Merseyrail Wirral Line trains stop at all City Centre stations.

From Lime Street station, turn right at the main entrance (opposite St George’s Hall), turn right on to London Road, continue on to Pembroke Place, and then right again on to Brownlow Street. NOC, Liverpool is on the right. (Approximately 10 minutes to walk.)

From Central station, turn right at main entrance (Ranelagh Street), bear right past the Adelphi Hotel up Brownlow Hill. Turn left on to Great Newton Street and then right on to Brownlow Street (follow round to left); NOC Liverpool is on the left. (Approximately 10 minutes to walk.)

Timetables can be found on the National Rail Enquiries website.

By Road

From Liverpool John Lennon Airport or south of the city, follow signs onto the A561 at Speke. Travel north on A561 this will take you onto Great George Street (A5038) and then past Lime Street Station, turn right on to London Road and continue to Pembroke Place; turn right on to Brownlow Street and the NOC Liverpool is on the right.

From the M53, Wallasey Tunnel and the north via Scotland Road, Byrom Street, and Hunter Street: turn right on to Norton Street, left on to London Road/Pembroke Place; turn right on to Brownlow Street and the NOC Liverpool is on the right.

From the main exit of the Birkenhead Tunnel: turn left onto Byrom Street, and then right up Hunter Street, turn right on to Norton Street, left on to London Road/Pembroke Place; turn right on to Brownlow Street and the NOC Liverpool is on the right.

From the M62 via Edge Lane and West Derby Street: turn left on to Brownlow Street and the NOC Liverpool on the right.

Parking: There is no allocated visitor parking directly outside the NOC, Liverpool. However there is pay and display visitor parking outside the building (visit the University of Liverpool website for information and charges).