- Take in the beauty of the riverside walks and the views from the harbour.
- Go face to face with some monsters of the deep at The National Marine Aquarium.
- Spend a day at one of the beautiful beaches in the area.
With beautiful stretches of coastline and a fascinating maritime history steeped in Naval tradition, Plymouth is a wonderful place to enjoy your holiday. A cosmopolitan mix of big-city attractions and facilities and stunning seaside views and rolling countryside beyond, Plymouth boasts a number of fine attractions, including the famous National Marine Aquarium. Sat between Devon and Cornwall, Plymouth is an ideal base to explore the West Country, with good transport links around the two counties.
With a host of great culinary options and a host of activities to be enjoyed, from golf to canoeing, surfing and even wreck diving on an artificial reef, there is certainly plenty to see and do during your stay. From beautiful local beaches and secluded coves, to a night at the theatre, or a day spent exploring the rich history of this part of the world, Plymouth is packed with many options during your stay.
Food and Drink
Plymouth boasts some of the finest cuisine in the region. Tanners Restaurant is ideal for scrumptious fine dining, while if French cuisine is the order of the day then Chloe’s Restaurant or Cafe Rouge are just two of the fantastic Parisian-themed eateries in the city. If you fancy a great evening out or just the simple pleasures of pub grub, then Plymouth’s offerings will not disappoint. The Admiral McBride, The Dolphin and the Bank are all great pubs with a welcoming atmosphere, with locally sourced food and a fine selection of local ales.
Family Attractions
There is plenty to keep the kids entertained in Plymouth. The famous National Marine Aquarium offers visitors the chance to come face to face with some of the most fearsome creatures of the deep and explore the inhabitants of the city’s coastline. Smeatons Tower makes for a fascinating wander around a truly special monument to the city’s maritime roots, while Plymouth Pavilions is a great place to keep the kids entertained, with an ice rink and fun pool. The history of the place can be explored in the City Museum and Art Gallery, while a step back in time can be taken thanks to local National Trust properties Buckland Abbey (once the home of Sir Francis Drake) and Mount Edgecombe House and Gardens.
Shopping
One of the South West’s largest shopping centres, Plymouth boasts everything from huge big-name department stores to independent retailers in its varied and cosmopolitan main shopping streets. The city centre is easily navigated and pedestrianised, with a great selection of shops and boutiques, while Drakes Circus is a fantastic shopping centre packed with high street names. Morrisons, Sainsburys and Tesco all offer the basic groceries, while fresh fish and local delicacies can be sourced from a variety of delis and independent shops within the city centre. Art and antiquities enthusiasts should visit the Barbican Historic Quarter, where all manner of treasures are waiting to be discovered.
History
From early mentions in the Doomesday Book to a rich naval and trading heritage, Plymouth is steeped in history. Plymouth was a crucial trading port in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, yet the advent of more economical transport options meant that transporting goods to the West Country was no longer a profitable option. But Plymouths naval history has been more consistent. From Sir Francis Drake insisting he finished his game of bowls on Plymouth Hoe before defeating the Spanish Armada, to the launching of the replica of the Mayflower, the sea has had a pivotal role to play in shaping Plymouth as it can be enjoyed today. The Royal Navy dockyard has been in the city since 1690, with huge navy warships often sat majestically in the harbour.
Events and Entertainment
There are a number of entertainment choices awaiting visitors to Plymouth. The Theatre Royal plays host to a number of top shows and musicals, with a variety of performances going on throughout the year. Plymouth Pavilions is a huge 4000-seater venue that regularly boasts some of the finest musical talents in the country, and is one of the largest venues of its kind in the region. The town also plays host to a number of smaller theatres, a multiplex cinema and a ten pin bowling alley. Plymouth also plays host to a BBC Big Screen, which projects a number of the BBC’s top programmes as well as various sporting and cultural events.
Activities
Plymouth’s coastal location makes enjoying the variety of watersports on offer an absolute must during your stay. With yachting, canoeing, surfing and jet skiing to name but a few, there really is something to appeal to everyone, regardless of your skill level. The sunken HMS Scylla is a great place to dive and get close to some of the fascinating plant life and exotic creatures of the deep. For the less intrepid, there are a number of heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools, including a charming art-deco lido on Plymouth Hoe. There are a number of gyms and fitness centres, while keen anglers can fish in the emerald seas surrounding Plymouth. For golf enthusiasts, Staddon Heights or Sparkwell golf clubs offer 18 holes set in beautiful South West scenery.
Beach
Whether it’s a family friendly stretch of sand or a secluded cove to get away from it all, there are plenty of beaches in and around Plymouth to spend a day on the sand. Jennycliff, Bovisand and Mothercombe are all beautifully peaceful coves, ideal for enjoying the regions breath taking panorama. The Torpoint ferry will take you to the charming golden sands and spectacular cliff setting of Whitsand Bay. A bus service also runs to the stunning bay. Ferry’s from the Barbican run throughout the summer to Kingsand and Cawsand and their collection of beautiful sun kissed beaches, while the stunning Bigbury Bay is only a short drive away.
Travel
There are a number of ways to reach Plymouth. Plymouth Airport can be reaches from a number of destinations throughout the UK, while Exeter Airport supports international flights. The large port offers the option to sail in, while the train station is well connected to the surrounding area and is a stop on most of the cross-country services. National Express runs a coach service to the city, which also boasts excellent road links, with the M4 and M5 the best nation-wide links.