Plymouth
Known as Britain’s Ocean City, Plymouth is one of the most vibrant waterfront cities in Europe.
Top places to visit in Plymouth
- Smeaton’s Tower
- Tinside Lido
- Plymouth Hoe
- The Barbican
- Mayflower Steps
- Royal William Yard
Explore Plymouth
What to see in Plymouth
Visitors travel from all over to see the Barbican and Sutton Harbour. Famous for quaint cobbled streets, a picturesque harbour and a wealth of independent shops, galleries, bars, cafes and restaurants line the water's edge. This part of town is also home to the Elizabethan Gardens and a bit of American heritage, the Mayflower Steps, where the Pilgrim fathers set sail on their first voyage across the pond. The Barbican’s Historic Quarter is a lure for any art fans, where you can pick up unique pieces of art or just marvel at the talent on display.
Things to do in Plymouth
With world class shopping, incredible night life, live music, history and heritage and just about everything else you expect a city to offer, there is never a dull moment in Plymouth. Here, conservation, history and culture are at the forefront, so immerse yourself and experience the true joy of Plymouth.
What you need to know:
- The Mayflower carrying pilgrims heading to the New World set sail from Plymouth
- Olympian Tom Daley hails from Plymouth
- Plymouth has a mainline train station
Plymouth Highlights
Boringdon Hall Hotel and Spa
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Bovisand Lodge Heritage Apartments
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Bovisand Lodge Holiday Park
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Feed the Turtle at The National Marine Aquarium
THIS UNQIUE EXPERIENCE LETS YOU FEED FRIDAY, OUR GREEN SEA TURTLE, FROM THE TOP OF THE UK’S…
National Marine Aquarium
Visit the UK's largest Aquarium and be fascinated by an underwater world. All day tickets come…
The Mayflower
The Mayflower was a ship that transported pilgrims from England to the New World and started the various colonies that now make up the United States of America. It set sail in 1620 and after 10 weeks at sea, landed at Cape Cod Massachusetts. Learn more about the Mayflower by visiting the city’s museums and the Mayflower Steps, in the Barbican area of Plymouth, which is believed to be near the spot the ship set of from, the original steps no longer exist, but you can find a granite block marking the site. The steps today are flanked by the British and American flags, so you can’t miss them!
Looking to trace your ancestry from America to Plymouth? Head to the Barbican area of Plymouth – there are a host of museums and artefacts to explore here.
Also stop off for some gin at England’s oldest gin distillery which is in the city and still uses the same traditional recipes. Bottles of their gin made its way to the New World with the pilgrims!
Sir Francis Drake
Devon-born, Sir Francis Drake spent many years in Plymouth and started his career as a sailor and explorer from here. To learn more, visit Plymouth Hoe, where he set off to engage with the Spanish Armada.
You’ll even find his namesake if you look out over the bay – Drake’s Island.
Plymouth’s Royal William Yard
Build in the 1800s, Royal William Yard is considered to be one of the most important historic military buildings in the country and features the largest collection of Grade I listed military buildings in Europe.
Where to park in Plymouth
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Plymouth have a beach?
Plymouth is surrounded by beaches - the closest sandy beaches are Bovisand and Wembury, which are just 15 minutes from the city centre by car.
Bovisand beach is a sandy beach and is popular with visitors, especially those that like swimming, it is within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and can be accessed via the South West Coast Path. Dogs not allowed May 1st to September 30th, when a seasonal ban is in place.
Wembury is managed by the National Trust and can be accessed via the South West Coast Path, the beach is a mixture of pebbles and sand and there is a historic mill and a marine centre for visitors to explore.
Find out more to do around Plymouth here.
Can you get to Plymouth by train?
Plymouth has its own train station which is managed by GWR, travelling from London takes around 3 hours via train. You can travel around Devon using the rail network, as there are connections to and from Plymouth across the county. This station has step-free access to all platforms / the platform and has staff on hand should you have any additional access needs.
Find more information about travelling to and from Plymouth by train
Can you fly to Plymouth?
Plymouth does not have its own airport, but there are three within easy distance. Exeter airport is around an hour away, while Bristol airport is 2 hours and Newquay airport is just over an hour away. From Exeter airport, there are several transport links to help you with your onward journey.
Travel to Plymouth from Exeter AirportSee more from Plymouth
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The celebration of Plymouth’s waterfront is back – bigger and better this year thanks to a new partnership between Plymouth City Council, Plymouth Sound National Marine Park and Plymouth Waterfront Partnership – and the festival will return to Royal William Yard, with a packed programme planned.
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