Overview of Plymouth’s Attractions
At the head of Plymouth Sound, one of the world’s preeminent natural harbours, Plymouth is a city with a profound maritime heritage.
For centuries, it has served as a naval base, and the cliffs along the harbour host coastal forts and batteries dating back to the 17th century through to the Second World War.
Visitors can stand on the Hoe, a prominent limestone cliff, to observe the activities on the Sound and meander through the cobblestone streets of the Barbican, where the Mayflower embarked for America in 1620. Britain’s oldest gin distillery is located here, having produced the national spirit for over 225 years, while the historic Victualling Yard has transformed into a vibrant waterfront neighbourhood featuring esteemed 18th-century naval structures.
Let us explore the top attractions in Plymouth:
1. Plymouth Hoe
Plymouth Hoe, a south-facing limestone elevation, has served as an observation point for monitoring the Sound and the western stretch of the English Channel since ancient times.
From this vantage point, one can see the entire expanse of Plymouth Sound, alongside Mount Edgcumbe in Cornwall and Drake’s Island.
Legend has it that Sir Francis Drake engaged in a game of bowls here after the initial sails of the Spanish Armada were observed in 1588. Several attractions, including the Royal Citadel and Smeaton’s Tower, are situated atop the Hoe, while down by the water lies the Tinside Lido, an elegant semi-circular outdoor pool featuring Art Deco architecture.
2. Smeaton’s Tower
Named after its designer, Georgian civil engineer John Smeaton, this tower was originally a lighthouse positioned on Eddystone Reef between 1759 and 1877, before being relocated to Plymouth Hoe in the 1880s due to erosion concerns.
It initially utilized 24 candles, each weighing slightly under a kilogram, to signal its presence.
Having become such a significant landmark, the tower was reconstructed as a memorial at the conclusion of its operational life and has since been meticulously restored to its 18th-century design.
Visitors can ascend the 93 steps and ladders to reach the lantern room, situated over 20 metres high, providing panoramic views across Plymouth Sound.
3. Plymouth Sound
From the Hoe, one can take a moment to appreciate this expansive natural harbour, observing Royal Navy vessels and general water traffic.
A remarkable way to experience this vast expanse of water is by traversing the east side, between Mount Batten Point and Andurn Point.
The intricate geology of the cliffs and formations is equally captivating, shifting from red and green sandstone in the southern region near Andurn Point to slates, siltstones, and darker sandstone as one journeys north towards the city.
Along this route, one will also encounter a series of coastal forts established during different eras, such as the circular artillery fort atop Mount Batten, erected in 1652.
4. Barbican
The Barbican, positioned on the north and west sides of Sutton Harbour, is a stylish, historic, and cosmopolitan district perfect for exploration.
This area remarkably withstood significant damage during the Plymouth Blitz in the Second World War and features narrow alleys bordered by Tudor, Jacobean, and Georgian structures dating from the 16th to the 18th centuries.
With over 100 listed buildings within this maze of cobblestone lanes, the promenade along Sutton Harbour offers a picturesque place to stroll in the evenings.
The Barbican is also home to a diverse array of dining options, art galleries, unique independent shops, pubs, cafes, and attractions such as the Plymouth Distillery.
5. National Marine Aquarium
Plymouth is home to the largest aquarium in the UK, inaugurated on reclaimed land within Sutton Harbour in 1998. The National Marine Aquarium hosts habitats for 4,000 individual marine animals representing 400 species across four principal zones.
The first zone showcases marine life indigenous to Plymouth Sound, including sharks, rays, and various crustaceans and echinoderms inhabiting its rockpools.
The Eddystone Reef exhibit highlights British marine life, showcasing a variety of species such as conger eels, lobsters, pollock, flatfish, and smoothhound sharks.
The Atlantic Ocean exhibit was revitalized in 2009 with a significant shipment of live fish to the UK, featuring species such as tarpon, barracudas, upside-down jellyfish, and sand-tiger sharks.
Lastly, the Blue Planet section illustrates the remarkable biodiversity of the world’s oceans, including the Great Barrier Reef exhibit housing 70 distinct species in a single environment.
6. Saltram
Situated just east of the city lies Saltram House, an elegant Georgian mansion set amidst 500 acres of farmland, which includes woods, marshes, farmland, and the Plym estuary.
The house was designed by the renowned Scottish architect Robert Adam, transforming a prior Tudor residence.
It has been home to several generations of the affluent Parker family, and the Neoclassical estate is still adorned with their collection of art by prominent Georgian artists such as Joshua Reynolds.
Among the treasures are exquisite textiles, ceramics, and clocks, showcasing a refined saloon, a library featuring Chinoiserie decoration, and a kitchen equipped with an antique range and copper cookware.
Outside, visitors can stroll through meadows where cattle graze, enjoy a picnic while overlooking the Plym, and discover the Parkers’ 18th-century amphitheatre folly.
7. Royal Citadel
On the eastern side of Plymouth Hoe stands the Royal Citadel, constructed in the 1600s during the Dutch Wars under the reign of King Charles II. It was designed by Dutch military engineer Bernard de Gomme, featuring an unconventional layout crafted from local limestone.
The Royal Citadel remains an active military installation overseen by the British Army; however, guided two-hour tours are available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from April to September.
Visitors can ascend to the ramparts, which are still equipped with cannons, to take in views of Plymouth Sound.
This informative tour covers the fort’s historical significance and its role as a military training facility in the 19th century.
Architectural highlights include the English Baroque gateway and the Royal Chapel, dating back to 1371.
8. Plymouth Naval Memorial
Located at the heart of Plymouth Hoe, this war memorial commemorates British and Commonwealth sailors who perished in the World Wars without a known burial site.
The memorial is one of three dedicated monuments, situated here and at the Royal Navy bases in Portsmouth and Chatham.
It inscribes the names of 7,251 sailors missing from the First World War and 15,933 from the Second World War.
Unveiled in 1924, the memorial was designed by Scottish architect Henry Lorimer, whose work includes the carved lions, Royal Navy crest, and globe atop the obelisk, completed by Henry Poole.
In 2016, marking the centenary of the Battle of Jutland, the memorial was granted Grade I listed status.
9. Plymouth Gin Distillery
Plymouth is home to the oldest operating gin distillery in England, renowned as the origin of Plymouth gin since 1793 and once distributed across the globe by the Royal Navy.
The Black Friars Distillery resides within a structure featuring much older architecture, known as the Refectory, dating back to 1431, which now serves as a bar and tasting area under a magnificent timber ceiling.
Initially a merchant’s house, this historic site also served as a jail and congregational hall before its current purpose was established.
The distillery continues to create Plymouth Gin, characterized by a sweeter profile compared to London dry gin, and offers guided tours followed by tasting sessions in the Refectory.
It is believed that the pilgrims aboard the Mayflower spent their final night on English soil in this hall in 1620.
10. Royal William Victualling Yard
The impressive Royal William Victualling Yard is a former Royal Navy facility released by the Ministry of Defence in 1992 after serving its purpose of supplying navy vessels with food and beverages.
It features a collection of noteworthy structures from the 1820s and 1830s, designed by Sir John Rennie, which includes a former bakery, slaughterhouse, brewhouse, and residential quarters.
Since the 1990s, the area has been transformed into a sophisticated waterfront neighbourhood, boasting yachts moored at its shores and a mix of dining establishments, shops, bars, and residences.
During the summer months, the Victualling Yard hosts numerous public events, including outdoor theatre productions, arts and crafts markets, and open-air cinema screens.
11. Wembury
Located a mere 15 minutes from the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the southeast, the small village of Wembury is embraced by stunning rolling landscapes preserved by the National Trust, featuring high coastal cliffs.
Wembury Beach is renowned for its exposed Lower Devonian reefs at low tide, making it an exceptional location for rockpooling activities, ideal for children eager to discover starfish, crabs, sea scorpions, anemones, and limpets.
For surfers, consistent swells reaching up to two metres provide ample opportunities, while cliff-top walks along the Southwest Coast Path offer attractive views of Great Mew Stone, an islet captured in artwork by J. M. W. Turner.
12. Plymbridge Woods
Tracing the Plym river upstream leads to an extensive expanse of woodland managed by the National Trust near the city’s northeastern edge, blending in a landscape of abandoned quarries.
This woodland features a network of walking and cycling paths that vary in length, with none presenting overly strenuous challenges on the gentle terrain.
As you navigate through the riverbank oak forests, you may encounter fallow deer, peregrine falcons, and kingfishers.
Springtime enhances the beauty of the woods, as the forest floor becomes adorned with wildflowers such as bluebells, wild garlic, primroses, and wood anemones.
13. Devonport Naval Heritage Centre
In a city housing the largest naval base in Western Europe, curiosity about its military history is expected.
HMNB Devonport features a visitor centre that is accessible by appointment.
This centre chronicles the dockyard’s evolution over the centuries and Plymouth’s contributions to naval warfare since the 14th century.
The galleries contain model ships, military regalia, silverware, crockery, and historical figureheads.
Additionally, the decommissioned nuclear submarine HMS Courageous is part of the exhibition.
Depending on security protocols and scheduling, visitors can also inquire at the heritage centre about tours of modern amphibious ships at the base, such as the assault ship HMS Bulwark and the helicopter carrier HMS Ocean.
14. Dartmoor Zoo
Situated less than ten miles from Plymouth, on the southern edge of Dartmoor National Park, Dartmoor Zoo provides an engaging experience for younger family members.
Inspired by the 2011 film “We Bought a Zoo,” starring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson, which is based on the experiences of the current owners who acquired the attraction in 2006, the zoo is home to 72 mammal species, including Amur tigers, African lions, jaguars, lynxes, Iberian and grey wolves, short-clawed otters, zebras, and wallabies.
Additionally, the zoo features an array of owls, tarantulas, leaf insects, snakes, and Tina, the oldest resident, a Spur-thighed tortoise nearing her 60th birthday.
15. Cremyll Ferry
From the Admiral’s Hard in Stonehouse, one can cross into Cornwall over the River Tamar, a notable ferry route that has been in operation since the early 13th century.
The Cremyll Ferry operates from Plymouth at 15, 30, and 45 minutes past the hour, taking approximately eight minutes to reach the small coastal village of Cremyll.
While aboard the Plymouth Belle, passengers have the opportunity to survey Plymouth Sound, the Royal William Yard, and Mount Edgcumbe, which rises behind Cremyll on the eastern tip of the Rame Peninsula.
Those wishing to cycle can bring a bike for an additional charge of 75p over the £1.50 fare, enabling a leisurely ride around the Rame Heritage Coast, a natural reserve offering stunning views back to Plymouth along with remnants of Victorian and Second World War coastal defenses.
