Plymouth

Travel Guide
Whitsand Bay Beach which includes flowers and a beach
Appreciate the cultural transformation this waterfront city has undergone, with the World War II-damaged center now home to fashionable restaurants and maritime attractions.

Stroll along the cobbled quayside and see deep water fish tanks in Plymouth’s aquarium. Tour a gin distillery and sample the wares. Swim in a Jazz Age open-air swimming pool and take a boat trip out into the bay.

Plymouth is home to the most extensive naval base in Western Europe and an important location in British maritime history. The Pilgrim Fathers who settled New England set sail from here, as did Robert Falcon Scott of the Antarctic, Captain James Cook, Charles Darwin and Francis Drake. Since the 17th century the Royal Navy has maintained a base here, which drew extensive fire from the Germans in World War II. Plymouth was the target of a series of 59 Luftwaffe raids known as the Plymouth Blitz, which destroyed much of the city as well as the dockyards.

Walk the partially cobbled streets of the Barbican to see Tudor and Jacobean buildings and other attractions. Tour the Elizabethan House, a well-preserved property that gives insight into how a sea captain would have lived in the late 1500s. Stop at the Mayflower Steps, which mark the site where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail to found America in 1620. Walk through glass tunnels at the National Marine Aquarium and watch sharks swim all around you. The aquarium also has moral eels, fish and even a loggerhead turtle called Snorkel. Have a drink at the Plymouth Gin Distillery, which has been producing gin since 1793.

See the statue of Francis Drake and read the numerous war memorials at the Plymouth Hoe, a green-lawned expanse that looks out over Plymouth’s natural harbour. Take a tour of the Royal Citadel, a 17th-century fortress still used by the British military today. Bring the family to Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park where you can ride Segways, play disc golf and visit artist studios as well as learn about the earls that once lived here.

Plymouth is a major U.K. city and has great transportation links. Though Plymouth Airport closed in 2011, Exeter Airport is just 1 hour away by car. Ferry services are also available. Eat at a range of pubs and restaurants or use one of the many take-out venues.

Where to stay in Plymouth

Smeatons Tower showing a lighthouse

Barbican

4.5/5(105 area reviews)

Barbican is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Hoe Park and Bowling Green while in the area.

Barbican
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Derriford

When in Derriford, you can plan a visit to Home Park and Saltram House, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Derriford
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Stoke

5/5(3 area reviews)

Stoke is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can plan an outing to Home Park and Plymouth Pavilions while you're in town.

Stoke
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Turnchapel

Travellers like the monuments in Turnchapel, and South Devon is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Turnchapel
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Beaumont

4/5(43 area reviews)

While Beaumont may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Plymouth Gin Distillery and Plymouth Mayflower.

Beaumont

St. Budeaux

Though St. Budeaux may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Saltash Waterside and Home Park.

St. Budeaux
Future Inn Plymouth
Future Inn Plymouth
3 out of 5
1 William Prance Rd, Plymouth, England
The price is RM308 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
RM308
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Plymouth. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
Comfortable stay despite the bad start
"Unlike last year the welcome from the receptionist was great. She was nearing the end of her shift and clearly ready to leave. We were made to feel that we were an inconvenience! If we hadn't stayed last year and knew this isn't the norm I would have been disappointed by one person's lack of service. ..."

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Future Inn Plymouth
Leonardo Hotel Plymouth -  Formerly Jurys Inn
Leonardo Hotel Plymouth - Formerly Jurys Inn
4 out of 5
50 Exeter Street, Plymouth, England
The price is RM336 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
RM336
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Plymouth. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,011 reviews)
"Beginning to feel tired and sticky plastic shower curtains are terrible"

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

Leonardo Hotel Plymouth - Formerly Jurys Inn
Crowne Plaza Plymouth, an IHG Hotel
Crowne Plaza Plymouth, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
Armada Way, Plymouth, England
Fully refundable
The price is RM377 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
RM377
per night
5 Apr - 6 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Plymouth. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Very pleasantly surprised by this hotel. Will stay there again for sure."

Reviewed on 10 Mar 2024

Crowne Plaza Plymouth, an IHG Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Fox House, Studio Apartments
Fox House, Studio Apartments
3 out of 5
8-10 Whimple Street, Plymouth, England
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Plymouth. Enjoy onsite parking, a computer station, and billiards or a pool table. Popular attractions Merchant's House and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (178 reviews)
"I've stayed there twice now on each visit to Plymouth. The rooms have been refreshed, clean and the area is generally fairly quiet. The location means you can walk to the Hoe, Barbican readily, and the Drake Circus is 5 minutes away. If I return to Plymouth, I'd readily come back!! And the staff ..."

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2024

Fox House, Studio Apartments
Plymouth by Charles Hope
Plymouth by Charles Hope
Ford Park Rd, 7, Plymouth, England
Stay at this apartment in Plymouth. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a Smart TV. Popular attractions The Box and Drake Circus are located nearby. Discover ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (8 reviews)
"Great, clean, well stocked apartments with parking and close to shops and restaurants."

Reviewed on 18 Mar 2024

Plymouth by Charles Hope
Bright Ensuite Rooms PLYMOUTH SK
Bright Ensuite Rooms PLYMOUTH SK
3 out of 5
Gibbon Lane, Plymouth, England
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Plymouth. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and a refrigerator. Popular attractions The Box and Drake Circus are located ...
Bright Ensuite Rooms PLYMOUTH SK
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Plymouth

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
133
" "5 - Excellent 35%
4 - Good
190
" "4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
50
" "3 - Okay 13.157894736842104%
2 - Disappointing
7
" "2 - Disappointing 1.8421052631578947%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
11 Mar 2020

Nice place to spend a weekend. Aquarium is great.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
28 Feb 2020

Enjoyed walking along the Hoe and round the Barbican. On this occasion, it was not a holiday, but a visit to catch up with friends.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
20 Feb 2020

Lots of great eateries, decent shops and nightlife

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
31 Jan 2020

Love the Theatre and the new area where the cinema and restaurants are.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
25 Jan 2020

The friendliness of people. Very good bus service.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
31 Dec 2019

Very disappointing that there was no swimming ,steamroom , ect they have a lots of land they shoul build A swimming