Discover Plymouth

Plymouth lies between the River Plym to the east and the River Tamar to the west, with both rivers flowing into the natural harbour of Plymouth Sound. It is the largest city in Devon with over 260,000 inhabitants. The city is joined to Cornwall by the Tamar road Bridge, built in 1961.

Plymouth is first mentioned in the early thirteenth century when the potential of the natural harbour as a commercial port and military base is first recognised.

In about 1400, Plymouth became England's main naval base, controlling the Western Approaches against any agression from Spain.

Due to its waterside location, Plymouth has a host of marine industries as well as the huge presence of the military. The Royal Naval Base at Devonport, The Royal Marine Barracks at Stonehouse and the 42 Commando base at Bickleigh to name a few.

An often overlooked area is Plymouth Hoe - an oasis of peace in the busy city. This is where Sir Francis Drake famously finished off his game of bowls before embarking in the Golden Hind on his way to destroy the Spanish Armada in July 1588.

The National Marine Aquarium, opened in May 1998, is the largest aquarium in the United Kingdom and is a nagnificent addition to the city's Barbican district. It complenents the historic Mayflower Steps, where the Pilgrim Fathers sailed from in 1620.

Plymouth Polytechnic along with almost 30 other higher education establishments were amalgamated into the University of Plymouth in 1992 bringing the city an influx of young people.

Today Plymouth offers a wide range of attractions, locations and activities to please its diverse clientele including:

* Drakes Circus Shopping Centre
* Theatre Royal
* PLymouth Pavilions
* Smeaton's Tower

Accommodation

B & Bs

Squires Guest House, Plymouth (0 km)

Camelot Hotel. The Hoe (1 km)

The Mount Batten Centre (2 km)

Cottages

Plymouth Holiday Apartments-Osborne House, Plymouth (1 km)

Plymouth Serviced Apartment - The Hoe, Plymouth (1 km)

Maritime Living Apartment, Plymouth (1 km)

Strathmore House - Serviced Apartments, Plymouth (1 km)

Plymouth Serviced Holiday Apartment- Phoenix Quay, Plymouth (1 km)

Plymouth Holiday Apartments - Hoe Garden Apartments, Plymouth (0 km)

Breakwater View, Plymouth (5 km)

26 New Street, Plymouth (1 km)

Beach Walk, Plymouth (5 km)

Camellia Cottage, Plymouth (3 km)

Beachside, Plymouth (5 km)

Local hotels

Premier Inn: Plymouth East (4 km)

Premier Inn: Plymouth Sutton Harbour (1 km)

Premier Inn: Plymouth Lockyers Quay (1 km)

Copthorne Hotel Plymouth (0 km)

St Rita Hotel (1 km)

Future Inn Plymouth (5 km)

The New Continental Hotel (0 km)

Jurys Inn Plymouth (1 km)

Quality Hotel Plymouth (1 km)

Ibis Hotel Plymouth (4 km)

BEST WESTERN Duke Of Cornwall Hotel (1 km)

Legacy Plymouth International (5 km)

More Devon self-catering cottages, holiday parks and hotels.

Attractions

Beaches

Crownhill Bay (5 km)

Wembury (7 km)

Bovisand (4 km)

Mining history

Lopes Mine (10 km)

Borringdon Consols (6 km)

Bottle Hill (10 km)

Park Valley (10 km)

Wheal Whitleigh (5 km)

Cann Mine (7 km)

Sidney Mine (9 km)

Wheal Mary Hutchings (9 km)

Lobb Mine (9 km)

Farms & animals

National Marine Aquarium (1 km)

Cinemas

Plymouth Arts Centre (0 km)

Vue, Plymouth (1 km)

Experiences

Plymouth Boat Cruises (3 km)

Gardens

Saltram House & Gardens (4 km)

Theatres

Theatre Royal (0 km)

Drum Theatre (0 km)

Barbican Theatre (1 km)

Eating Out

Restaurants

Chloe's (0 km)

Kitley House (9 km)

The Artillery Tower (2 km)

Bella Italia, Plymouth (0 km)

Bistro One (1 km)

Nando's, Plymouth (1 km)

Tanner's Restaurant (0 km)

Veggie Perrin's (0 km)

The Wet Wok (1 km)

The Miners Arms, Hemerdon (9 km)

More dining in Devon