Holidaying in Plymouth
PLymouth City
Experience vibrant nightlife or concerts with A-list artists, bring out your inner foodie with the top notch restaurants on your doorstep or get your wellies on for a stroll around the spectacular coastline or Dartmoor. With the water surrounding Plymouth Sound, the marina is the ideal location for an array of water activities. From sailing to canoeing, water-skiing to windsurfing, try your luck or improve your skills at these exhilarating sports!
Plymouth city itself offers a rich combination of maritime heritage and natural beauty in a fast changing city environment. There are constant improvements being made in Plymouth, to the city centre, restaurants and activities. Plymouth is surrounded by the rugged beauty of Dartmoor to the north, an area of outstanding natural beauty in the South Hams to the East and the unspoilt beauty of Cornwall to the west.
As you are so close, why not combine your trip with a visit to the English Riviera – home of Agatha Christie, beautiful Torbay and historic Totnes.
- Step back in time to the Barbican & Maritime History.. A maze of intricate narrow streets, and fine examples of Tudor buildings, many of them now shops, restaurants and pubs.
- Head to the Hoe: just a short walk away from the Barbican, you can marvel at one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world and absorb 400 years of history at the award winning Plymouth Dome. * Bottoms up with Plymouth Gin. Enjoy a tour and sample the renowned Plymouth Gin at this historic distillery.
- Get your popcorn and 3D glasses in the Various cinemas and theatres including Warner Village Multiplex cinema, ABC cinemas, Vue – Barbican leisure centre.
- Have a whale of a time at the Marine Aquarium The National Marine Aquarium was the first aquarium in the United Kingdom to be set up solely for the purpose of education, conservation and research.
- On a rainy day check out the Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery: This impressive museum houses a wide variety of collections covering the fine and decorative arts, natural history and human history.
- Party in Plymouth; thanks to the myriad of bars and clubs. Being a student city, you are spoilt for choice with vibrant clubs and exotic bars!
- Things to do also include sailing, marinas, Scylla diving, Golf (St Mellion), football and rugby. Places to visit close by include: Mount Edgcumbe, Saltram, Buckland Abbey, Cotehele.
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
Our favourite things to do and places to eat in Plymouth:
The Barbican
The historic Plymouth Barbican is a picturesque waterfront area of restaurants, pubs and shops.
Plymouth Gin
Discover gin that has been crafted for 200 years,. Enjoy a tour and sample the renowned Plymouth Gin at this historic distillery.
National Marine Aquarium
The National Marine Aquarium is the largest public aquarium in the UK. A great place to educate and motivate visitors about marine life while it continues to make strides in marine conservation.
Bistrot Pierre
A french style food and drink restaurant in picturesque surroundings
Wildwood
A pizza, pasta and grill restaurant in the Royal William Yard with a modern and light decore.
Le Vignoble
Meaning ‘the vineyard’ Le Vignoble is a wine bar and lounge. Hosting educational tasting sessions which promise not to be pretentious.
Las Iguanas
A taste of Latin America in this Royal William Yard restaurant. Sample their Latin food or try a cocktail.
Seco Lounge
A relaxing and welcoming stop for food or drinks. Watch the world go by on their large sun terrace which faces out to the harbour.
Positano
A family run traditional Italian restaurant on the Barbican. Beautiful fresh food that is made with love.
Lorenzos
A Spanish restaurant and Tapas bar. A warm welcome awaits with a good selection of wine, beer, cocktails and sangria.
Platters
A locals favourite seafood restaurant located on the barbican. Serving fresh fish from the Plymouth Fish Market daily. Be sure to book into this cosy family run restaurant.
TigerMilk
A cocktail bar in the basement of the Duke of Cornwall Hotel on the corner of Citadel Road. A 1920s speakeasy inspired venue.
South Hams
The South Hams of South Devon is an area of exceptional beauty and contrast with river estuaries, rolling hills and thatched cottages surrounding the lovely old towns of Dartmouth, Totnes, Kingsbridge, Salcombe, Modbury and Ivybridge and pretty villages that abound in the South Hams district of South Devon.
Dartmoor
Whether walking and exploring the rugged Dartmoor landscape with its great granite Tors and Dartmoor Ponies, climbing, letterboxing, horse riding, golfing, or just having a very relaxing break. Dartmoor has it, all 368 square miles of it.
Cornwall
You could easily mistake the beaches in Cornwall to those in the Caribbean, and the quaint fishing villages to Greek towns. This is where the Devonians go on holiday, must mean something right! The unspoilt coast is ideal for a stroll, picnic and swim in the sea. With the warmest climate in the South, the sun will hopefully be shining warming up the bustling towns such as Newquay or St Ives.
