Travel to Plymouth

Travel to Plymouth

The city of Plymouth is in the southwest of England, within the county of Devon. It is located between the mouths of the rivers Tamar and Plym and sits at the head of one of the world's largest natural harbours, the Plymouth Sound. It is a modern city with some outstanding views and has a rich maritime history that witnessed many famous sailors and explorers such as The Pilgrim Fathers, Drake, Cook and Darwin. The naval base has always been one of the most important in England and as a result, it was heavily bombed during World War II. Today, it is the largest naval base in Western Europe and the famous Royal Citadel is still home to the armed services.

Transportation to Plymouth

The city is well served by all major modes of transportation. Plymouth Airport is situated just four miles to the north, making the transfer to the city quick and easy. Frequent trains and buses arrive and depart to many destinations in England, including London and Bristol. A ferry service operates year-round to Roscoff in France and during the summer to Santander in Spain.

What to see

Nearly 12 million people visit Plymouth every year, many eager to find out more about its historical past. The Barbican area survived much of the bombing during the War and this is where you can find some of the oldest buildings and landmarks. The most popular are The Mayflower Steps which commemorate the spot from where The Mayflower set sail for America in 1620. The Black Friars Distillery dates back to a Dominican monastery built in 1425. Today, it still produces Plymouth Gin and unique tours and tastings are available for visitors. The Hoe is a beautiful spot on the waterfront and offers some lovely views of Plymouth Sound and across to Cornwall. It was made famous as the place where Drake played a game of bowls shortly before defeating the Armada.

Daytrips

Plymouth is a good base to explore other notable areas and is the gateway to Cornwall and Dartmoor National Park. The moors are particularly attractive for nature lovers and have some great trekking, while the Cornish coastline has some of the most spectacular cliffs and beaches found anywhere. Buckland Abbey is a 13th century Cistercian monastery and former home of Devon's most famous sailor, Sir Francis Drake. You can experience 700 years of history and tour the monastic buildings that were converted into a Tudor family home. Stroll through the grounds that include the massive medieval Great Barn, aromatic herb beds and 21st century Elizabethan garden. Buckland Abbey is situated six miles south of Tavistock.

Leisure

With wide, pedestrianised streets, many department stores and specialist shops, Plymouth has become the shopping capital of the South West. There are many restaurants offering good seafood and plenty of bars, fuelled by the large student population. One of the best ways to fully experience the city's sea-faring traditions is to take a boat trip around Plymouth Sound. For the more energetic, there are many different water sports available such as surfing, sailing, water-skiing and kayaking.

Safety issues

Plymouth is a good holiday destination and the crime rate is low, but visitors should always try to remain alert to possible dangers. Bag snatchers and pickpockets are the most common problem faced so it should be fairly easy to take the necessary precautions and have a problem-free holiday. We strongly recommend you take out travel insurance for you and your family, to safeguard against accidents and unforeseen problems.