Plymouth is a vibrant waterfront city packed full of attractions, activities, shopping, entertainment and sightseeing. Come rain or shine you’ll find something for everyone among the city streets, surrounding countryside and marine environment beyond.
Take a look, below, at the best things to do in Plymouth, Devon & have an amazing visit.
Plymouth Hoe
Plymouth Hoe is considered the centre and beating heart of the city.
Perched high above the harbour, this gorgeous park offers breathtaking views of the city and the wider area around Plymouth Sound. These are totally stunning, especially on a sunny day!
Smeaton’s Tower
Thismagnificent red-and-white striped lighthouse has a long history behind it & now it has become one of the most iconic landmarks in South-West of England.
Visitors love to climb the 93 steps and ladders to the lantern room, more than 20 metres high to cast their gaze across the Plymouth Sound.
Plymouth Sound
The Plymouth Sound, or locally known as “The Sound”, is a natural harbour & a perfect spot for a stroll along the trails. In fact, we would say it’s one of the best things to do in Plymouth if you fancy a little stroll away from the city itself.
Barbican
The Barbican is a stylish, historic and cosmopolitan area to get lost in for an hour or two.
It has a very international selection of places to eat and galleries, unique independent shops, pubs, cafes, and attractions like the Plymouth Distillery. Discover things to do & places to visit in Plymouth by clicking here.
Plymouth Gin Distillery
Fancy a tipple? Then the Plymouth Gin Distillery should be your port-of-call!
Plymouth has the oldest operating gin distillery in England, the home of Plymouth gin since 1793, and once exported around the world by the Royal Navy.
Today, you can hop on a guided tour of the facility and learn all about the gin distilling process itself. You’ll also get to learn more about its connection with some of the key pieces of Plymouth’s history. Such as the Mayflower and the Pilgrims.
Wembury
The coastal village of Wembury is another little gem that’s well worth visiting! It feels like you are stepping back in time when you get there!
Nowadays, the village is preserved and supervised by the Devon Wildlife Trust, which means it’s nicely protected for us all to enjoy.
We suggest taking a little stroll around the cosy village & spending some time on the coastline. It’s very quiet and serene out there. Surely, it is the perfect spot to visit if you fancy a quieter day away from the city. The views from around Mill Cottage are just gorgeous & Instagramable, especially at sunset!
Royal Citadel
Right next to Hoe Park, the Royal Citadel is a historic fortress that has defended the coastline since the 17th century. It is still a military base controlled by the British Army, but you can come for guided two-hour tours on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from April to September.
You can go up to the ramparts, still armed with cannons, to look across the Plymouth Sound.
You’ll get a thorough explanation of the history of the fort’s past, and its role as a training centre in the 19th century.
P.S. Royal Citadel is an iconic tourist attraction in Plymouth and cannot be missed.
Royal William Yard
The Royal William Yard is a former Royal Navy property that was released by the Ministry of Defence in 1992. Up to that point it had been used for victualling, supplying navy vessels with food and drinks.
It has an ensemble of distinguished buildings from the 1820s & the 1830s, made up of a former bakery, slaughterhouse, brewhouse, old & new cooperages, warehouses and residences.
Since the 90s this has all been turned into a posh waterside neighbourhood, with yachts docked on the water, & a mixture of restaurants, shops, bars and residential properties.
Drop by in the summer as there are lots of public events, like an outdoor theatre, arts & crafts markets & open-air cinema screenings.
Saltram House
One of the best things to do in Plymouth is visiting Saltram House and Gardens. This National Trust property has a whopping 500-acres of an estate to explore which is totally breathtaking.
Once here, make sure to explore the Orangery & pristine gardens before hopping inside to see the collections of ceramics & art pieces.
Burrator Reservoir
Just outside Plymouth is the lovely Burrator Reservoir. It’s a unique & relaxing escape to the countryside that’s within easy reach of the city & totally lovely to stroll around.
With heaps of woodland and trails, you might even get to spot some deers along the way!
It’ll likely take you around two (or more) hours to fully cover – so plan your trip accordingly.
Oh, and if you’re looking for parking then head over to Burrator Quarry. It’s probably the easiest place to park.
That’s it for now guys! Our blog on the 10 best things to do in Plymouth concludes here!
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