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A mini guide to
Plymouth: tips and FAQs
Local know-how and common questions
Local know-how
Tips for visiting
Start on the Hoe
Smeaton's Tower, the Naval Memorial and views of Drake's Island and the Breakwater are all on or beside the Hoe.
Walk the cobbles
The Barbican's lanes around Southside Street hold most of its pubs and restaurants, and the Mayflower Steps are on the harbour edge.
Swim in summer only
Tinside Lido opens between May and September; check the season before you go.
Royal William Yard
Sir John Rennie's former Royal Navy victualling yard, built 1826 to 1835, now has restaurants and bars, according to GWR.
Elizabethan House in winter
The Box's Elizabethan House on New Street closes for the winter and reopens in spring, according to The Box.
Seasonal events
Winter in Torbay
Dates come from the organiser's own page.
Bay of Lights
28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
Illuminated events across Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, centred on a 1.5-mile Illumination Trail along Torquay seafront.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where is Plymouth?
Plymouth is in Devon, England. Waterfront city of the Hoe, the Barbican and the Mayflower Steps. Nearby stops and stations include Plymouth station, Brittany Ferries, Torpoint Ferry.
How long do I need in Plymouth?
1 to 2 days. Allow longer if you plan to eat out or visit several attractions.
What are the highlights?
Highlights include Plymouth Hoe, Smeaton's Tower, Royal Citadel. See the Things to do page for more.
How do I get there?
Nearby: Plymouth station (GWR, CrossCountry); Brittany Ferries (Ferry port); Torpoint Ferry (Chain ferry). The Getting there page links to the official timetables and journey planners.
Where can I eat and drink?
We list 13 places to eat and drink in and around Plymouth, with filters to help you choose.
Where should I stay?
We list 5 hotels and other places to stay nearby. Check availability and prices with each property.
Is Plymouth accessible?
Accessibility varies by street, building and venue. Check each attraction or operator’s access information before you travel.
While you are here
Things to see in Plymouth
A few of the sights in the area. The Things to do page lists them all, with directions and official links.
The Barbican
Old harbour quarter beside Sutton Harbour with about 100 listed buildings and Britain's largest concentration of cobbled streets.
Prysten House
Grade I listed merchant's house built about 1498 beside St Andrew's Church.
Tinside Lido
Art Deco open-air pool of 1935 below the Hoe on Plymouth Sound, open between May and September.
Devon
More areas to explore
Torquay, Paignton & Brixham
Torbay's three resorts: Torquay's cave and abbey, Paignton's pier and zoo, Brixham's fishing harbour
Open the mini guide →
Dartmouth, Totnes & the Dart
Castles at the river mouth, a naval college and a market town at the head of the Dart estuary
Open the mini guide →
Dartmoor
Granite tors, clapper bridges, Bronze Age sites and moorland villages in a national park
Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- The Box: Smalljim, CC BY 3.0, source
- The Barbican: Alan Murray-Rust, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Prysten House: Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Tinside Lido: Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Torquay, Paignton & Brixham: Kolforn, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Dartmouth, Totnes & the Dart: Andrew Abbott, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Dartmoor: Addshore, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Exmoor & Lynmouth: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Exeter: Rüdiger Wölk, CC BY-SA 2.5, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring Devon