Plymouth

Plymouth, a coastal city in Devon, England, has a rich maritime past and modern urban landscape. When you visit, you can walk through the Tudor-era Barbican district, climb Smeaton's Tower on Plymouth Hoe, and see sharks at the National Marine Aquarium. The city also serves as a starting point for trips to nearby Dartmoor National Park.

The Barbican and Sutton Harbour

The Barbican, Plymouth's old town, has narrow cobblestone streets and Tudor buildings. This area contains over 100 listed buildings and the largest concentration of cobbled streets in Britain. As you walk through the Barbican, you'll find independent shops, art galleries, and restaurants. Next to it, Sutton Harbour is home to fishing boats and yachts, reflecting the city's long-standing connection to the sea. In this area, you can visit the Mayflower Steps, which mark the approximate location from where the Pilgrims departed for America in 1620.

Plymouth Hoe and Smeaton's Tower

Plymouth Hoe is a large south-facing park overlooking Plymouth Sound and the English Channel. On the Hoe, you'll see Smeaton's Tower, a former lighthouse that now serves as a viewpoint. You can climb to the top for a 360-degree view of the city and sea. The Hoe also includes the art deco Tinside Lido, an open-air swimming pool that opens during summer months. At the eastern end of the Hoe stands the Royal Citadel, a 17th-century fortress still used by the military today.

National Marine Aquarium

The National Marine Aquarium, the UK's largest, is in Sutton Harbour. It houses over 4,000 animals across 50 exhibits. You'll see a variety of marine life, from local species found in Plymouth Sound to tropical fish from coral reefs. The aquarium's deepest tank exceeds 10 meters in depth, making it the deepest in the UK. Throughout the day, you can attend educational talks and feeding demonstrations that explain marine conservation efforts.

Royal William Yard

Royal William Yard, once a naval victualling yard, is now a mixed-use development. The yard contains the largest collection of Grade I listed military buildings in Europe. Today, the restored buildings house restaurants, bars, art galleries, and shops. The yard hosts regular events, including a good food market and outdoor cinema screenings during summer. You can take a short ferry ride from here to the Barbican to see Plymouth's waterfront from the water.

Dartmoor National Park

A short drive from Plymouth takes you to Dartmoor National Park, which covers 368 square miles of moorland. The park is known for its granite tors, wild ponies, and prehistoric stone circles. You can hike, cycle, and rock climb in the park. Within Dartmoor, you'll find villages like Widecombe-in-the-Moor and Lustleigh, where you can try traditional Devonshire cream teas. Dartmoor's landscape includes wooded valleys, rivers, and open spaces, creating varied environments for exploration.