Plymouth is celebrating the Ocean City Festival this month with events throughout the city on the south Devon coast. There’s something for everyone in this family-friendly destination and not just this month.
Here’s the Top 10 things to do in Plymouth:
See sharks at the National Marine Aquarium
The UK’s largest aquarium, the National Marine Aquarium, on the waterfront in Plymouth, houses a huge variety of sea life from the shores of Plymouth to the coral reefs of the tropics, including over 70 sharks from more than 10 species. As well as the daily interactive dive show The Blue Planet section’s Great Barrier Reef exhibition of tropical species is particularly spectacular.
See www.national-aquarium.co.uk
Celebrity dining
Plymouth’s waterfront area plays host to several celebrity chefs’ restaurants including Gary Rhodes, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and the Tanner brothers. Visitors can taste the finest flavours of the region at The River Cottage Canteen and Deli (www.rivercottage.net/canteens/plymouth) in Royal William Yard and Rhodes @ The Dome (www.rhodesatthedome.co.uk), on Plymouth Hoe.
Barbican Kitchen (www.barbicankitchen.com) owned by TV chefs and Plymouth residents Chris and James Tanner is also in the famous Plymouth Gin Distillery while Mitch Tonks’ much talked about Rockfish (www.rockfishdevon.co.uk) with delicious food, above, overlooks the harbour next to the National Marine Aquarium.
Climb Smeaton’s Tower Lighthouse
Built on the Eddystone reef in 1759, costing £40,000, it was taken down in the early 1880s when discovered that the sea was undermining the rock it was standing on. Approximately two thirds of the structure was moved stone by stone to its current resting place on the Hoe. Now standing at 72 foot high, Smeaton’s Tower offers fantastic views of Plymouth Sound and the city from its lantern room which, along with the rest of the building, has been painstakingly restored to its original glory.
See www.visitplymouth.co.uk/things-to-do/smeatons-tower-p258003
Sample Plymouth Gin
The famous Black Friars Distillery dates back to 1793, making it the oldest gin distillery in England. The distillery is the home of Plymouth Gin and is in the Barbican, where the Pilgrim Fathers are believed to have spent their last night before departing for the New World. There are guided gin tours where visitors can enjoy a tutored tasting session and relax in the Refectory cocktail Lounge. The Master Distiller’s Tour also offers the opportunity to create and distil your very own gin.
See www.plymouthdistillery.com
Beautiful walking on Dartmoor
Dartmoor National Park has more than 450 miles of public paths and offers a variety of walking routes to suit all abilities as well as cycle trails, horseriding and climbing. There are also plenty of other routes for cyclists to explore as Plymouth is well positioned on a crossroads on routes 27 and 2 of the National Cycle Network. The Devon coast-to-coast route also runs directly through Plymouth into the Plym Valley and beyond.
See www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk
Swim in the outdoor Tinside Lido
Built in 1935, a £3.3 million restoration in 2003 restored this large outdoor salt water pool on Plymouth Hoe to its original art deco glory. The pool includes fountains, inflatable fun sessions, a sunbathing terrace with views across Plymouth Sound as well as lounger, deckchair and wetsuit hire.
See www.visitplymouth.co.uk/things-to-do/tinside-lido-p1096383
Cook-Your-Catch on a Fish ‘N’ Trips excursion with The Boathouse Café:
Based in the fisherman’s arches besides the Mayflower Steps, The Boathouse Café is just a stone’s throw from Plymouth’s historic Barbican. The café’s Fish ‘N’ Trips tours invite families to have fun and learn more about the local marine environment while out onto the water.
After three hours fishing, sea dogs will return to shore where children can relax with a well-earned hot chocolate or soft drink and parents can kick back with a glass of wine or beer. Behind the scenes, the Boathouse Cafe staff will be busy filleting and cooking the catch straight off the boat, it doesn’t come fresher than that!
See www.fishntrips.co.uk / www.theboathousecafe.co.uk
The Mayflower Steps
Visit the world-famous Mayflower Steps, flanked by British and American flags, and mark the final English departure point of Sir Francis Drake and 102 Pilgrim passengers who set sail for Noth America on the Mayflower in 1620. Picture: Andy Fox
Have Afternoon tea at Chocaccino
Indulge in a luxury afternoon tea at this chocolate shop in Plymouth’s old town, the Barbican. Run by a chocoholic mother-daughter team who trained at the Callebaut Chocolate Academy, the shop aims to create not just chocolate but art, experimenting with new flavours and techniques.
See www.chocaccino.co.uk
Segway around the former home of the Earl of Edgecumbe
Embark on an off-road adventure at Mount Edgcumbe Country Park on a Segway tour. Set within 865 acres of Country Park on the Rame peninsula, the Segway tour takes in stunning parkland, woodlands, listed monuments and views across Plymouth Sound. See www.visitplymouth.co.uk/areas-to-visit/surrounding-areas/mount-edgcumbe
