Plymouth Attractions

Semitones Tower or Smeaton’s Light 1759 to 1882

The designer of the third Eddystone lighthouse was a leader in the civil engineering profession of his time.

John Smeaton, a Yorkshire-man, used granite blocks for the exterior of his tower and Portland stone for the inside. The stones were dovetailed together and the lighthouse had a slightly curved profile, which strengthened and gave it a low centre of gravity.

Illuminated by 24 candles the lighthouse was first lit in October 1759 and stood at 22 metres high. In 1810 oil lamps with reflectors replaced the candles. These reflectors were then replaced with lenses in 1845, giving the tower a much better light intensity.

The Mayflower Steps

A step back in time. On 6th September 1620, the Pilgrim Fathers left Plymouth, England on board of The Mayflower to cross the Atlantic Ocean and settle down in North America. The ‘Steps’ today consist of a commemorative portico with Doric columns of Portland stone that was built in 1934.
www.plymouthmayflowersteps.co.uk

Image: The Mayflower Steps, Plymouth by David Jones

Mayflower Museum

3-5 The Barbican, Plymouth PL1 2LR
01752 306330 
https://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/things-to-do/mayflower-museum-p928703

Plymouth Boat Trips

2-5, Commercial Wharf, Madeira Rd, Plymouth PL1 2NX
01752 253153
www.plymouthboattrips.co.uk

Sound and Tamar Cruising – Fishing Trips – Caws and Ferry – Royal William Yard Ferry – Private Hire
Image:Plymouth Hoe by Herry Lawford

Mount Batten Ferry

Hoxton Quay, Plymouth PL9 9RE
07515 370000
www.mountbattenferry.co.uk

Water Taxi provides regular service, every 30 minutes, from Barbican Landing Stage (Commercial Wharf) to Mount Batten
Image: More from Sutton Harbour/Cattewater/Barbican by Chris Simpson

The National Marine Aquarium

Rope Walk, Cox side, Plymouth PL4 0LF
01752 600301
www.national-aquarium.co.uk

The National Marine Aquarium is home to the largest tank in the United Kingdom and the deepest one in Europe. This popular visitor attraction is perfect for all ages
Image: The National Marine Aquarium by Reading Tom

Barbican Theatre

Castle St, Plymouth PL1 2NJ

01752 267131
www.barbicantheatre.co.uk

The theatre encourage the audiences and participants to visit us and take part in our promoted programmes, events and celebrations in the venue.

Plymouth Ghost Walks

Meeting Place outside Barbican Tourist Information Centre

07747 739605
www.hauntedplymouth.com

Dare you take a journey into the haunted past of Plymouth with your Ghost Walk guide Kevin Hynes. Kevin will show you why this ancient port has such a wide array of supernatural phenomena.‎

Elizabethan House

32 New St, Plymouth PL1 2
01752 304774 ‎
https://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/things-to-do/elizabethan-house-p131323

This authentic property dates from the late 1500s and has a fascinating history. The house is laid out in the style of an Elizabethan sea captain’s residence with a restored kitchen, eating room, parlour and bedrooms.

34 New St, Plymouth PL1 2NA.

01752 306330 ‎

The Elizabethan Gardens are a true hidden gem of the area, an oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the busy Barbican. Open 9am-5pm every day.
Image: DSC_0356 by aislinnv

Plymouth Gin Distillery

60 Southside Street, Plymouth, PL1 2LA

01752 665292
www.plymouthgin.com

The Plymouth Gin Distillery opened in 1793 and has been producing the distinctive Plymouth Gin taste ever since. Housed within the distillery is a gift shop, a cocktail bar and the Barbican Kitchen Restaurant.

Image: Distillery by Andrew Gustar

Merchant’s House

33 St. Andrew Street, Town Centre, Plymouth, PL1 2AX

01752 304381
https://www.britainexpress.com/counties/devon/properties/plymouth-merchants-house.htm

A historic building tucked away down one of the city’s oldest streets – the Merchant’s House is Plymouth’s finest surviving example of a 16th/17th century residence. During the 17th century it was home to three Plymouth mayors including Privateer William Parker, a friend of Sir Francis Drake.
Image: The Merchant’s House by Reading Tom

38 Loose Street, Plymouth, PL4 0EB

01752 206114
www.plymouthartscentre.org

The Plymouth Arts Centre located on Looe Street, Barbican, is home to an exhibition gallery, cinema, a cafe, bar and restaurant, offering the ideal meeting place; serving a great selection of morning coffee, light lunches, drinks, snacks and Cinema suppers. 

Barbican Approach, Coxside, Plymouth PL4 0LG
01752 222241
www.barbican-leisure.co.uk 

The Barbican Leisure Park hosts a number of attractions for leisure activities from the 15 screen Vue Cinema, Ten Pin Bowling Alley which includes an amusement arcade, bar and restaurant. Restaurants (Frankie & Benny’s, Pizza Hut, Nando’s, Pizza Express, Chiquito), a Gym. For the night time the nightclub boasting several rooms of entertainment.

Antony House is a beautiful early 18th-century mansion with a fine collection of paintings, furniture and textiles.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/antony

The grounds, landscaped by Repton, sweep down towards the Lynher estuary and include formal gardens with topiary, a knot garden, modern sculptures and the National Collection of Daylilies. 

Still the home of the Carew Pole family after hundreds of years, this beautiful early 18th-century mansion contains fine collections of paintings, furniture and textiles. The grounds, landscaped by Repton, sweep down towards the Lynher estuary and include formal gardens with topiary, a knot garden, modern sculptures and the National Collection of Daylilies. The Woodland Garden has outstanding rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and camellias. The magic of Antony was recognised by Walt Disney when it was chosen recently as the set for the film Alice in Wonderland, directed by Tim Burton. 

Image: Antony House by Mark Coleman

01752 261915
https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/tinside-lido/

Set in a beautiful location overlooking the sea at the tip of Plymouth Hoe and voted one of the best 10 outdoor pools in Europe, Tinside Lido is an attraction not to be missed. 

Built in 1935, Tinside is a slice of the quintessential British seaside from a bygone era. The Lido is a wonderful example of Art-Deco style and is Grade 2 listed.

Open during the Summer Months this fantastic outdoor saltwater swimming pool offers both loal people and visitors to Plymouth beautiful surroundings in which to swim, sunbathe and watch the world go by.

Image: Plymouth Hoe: Tinside Pool by John Lord

Plymouth Arena

0845 146 1460
https://plymoutharena.com/

Plymouth Arena is one of the city’s leading live entertainment venues, hosting a wide range of concerts, comedy shows, theatre performances and touring productions throughout the year. Located on Plymouth Hoe and just a short distance from the city centre, it’s a popular destination for visitors and locals alike, offering memorable nights out with a diverse events calendar.

In 1840 Thomas Gill, owner of the West Hoe Estate and builder of the 500 ft West Hoe Pier, sold the docks to the Great Western Docks Co. They engaged I K Brunel to design the docks in 1862.

The R.N.L.I. established a station in the docks on 28th April 1912. 62 crew of the Titanic arrived on S.S. Lapland at West Hoe in 1912. Today over 330,000 passengers pass through the port each year.

Above are some of the best Plymouth attractions. From your base at The Firs B&B Plymouth, you are perfectly situated to make the most of all that Plymouth and the rest of Devon and Cornwall has to offer.