Essential Plymouth Travel Guide: What to See & Do

Plymouth is a coastal city shaped by the ocean, naval heritage, and stories that reached far beyond southwest England. Set around Plymouth Sound, it combines open waterfront views with a historic centre, lively harbour districts, and a strong connection to exploration and seafaring.

Plymouth Hoe and Its Waterfront Views

Plymouth’s best-known landmark, Plymouth Hoe, is a broad green overlooking Plymouth Sound, Drake’s Island, and the distant coast of Cornwall. It is one of the city’s most rewarding places to appreciate its dramatic landscape and maritime identity.

Smeaton’s Tower stands prominently on the Hoe. This former Eddystone Lighthouse was rebuilt there in the 19th century. Statues and memorials across the area recall Sir Francis Drake, the defeat of the Spanish Armada, and naval and air-force personnel lost during the world wars.

Explore the Barbican and Sutton Harbour

For many visitors, the Barbican offers the most atmospheric glimpse of old Plymouth. Its narrow cobbled streets and collection of listed buildings surround Sutton Harbour, where fishing traditions have given way to marinas, cafés, restaurants, and galleries.

The waterfront is also closely linked to the Mayflower voyage. The Mayflower Steps commemorate the 1620 departure of the Pilgrims for North America. Nearby, the Mayflower Museum and Elizabethan House provide context for their time in the city. Plymouth Gin Distillery reflects another long-standing part of Plymouth’s local story.

Plymouth’s Maritime and Naval Heritage

From its early maritime settlement and Roman importance to its role as a naval and shipbuilding centre, Plymouth has continually reinvented itself. Much of the city was rebuilt after the Second World War, but its historic character remains visible.

Anyone researching things to do in Plymouth or deciding what to see in Plymouth will find a destination where dramatic coastal scenery and world-changing history meet naturally.