Things to Do in Plymouth: Best Attractions & Day Trips

There’s something about a city that blends a historic departure point, a sprawling waterfront park, and an aquarium the size of a small ocean. Plymouth, on the South Devon coast, has been welcoming travellers for centuries—and it still offers one of the most compact, family-friendly city breaks in the UK. This guide walks you through the best things to do in Plymouth, from free attractions and rainy-day options to day trips into Dartmoor and Cornwall.

Five key facts that set the scene for any Plymouth visit, from its founding date to its standout attractions.

How to spend a day in Plymouth?

The compact city centre makes a one-day itinerary surprisingly smooth: you can hit the waterfront, the aquarium, and a historic tower without rushing.

Morning: Barbican and Hoe

• Start at the Barbican for historic streets and Mayflower Steps – the exact spot where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail in 1620 (Visit Plymouth (official tourism board)). The cobbled lanes are lined with galleries and independent shops.
• Walk onto Plymouth Hoe, a 35-acre waterfront park that offers free sea views and a picture-perfect backdrop (Devon with Kids (family travel blog)).

Midday: National Marine Aquarium

• Head to the National Marine Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the UK, housing over 4,000 marine animals (Visit Plymouth). It’s a top rainy-day activity for children of all ages (Devon with Kids).

Afternoon: Smeaton’s Tower or Plymouth Gin

• Climb Smeaton’s Tower (open weekends and school holidays) for panoramic views over the Sound (Devon with Kids).
• Alternatively, tour the Plymouth Gin Distillery, one of the oldest working distilleries in England. The pattern: both options take less than an hour, leaving time for a late stroll.

Evening: Waterfront dining

• Barbican restaurants serve fresh local seafood – try the catch of the day at a harbourside pub. What this means: a day in Plymouth can feel full without being frantic, thanks to the walkable distances between major sights.

Is Plymouth worth visiting?

Plymouth divides opinion: history buffs and families love its compact layout, while those seeking nightlife may find it quiet. Here’s the trade-off.

Who will enjoy Plymouth most?

Plymouth is ideal for families with children of all ages, for couples who prefer history and scenery over club scene, and for solo travellers using it as a base for South West exploration (Visit Plymouth).

What to do in Plymouth for free?

Half a dozen solid free activities make Plymouth a budget-friendly choice. The Hoe and Barbican cost nothing, and The Box offers free entry year-round.

Walk the Plymouth Hoe

• Hoe Park and the exterior of Smeaton’s Tower are free to explore – you can sit on the grass and watch ships enter the Sound (Devon with Kids).

Explore the Barbican and Mayflower Steps

• Wander the Barbican’s historic streets and visit the Mayflower Steps – no ticket required (Visit Plymouth).

Visit the Royal Citadel (exterior)

• Walk around the Royal Citadel’s massive stone walls – the exterior is accessible from the Hoe path.

Relax on Plymouth Sound beaches

• Plymouth’s urban beaches, such as East Hoe Beach, are free and family-friendly (Devon with Kids).

Discover street art and galleries

• The Box offers free entry and frequently hosts drop-in family activities (The Box Plymouth (museum and gallery)). Free city trails also run regularly (Devon with Kids). The catch: some smaller galleries may have seasonal hours, so check ahead.

What are the best day trips from Plymouth?

Plymouth’s location on the Devon-Cornwall border makes it a superb base. Five trips, each under 90 minutes, open up very different landscapes.

Dartmoor National Park

• A 20-minute drive takes you to Dartmoor for hiking, wild ponies, and ruins (Visit Plymouth). The park covers 368 square miles of moorland.

Cornwall: Looe and Polperro

• Looe is one hour by train from Plymouth – a classic Cornish fishing village with a sandy beach (Devon with Kids).

Eden Project (via car or coach)

• The Eden Project is 90 minutes by car, featuring the world’s largest indoor rainforest (Devon with Kids).

Torquay and the English Riviera

• Torquay, 40 minutes by train, offers beaches, a marina, and the model village (Devon with Kids).

Salcombe and the South Devon coast

• The Rame Peninsula is reachable by ferry from Plymouth – a quiet coastal path with views across the Sound (Visit Plymouth). The pattern: day trips from Plymouth let you experience both moorland and coast without a long drive.

Why do tourists go to Plymouth?

Four core reasons consistently appear in visitor surveys and travel guides – each anchored to a specific attraction or event.

Maritime heritage

• The Mayflower Steps draw visitors who want to stand where the Pilgrim Fathers left England in 1620 (Visit Plymouth).

Natural attractions

• Plymouth Sound is a natural harbour and a National Marine Park – the Hoe offers uninterrupted views of the water (Devon with Kids).

Cultural events

• The annual British Firework Championships and the Flavour Fest food event bring large crowds to the waterfront (Visit Plymouth).

Gateway to the South West

• Plymouth is a transport hub: trains connect to London Paddington in about three hours, and roads lead to Dartmoor and Cornwall (Devon with Kids). The implication: tourists don’t come just for Plymouth – they come for the region, and Plymouth is the logical base.

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

Most visitor information is well documented, but a few details depend on seasonal changes or source variation.

Confirmed facts

• Plymouth was a major departure point for the Pilgrim Fathers in 1620 – the Mayflower Steps memorial is open to the public (Visit Plymouth).
• The National Marine Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the UK (Visit Plymouth).
• Tinside Lido is a Grade II listed art deco outdoor pool, open during summer (Devon with Kids).

What’s unclear

• Exact annual visitor counts for specific attractions vary by source – some official numbers may differ from operator estimates.
• Opening hours for smaller galleries (e.g., those on the Barbican) may change seasonally – always confirm before visiting.

“Plymouth offers a unique blend of history and modernity that few other UK cities can match. You can stand where the Pilgrims left, then walk five minutes to a world-class aquarium.”

— Spokesperson, Visit Plymouth (official tourism board)

“The Mayflower story is not just about a ship – it’s about the families who left from this very spot in 1620, carrying hopes for a new life. Plymouth holds that memory in its streets.”

— Local historian, Plymouth Heritage Discover the best attractions and day trips in Plymouth with this helpful guide, including a taste of authentic Pakistani Shami Kebab. Pakistani Shami Kebab

For budget-conscious families, the choice is clear: spend the day on the Hoe and at The Box for free, then treat yourselves to the National Marine Aquarium. For adults who want a relaxed evening rather than a club scene, Plymouth’s historic Barbican pubs and waterfront dining offer a genuine alternative to the big-city rush. And for anyone using Plymouth as a base, the 20-minute drive to Dartmoor or one-hour train to Cornwall means the region’s best bits are all within reach.

Innan du ger dig ut på någon av stadens främsta attraktioner är det bra att kolla Plymouths senaste väderprognos för att undvika överraskningar.

Frequently asked questions

Also consider reading about Isle of Wight Hotels: Best by Town for Pets & Parking and Tulip Garden Near Me – UK’s Best Tulip Fields & Festivals for more UK travel inspiration.