PLYMOUTH

PLYMOUTH – BRITAIN'S OCEAN CITY

I visited Plymouth once – and it is easy to get around this ocean city – by walking, cycling or city bus ride. For me, definitely I select 'walking' around the city as one can get to see more things. Recommended one day tour is sufficient to see the popular places, here. Plymouth is part of Devon and it was first recorded in 1211, at which time Dartmouth and Fowey were the bigger ports. It takes about 30 minutes drive from Exeter to Plymouth.

SUTTON HARBOUR

Plymouth is a city steeped in history – a rich maritime heritage – dubbed as "Britain's Ocean City" a lively and authentic waterfront opportunity with a distinctly European feel created by the many marinas, restaurants, alfresco pavement cafes and waterfront bars.

CITY CENTRE

Historic buildings and strong modernist architecture that lines Amanda Way, the city's boulevard.

A city with the sea at its heart, there is plentiful shopping just 10 minute's walk from the waterfront.

Plymouth is also a cultural capital of Devon and Cornwall – with major events including British Firework Championships and Flavour Fest. Popular for theatres, galleries and performing arts provide an eclectic mix to add the laid-back lifestyle.

MERCHANT'S HOUSE - 16TH CENTURY AT ST ANDREW STREET

Highlight is Plymouth Hoe – where it is locate on the city's dazzling waterfront offers a large green space and breath-taking views across Plymouth Sound. The iconic red white Smeaton's Tower lighthouse is situated here and standing at 72 feet high offers fantastic views from its lantern room. A South-West landmark, this lighthouse sits on the grassy bank of Plymouth Hoe. Originally built on the Eddystone reef in 1759 – it was reconstructed here after the seas undermined the rock it was standing on. It is a focal point for the city and the location for some of the place's biggest events including Armed Forces Day and the British Firework Championships. It is also home to the Royal Citadel, the city's war memorials and Plymouth Lido, located at the waterfront. Looking out across the water, one can enjoy views of Mount Edgcumbe on the Cornish coast and Mount Batten and Jennycliff, part of the South West Coastal Path. I really enjoy The Hoe – especially I was there on a Summer Holiday. Can't wait to take numerous photographs with this Tower Lighthouse.

HI! PLYMOUTH HOE

 

Nearby, one can take to the skies for a romantic trip on board Plymouth's The Wheel (similar to London Eye).

PLYMOUTH HOE

The Barbican and Sutton Harbour is one of Plymouth's most popular places to visit, coupled with quaint cobbled streets, a picturesque harbour and a wealth of independent shops, galleries, bars, cafes and restaurants along the water's edge creating a relaxing vibe. The area here includes places like National Marine Aquarium and the Plymouth Gin Distillery, Elizabethan House and The Mayflower Steps where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail on their voyage to the New World in 1620. The Mayflower Steps are flaked by British and American Flag and marked the final English departure point of – with 102 passengers and crew on board the ship.

THE MAYFLOWER STEPS (1620)

One can take a boat trip to Royal William Yard or hire a bicycle from the Barbican Wharves nearby. I like this area of Plymouth as it is historical – can learn a lot from the historical walls, and Mayflower Steps.

FORT PLAQUE FOUND ON THE WALLS AT THE BARBICAN

One of the important task to do at the Barbican – is to follow the footsteps of the great sea-farers of the past found here, the Plymouth Brethren left from the Barbican harbour area, Plymouth - back in 1620 for a new life in North America.

Fort Plaque is erected to remember all these merchants navy who died in war where 31,442 merchant seafarers died between 1939-1945.   This spot thousands of Cornish people sailed from South Australia in 19th century to contribute Colony's development in mining and farming at the Barbican Wharves.

I did visit the biggest aquarium in United Kingdom - National Marine Aquarium – amazed by the Sand Tiger Sharks, fishes, sea horses and all types of sea animals, here.

Walking around the Plymouth City Centre is an interesting experience where I can get the best retail experience in Devon and Cornwall. Big name brands are located alongside hundreds of shops. One of the oldest bakery in Britain, the 16th century commercial bakery is named FH Jacks Bakery, located at 38 Soothside Street, Barbican. It was opened when Sir Francis Drake played bowls on Plyouth House before turning his attention to Spanish Armada.
 

OLDEST BAKERY CALLED JACK BAKERY

Another stop – over is United Kingdom's oldest gin distillery, Black Friars. One can participate in the Master Distiller's private tour which include creating one's own unique bottle of gin, own sample bottle plus served with a glass of Plymouth Gin with tonic in the bar.

PLYMOUTH GIN DISTILLERY

Sutton Harbour is a vibrant quayside cosmopolitan waaterfront bars, restaurants, cafe, shops, yatchs and boats. The superb facilities, sheltered environment and first class customer service made Sutton Harbour Marina one of the "best" moorings to explore - beautiful cruising waters of Southwestern was built in 1998 on reclaimed land on the Sutton Harbour.

SUTTON HARBOUR

A must not miss sight is the Royal William Yard – constructed between 1825 – 1831 – forms as a naval victualling yard, Plymouth's Royal William Yard is considered to be one of the most important groups of historic military buildings in Britain. Here, I really enjoy the fantastic not only the beautiful yatchs parking at Royal William Yard, and also the range of cafes, bars and restaurants, including Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's River Cottage Canteen and French Le Bistrot Pierre. At the Marinas - it is Plymouth's Yacht Haven” and it boasts the second highest number of Gold Anchor marinas in United Kingdom.

ROYAL WILLIAM YARD - PLYMOUTHS' YATCH HEAVEN

MAY 20, 2015