We will be on a cruise ship and stopping in Plymouth from 10:30 AM to 6 PM. I'm having trouble finding something to do here. I KNOW about the Monument to the Mayflower, but that is about all that I know......
Any suggestions?? We enjoy walking, if anyone could give me some pointers, I would SO appreciate it!!
THANKS in advance!!
Much of Plymouth was destroyed by bombing during WW2 and much of the centre is uninspiring 1960s architecture. However, for those prepared to explore on foot, there is still quite a bit of the old city to find in the area around Sutton Pool and the Barbican, with its narrow cobbled streets and Tudor and Jacobean buildings. Go and find the Elizabethan Gardens, tucked away through small doorway at 40, New Street, next to the New Street Gallery. Just a bit further is the Elizabethan House and museum. explore
Plymouth Hoe and the trail taking you round the main sights.
There is also the Royal Citadel - you can walk round the base but visits are by prebooked guided tour.
St Andrews Church has been rebuilt and is alo worth a visit. It has some stunning modern stained glass.
There's plenty to do and see in Plymouth.
Because Plymouth doesn’t have many cruises, you’ll find that you are greeted off the tender by a lovely group of volunteers with maps and advice on what to do. Here’s a bit about them: https://westwardshippingnews.com/the-plymouth-cruise-ship-ambassadors/
The whole Barbican area (where you’ll go ashore*) is full of history and lovely to meander around. There’s a small Mayflower Museum as well as the memorial steps. Also loads of quirky shops and cafes.
Then I suggest going up on the Hoe, which is the area around the waterfront with a broad grassy area and views of the wonderful Plymouth Sound. Smeaton’s Tower lighthouse is open for visitors.
Or you could take a harbour boat trip - boats leave from near where your tender will dock.
Or even a normal service ferry to Cawsand, a very pretty little Cornish village with pubs and a small beach.
Also: lots of good fish & chips. Harbourside are excellent but if you do takeout, watch out for seagulls.
*I think most cruise ships anchor out in the Sound and a tender brings the passengers into the Barbican area but I believe some cruise ships come into the Millbay Docks, to the west of the Hoe. Either way, the greeters will be there. If it’s the latter, you can walk over the Hoe towards the Barbican and get wonderful waterfront views.
I would agree with Golden Girl, who helped me out immensely when I was in Plymouth last year. It's a lovely town and the Hoe and Barbican area are both great places to walk around in, eat and enjoy the views of the sea. The Hoe is where everyone goes and you can head down to the water, or lay on the green and spend some time there. There is a landmark there showing a photo of the Beatles hanging out at the Hoe, and a very cool lighthouse that you can walk up in to see a great view.
The Barbican is the more historic area with cobbled narrow streets, funky shops and some good restaurants and cafes, and really good fish and chips. And yes, Harbourside has excellent fish and chips! I loved them! You can also see the memorial to the Mayflower there as well, although it's pretty innocuous. But still worth a look.
