8 of the best things to do in Plymouth

As you would expect of a city in the UK, Plymouth has enough history, culture, entertainment, eateries, shops, parks, attractions and events to keep you busy having fun, no matter how long you’re staying.

But ‘Britain’s Ocean City’ is also well placed to serve as a base for exploring the rest of what Devon has to offer, and if you want to get away from the crowds, Dartmoor National Park is just a short drive away.

There is so much to see and do in and around Plymouth, you’ll want somewhere to relax when you’ve finished exploring. We have a wide range of self-catering cottages in the area – just click the button below to browse the collection.

Skip to: 

• Plymouth Aquarium
• The Box Plymouth
• Plymouth Gin Distillery
• Plymouth Hoe
• Plymouth Barbican
• Saltram
• Theatre Royal Plymouth
• Plymouth Pavilions

Plymouth Aquarium

The National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth is the largest aquarium in the UK and is home to more than 4,000 creatures of 400 different species, such as fish, rays, eels, octopuses, lobsters, jellyfish, turtles and sharks. It’s also the home of the Ocean Conservation Trust, a charity dedicated to connecting people with the ocean. For many visitors, the highlight is the tunnel under the Atlantic Ocean exhibit, which offers stunning views of the entire tank. On the first floor, there’s a cafe with fantastic views over Plymouth Sound. The aquarium also has a soft play area, which costs extra. 

The Box Plymouth

Photo credit: The Box

The Box is a museum, art gallery and archive where you could spend anywhere from an hour to a full day – and one of the top things to do in Plymouth for free. The sustainable cultural organisation helps people to be creative and curious about the world around them, exploring the past in order to imagine new futures. There’s a shop on site and you can buy food and drink from The Box Kitchen and Bar. 

Plymouth Gin Distillery

The Plymouth Distillery is the oldest working distillery in England and it has been making Plymouth Gin according to the original recipe since 1793! The building dates back to the early 1400s and is one of the oldest buildings in the city – it was a monastery before a distillery. A range of distillery tours are available. It’s one of our top suggestions for things to do in Devon in the rain and also one of the top fun things to do in Plymouth. The shortest and cheapest tour gives an overview of the history of the distillery and an introduction to the distillation process, with a tutored tasting of Plymouth Gin Original, Plymouth Sloe Gin and Plymouth Fruit Cup. There’s a bar and gift shop on site. 

Plymouth Hoe

No visit to Plymouth is complete without a trip to the Hoe, which is a great spot to enjoy a sunny day. There are superb views over Plymouth Sound – making it one of the most scenic coastal walks in Devon – as well as grassy areas where you can have a picnic and if it’s really hot, you can cool off by taking a dip in the Art Deco-style Tinside Lido. Take photos of the iconic lighthouse, Smeaton’s Tower, see the statue of local hero Sir Francis Drake, and check out the 17th-century fortress, The Royal Citadel. There are cafes and restaurants serving a variety of food and drink around the Hoe.

Plymouth Barbican

Plymouth Barbican is a historic waterside neighbourhood with quaint cobblestone lanes. There are lots of places to eat, drink and be entertained, as well as independent shops and art galleries. Don’t miss the Mayflower Steps where, on 6 September 1620, the Pilgrim Fathers left Plymouth on board the Mayflower to cross the Atlantic and settle in North America – there’s also a Mayflower Museum. You could also take a boat trip or visit the leisure park which has attractions including a cinema and bowling alley.

Saltram

Saltram, which overlooks the River Plym, is a George II-era house once described by architectural critic Pevsner as ‘the most impressive country house in Devon’. The original Tudor house was altered and greatly expanded twice. It has retained much of its original decor, plasterwork and furnishings, and contains a large collection of paintings. There’s also a garden and park which is very popular with walkers, cyclists and dogs. The estate was transferred to the National Trust in 1957 and it’s one of the top National Trust places to visit in Devon. There’s a shop, cafe and tearoom on site. 

Theatre Royal Plymouth

You can see the best comedy, dance, concerts, plays and musicals in the South West at the Theatre Royal. The venue has three stages which host an eclectic mix of productions. The largest, The Lyric, can accommodate up to 1,300 guests and has state-of-the-art lighting, sound and rigging systems. There are excellent sightlines from every seat. Wheelchair spaces are available in the theatre and assistance dogs are welcome. The cafe on site is open during the day. 

Plymouth Pavilions

Plymouth Pavilions is another entertainment venue in the city and is one of the top things to do in Plymouth for young adults. It has an area for comedy and music acts, and it also hosts events such as exhibitions, catwalk shows and banquets. Sadly, the popular ice rink at the Pavilions, which attracted ice skaters for 30 years, closed down permanently at the end of 2022. The venue has a cafe, bar outlets and vending machines. 

Things to do in Plymouth map

Please find all of the things to do in Plymouth mentioned above with the help of our handy map.

Stay with us in Plymouth

Plymouth offers everything you could wish for in a city break. While many of the best things to do in Plymouth can be found within a relatively small area of the city, if you are willing to travel a bit, either by car or public transport, you will find several more accommodation options available. Also, be sure to check out our top things to do in South Devon guide before you visit! 

You’ll also find self-catering cottages within easy reach of Devon’s famous coast and countryside, adding another dimension to your Devon holiday. To browse our collection of properties within easy reach of Plymouth, click the button below.