Attractions in Plymouth
National Marine Aquarium
Visit the UK’s largest aquarium and be amazed at our fascinating underwater world. Start with a rock pool ramble in Shallow Waters then move deeper into the coastal seas of the Atlantic Reef. Follow the mesmerising Ocean Drifters and enter the depths of the aquarium in our Lost At Sea exhibition.
Here you’ll find the Atlantic Ocean tank teeming with sharks, rays, tarpon and countless other species swimming in shoals or grazing on a sunken WWII sea plane. After meeting our freaky fish in Weird Creatures you’ll finally reach the visual spectacular of Coral Seas, the perfect place to end your journey.
Theatre Royal Plymouth
The Theatre Royal Plymouth is the largest and best attended regional producing theatre in the UK and the leading promoter of theatre in the South West. There are two distinctive performance spaces, the Theatre Royal and the Drum Theatre as well as TR2, our award winning production and education centre.
Plymouth Pavilions
Plymouth Pavilions is the South West's leading entertainment, concert, leisure and conference venue - a truly multipurpose complex that provides something for everyone.
Over the years our versatile Arena has hosted an outstanding array of diverse performances, so many to mention - from the comedic hilarity of Billy Connolly to the compelling Philharmonic Orchestra, audiences have played with the Tweenies, been captivated by the Russian Ice Stars, rocked with the biggest stars around and been impassioned by Plymouth Raiders as they battle it out in the British Basketball Championship.
Our Leisure facilities include our Fun Pool, which contains a shipwrecked galleon complete with water cannons, a wave machine, waterfalls, jacuzzi and flumes, as well as our fantastic Ice Rink. Both the Pool and Rink provide a number of sessions for all ages and abilities to enjoy. The Family Ice Discos are highly recommended.
Whether you've built up an appetite after visiting our Leisure facilities or fancy a quick coffee with friends, our recently refurbished Live Café is on hand to provide snacks and refreshments.
Having earned a national reputation as a regional centre of excellence for events and exhibitions, Plymouth Pavilions is one of the most outstanding conference venues in the South West, offering the perfect combination of technical facilities, professional service, proven experience and an unbeatable location.
Plymouth Barbican
Plymouth's Barbican is home to Britain's maritime heritage. If you are an American in search of your history, if you are wondering whether your ancestors sailed on the Mayflower in 1620, then Plymouth Barbican.com is where you can find out more about the place from which the Mayflower began its historic voyage.
Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery
The museum presents a diverse range of contemporary exhibitions, from photography to textiles, modern art to natural history. These exhibitions complement the collections. Like most venues, Plymouth is unable to show all of its collections at one time. For this reason we show a variety of these items through a programme of changing displays.
At Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery we’ve been welcoming visitors through our doors since 1910. Over 60,000 people visit us each year to enjoy our permanent collection displays and visiting exhibition programme.
Our mission is to "continuously improve the quality of care and access to the museum collections and the services and facilities we offer the people of Plymouth and the South West".
With natural history, human history, art and maritime displays, plus regular events such as talks, concerts and holiday workshops for families - there’s something for everyone. Admission is free and our friendly Visitor Services staff are always on hand to help.
Meanwhile, Museum in Transit enables us to deliver our services directly into the local community and schools and our Learning Team offers a comprehensive education and outreach service.
Plymouth Gin Distillery
Black Friars Distillery, the working home of Plymouth Gin since 1793, is the oldest working gin distillery in England and is situated in the heart of the historic port city of Plymouth.
The building dates back to the early 1400’s with the oldest part of the building – the Refectory, a medieval hall with a fine hull-shaped timber roof, dating back to 1431.
Take a guided tour and learn about the art of making the world-famous Plymouth Gin, enjoy a tutored tasting of the range and then relax in the Refectory cocktail lounge – the ultimate place to enjoy a cocktail and where the Pilgrim Fathers are said to have spent their last night before setting sail in the Mayflower to the New World. Connoisseur Tours are available for small groups – discover even more fascinating secrets – contact us for details. Group evening tours are also available by appointment. Availability on all tours is limited so please do call to book.
Enjoy the finest West Country produce at the Barbican Kitchen Brasserie – the exciting dining experience from the Tanner brothers serving lunch and dinner.
The Merchants House
The Merchant house is Plymouth's finest example of a 16th century residence. During the 16th century it was home to three Plymouth mayor's including privateer William Parker a friend of Sir Francis Drake. Climb the winding stairs and you will find the Merchants House packed with plymouth's history , a variety of old curiosities and everyday items. The museum includes a victorian school room and an entire local chemists shop run by the Park Pharmacy Trust.
Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery
The museum presents a diverse range of contemporary exhibitions, from photography to textiles, modern art to natural history. These exhibitions complement the collections. Like most venues, Plymouth is unable to show all of its collections at one time. For this reason we show a variety of these items through a programme of changing displays.
At Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery we’ve been welcoming visitors through our doors since 1910. Over 60,000 people visit us each year to enjoy our permanent collection displays and visiting exhibition programme.
Our mission is to "continuously improve the quality of care and access to the museum collections and the services and facilities we offer the people of Plymouth and the South West".
With natural history, human history, art and maritime displays, plus regular events such as talks, concerts and holiday workshops for families - there’s something for everyone. Admission is free and our friendly Visitor Services staff are always on hand to help.
Meanwhile, Museum in Transit enables us to deliver our services directly into the local community and schools and our Learning Team offers a comprehensive education and outreach service.
We have recently been awarded a Quality Assured Visitor Attraction accreditation for the second year in a row by VisitBritain, when our Visitor Services staff, displays and website were all given a special mention!
Merchant's House Museum
The Merchant house is Plymouth's finest example of a 16th century residence. During the 16th century it was home to three Plymouth mayor's including privateer William Parker a friend of Sir Francis Drake. Climb the winding stairs and you will find the Merchants House packed with Plymouth’s history , a variety of old curiosities and everyday items. The museum includes a Victorian school room and an entire local chemists shop run by the Park Pharmacy Trust.
Plymouth Mayflower Exhibition
The exhibition set over three floors uses interactive graphic panels to explore tales of merchant families, the fishing industry, the military harbour and emigration to the New World. Start your journey by stepping onto the Balcony on the top floor to enjoy a fantastic Panoramic view of today’s busy barbican.
Travel through time from the early beginnings of Sutton harbour, then a rocky natural harbour, through to the thriving tourist destination we see today. Join us as we see how Plymouth's coastal location has shaped its history, as a trading port, an important fishing centre and a starting point for seafaring adventures. From medieval times Sutton harbour has witnessed many world famous historical events.
Some of the greatest Seafaring Adventures have begun from the quayside, including Drake's circumnavigation of the World aboard the Golden Hind and many of the expeditions to the New world. One of the most famous of these is the epic voyage of the Pilgrim fathers aboard the mayflower, leaving from the Barbican Quay.
Smeaton's Tower
Smeaton was recommended to the task by the Royal Society and he modelled the shape of his lighthouse on that of an oak tree. He pioneered the use of "hydraulic lime," a form of concrete that will set under water, and developed a technique of securing the granite blocks together using dovetail joints and marble dowels. Construction started in 1756 and the light was first lit in 1759.
Royal Citadel
The Royal Citadel of Plymouth was built in the late 1660s to the design of Sir Bernard de Gomme, overlooking the Plymouth Sound, on the site of the earlier Plymouth Fort that had been built in the time of Sir Francis Drake. King Charles II decided it was necessary after the Dutch Wars of 1664-67 to realise the importance of Plymouth as a channel port. Possibly due to Plymouth's support for the Parliamentarians in the Civil War the guns could also fire on the town itself.
Work began on the Citadel in March 1665, however it was not until July 18th 1666 that the foundation stone was laid by Lord Bath. The Citadel itself is built of local limestone, while the gateway is built entirely from Portland stone.
It was the most important English defence for over 100 years, with 70ft high walls, and was regularly strengthened over the years, particularly during the 1750's when it was equipped with 113 guns. It is still used today by the military, but it is also a tourist attraction in the summer, with guided tours available.
Plymouth Discovery Tours
Plymouth Discovery Tours provide a unique mixture of real-time discovery on our bus combined with a virtual reality recreation of our city’s colourful past.
Plymouth Discovery Tours aim to promote this dynamic and vibrant city with its ever changing face and celebrate its fascinating and colourful historical past: Without yesterday there is no tomorrow. In an action packed hour, we help you step back in time, so come on board!
