Things to do in Plymouth

I know Plymouth might not be at the top of many people’s travel list, or even anywhere to be seen on the list. But as someone who lived there for 13 years, I’m going to try and change your mind and give you some ideas of things to do in Plymouth.

If you have decided on your trip to the UK to see somewhere else instead of London, great, you are already winning! There are so many incredible places to visit and heading to the South West you really can’t go wrong. Now I know you may be thinking about just jumping on the train and completely bypassing, but here is a list of places to go in Plymouth.

Things to do in Plymouth Royal William Yard

Plymouth is a Cultural Hub

Plymouth is known as a city of makers and is home to many artists and art lovers. Dance, Theatre, Visual, Film, Photography, Textile…the list is endless. Whether you are looking to by a piece of art, listen to some live music or see a performance there is always something on. The best place to find out what’s happening is on the Artory App.

Things to do in Plymouth

You might be wondering what to do in Plymouth. There are many Plymouth attractions.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much in the way of a beach. BUT when you have The Plymouth Hoe who needs a beach!

You just walk 5 minutes out of the town centre and this is the view… Now that’s worth the trip alone!

Things to do in Plymouth the plymouth hoe

Plymouth is great for Scuba Diving

Yes, that’s right I said Scuba Diving in Plymouth.

Now I know it’s England and its cold (most of the time). But there is such a thing as a dry suit 😉 and with the vast number of wrecks, you can dive Plymouth is a great place to dive. In fact, Plymouth probably has more wrecks per mile than in any other part of the world. So if you like wreck diving then diving in Plymouth is a must!

Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet?

If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that you need to be prepared for anything! Travel insurance has always been high my list of things to get before I travel but now more than ever its at the top of my list.

I’m pretty sure we have all had travel plans messed up because of COVID and not all insurers covered this. So when looking for travel insurance it’s important to check it covers travel disruption due to COVID-19, Hey Mondo, Passport Nomads, Safety Wing, and Travel Insurance Master all provide cover for this.

Hey Mondo is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single trip cover, annual multi trip cover, and long term travel cover. You even have the option to start the cover when you are already on your trip, although you won’t be covered for the first 72 hours. For me my favourite feature is their app which offers you a 24/7 Dr chat and the ability to file a claim direct in the app.

Passport Nomads provides the most comprehensive cover for Digital Nomads. The game changer with them is that you have a red card and if you find yourself in need of medical care you just contact them and they will pre load your card with the funds to cover your treatment, meaning you won’t need to pay out of pocket and then put in a claim later.

Safety Wing is great value with monthly cover starting at $39. It’s super easy to use and it just renews each month. They have an excess of $250 and it’s simple to make a claim through their website. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy and I like that it renews on a monthly basis, so I don’t have to pay out a big lump sum up front.

I also use Travel Insurance Master for some short vacation type trips.

If you are doing shorter trips or an extended backpacking trip then Hey Mondo or Travel Insurance Master are the best option. If you are a digital nomad or planning travel of at least 6 months then go for Passport Nomads or SafetyWing.

The Big Prawn

I mean come on where else in the world can you see a statue of a big prawn? You can find this famous Plymouth monument on the Barbican close to the aquarium. It makes a great meeting point.

Step back in time at the Barbican

The Barbican has something for everyone; great shops (from traditional sweet shops to galleries) history (make sure you visit the Elizabethan gardens), great food and some great pubs and bars. The Plymouth Barbican is the perfect place to wander during the day and enjoy a drink in the evening.

Plymouth has the largest aquarium in the UK

Like sharks? Plymouth is home to the National Marine Aquarium, which is the largest aquarium in the UK. It even offers sleepovers with the sharks! That’s right you can sleep in the aquarium with the sharks! Unfortunately, you need a child to accompany you…small details.

The Plymouth Gin Factory

If none of the above has managed to persuade you to visit we have a Gin Factory. I mean who doesn’t love a glass of gin…or 5. They also have a really nice restaurant where you can have an evening meal

I have created a self-guided walking tour of Plymouth on Walkli so be sure to download it before your visit. This will give you an insight into Plymouth activities. They have walking tours of different places around the world so please do check it out.

It has an Art Deco Lido

The Lido. Plymouth has a 1935 Art Deco lido it is in-between Plymouth Sound and Plymouth Hoe. It’s pretty amazing and it’s a great place to spend the day when the sun is shining.

Plymouth was the last stop before the USA on the Mayflower Voyage

This one is especially for all of my American travel friends. Plymouth was the last stop where the Mayflower docked before the Pilgrim Fathers set sail on 6th September 1620 making the voyage to North America settling in Plymouth, MA. As well as visiting the Mayflower Steps there is a museum close by that documents Plymouth’s part in the Mayflower.

Things to do near Plymouth

Plymouth is on the border of Devon and Cornwall making it the perfect place to stop for a night or so. But it also makes a great city base if you want to explore the surrounding area.

You can jump in the car/ boat/ train/ bus/ bike and within 30 minutes you are out of the city and surrounded by some of the most spectacular views.

There are many things to do near Plymouth, whether you like hiking the vast open space of the Dartmoor Moors, sailing, strolling on the beach or surfing Plymouth is the perfect central place to explore from or make a pit stop on your way through to Cornwall.