Experience Plymouth - Autumn & Winter 2022/23

1 HOUR HARBOUR CRUISE

CREMYLL, ROYAL WILLIAM YARD & CAWSAND FERRY SERVICES

Ferry

Edgcumbe

iconic

William Yard - range of

full of Cornish

the water;

shops and bars.

sandy beaches.

CALSTOCK, BREAKWATER, RIVER YEALM & LYNHER CRUISES

3.5 HOUR FISH ‘N’ TRIPS

THEMED FAMILY CRUISES & ADULT PARTIES

welcome to Plymouth

Britain's Ocean City

Situated in one of the most beautiful locations imaginable, Plymouth is sandwiched between the incredible South West coastline and the wild beauty of Dartmoor National Park.

There’s everything you’d expect to find in a cool, cultural city, with great shopping, arts and entertainment. With the wide expanse of Plymouth Sound National Marine Park on our doorstep we’ve got plenty of opportunities to dive in, enjoy the water and learn more about the wildlife that lives beneath the waves. Whether you’re into sailing, wild swimming, paddleboarding or marine conservation, there’s plenty to dip your toe into during your visit.

There’s also hundreds of years of history to uncover, from Sir Francis Drake and the Spanish Armada to a city rebuilt following the Blitz during World War II. Make sure to take a visit to our city’s incredible museum, The Box, to find out all about our fascinating history and see the incredible exhibitions on display. Rain or shine, Britain’s Ocean City is home to breath-taking views, plenty to see and do and lots of fresh, sea air.

Explore the waterfront, shop ‘til you drop or experience world-class events. There’s nowhere quite like it –let us show you around.

While every care has been taken in the accuracy of producing this guide, the publisher is not liable for any errors or omissions which may occur. All information is correct at time of going to print, October 2022.

Please follow the latest guidance regarding Covid-19 restrictions.

For more information on planning your visit, head to: visitplymouth.co.uk Follow Visit Plymouth @visitplymouth on socials

10 waysto keep the family happy this autumn and winter

Family members of all ages will love a day out together in Plymouth. Here are our ten suggestions for fun activities that will keep both young and old family members entertained, so all you need to do is head out and make some treasured memories!

Get on your skateboard and try your jumps and freewheeling skills in Plymouth’s only indoor skatepark. Over three huge warehouses, Prime Skatepark has a dizzying number of bespoke ramps and fun obstacles for all abilities. Absolute beginners can book a tutorial session and there are scooter classes too.

You’ll find the National Marine Aquarium on our historic harbour. It’s the largest aquarium in the UK, with over 4,000 ocean animals to meet including sharks, seahorses, stingrays and Friday, a very cheeky Green Turtle.

There’s more to trampolining than just bouncing up and down – try taking the sport to the next level at Supertramp in Plymouth. They have loads of trampoline activities – try a new kind of basketball, dodgeball and volleyball or have a go at interactive wall running. They have a tot’s club for under 5s and family sessions so no-one is left out of the fun.

….get set and go! Get back to nature and enjoy fun and games in Central Park. Stroll around 200 acres of parkland or enjoy a number of sports. Kick a football or rugby ball around, have a go at baseball, play tennis and traditional golf or try frisbee and football golf. There’s also an outdoor skatepark and huge children’s play area. The grass-roofed meadow café will keep you fuelled up during your adventures with a good selection of food and drink.

If the weather’s too wet and cold to be outside then you can always head indoors at the Life Centre in the middle of Central Park. Follow in the footsteps of Plymouth’s sporting stars Tom Daley and Tonya Couch and enjoy the Olympic size swimming pool, toddler pool and waterslides. There’s a café and creche onsite too.

6 Discover something new

The Box, our incredible museum, art gallery and cultural centre, tells stories of the past and present with a changing programme of exhibitions and collections of amazing objects, including over two million artefacts! With free entry to the museum, and a jam-packed calendar of exhibitions, including the British Art Show later this year, no two visits are the same.

5 Dive In

7 Have fun at The Barcode

At Drake Circus The Barcode, in the city centre, you’ll find plenty of fun for all the family and it’s perfect for a rainy day. Paradise Island Adventure Golf is home to two 18-hole courses or try a selection of games at Boom Battle Bar, while Cineworld boasts 12 screens, including IMAX and 4DX for an unbeatable cinema experience! Here you’ll also find a great range of family-friendly eateries, such as Las Iguanas and Five Guys

Wrap up and head over to the historic Grade II listed Devonport Park for great views of Devonport Dockyard and River Tamar. There are tennis courts and football fields, a huge adventure playground, heritage trail and holds regular activities in and around the bandstand and pavilion café. Its acclaimed children’s Soapbox Theatre holds regular performances for kids of all ages.

Take a short drive from Plymouth city centre and visit the National Trust’s Saltram House. The beautiful Georgian mansion is set in rolling parkland with lots of walks suitable for all abilities and ages. Bird lovers can spot the residents of the duckpond next to the play area and there are children’s trails and woodland walks.

10 Immerse yourself in a new experience

The Market Hall in Devonport is home to a huge 15 metre immersive dome, the only one of its kind in Europe. Here you can enjoy amazing shows and events that allow you to explore immersive realities without the need for a VR headset.

Shopping

Shop ‘til you drop in Britain’s Ocean City, with an amazing mix of top brand names and creative independents to discover.

In the city centre, you’ll find big name brands and great independent shops side by side, all housed within incredible post-war architecture.

Drake Circus offers the ultimate shopping and leisure experience, with a great range of high street stores as well as places to eat, drink and relax.

Stroll down to the West End, the city’s independent quarter and home to Plymouth Market which boasts 140 stalls and some of the best-rated eateries serving up cuisines from all around the world.

Just outside of the city centre, Ebrington Street offers a quirky street of independent stores, with a social enterprise pub, the Bread and Roses, and some great coffee shops.

Plymouth’s waterfront is a treasure trove of independent shops, filled with treats for you, your home, your friends – or to eat! It’s a great place to browse and find something completely unique.

A wander along Southside Street on the Barbican is a treat for lovers of art and homewares. Pop into the many boutiques and galleries lining the road, selling everything from original paintings and stunning glass pieces to homemade candles and house plants.

Further along the waterfront, Royal William Yard is a thriving hub for many Plymouth businesses and retailers with fashion, beauty, food and drink and local artists on site and regular markets offering a range of artisan products.

What's on thisautumn & winter

In Plymouth no day is alike, there are festivals, events, shows and hands-on activities taking place everyday and every season.

This autumn and winter look out for:

8 Oct-23 Dec

British Art Show

5 Nov

Bonfire Night

17 Nov Centre Christmas lights switch on

19 Nov

Barbican Christmas lights switch on 1-18 Dec

Plymouth Christmas Market

With late night shopping, pantomimes, theatre shows, workshops, live music events, talks, tours and more you will be spoilt for choice, check out our full listings of events at visitplymouth.co.uk.

Looking for fresh local produce prepared by some of the best chefs, ready to be enjoyed in the finest locations? You’ve come to the right place.

Over the last few years there has been an explosion of new restaurants and cafes in Plymouth making it a real food lover’s destination city. Located in the heart of Devon and Cornwall, our chefs are able to take advantage of sourcing some of the finest, freshest ingredients from both land and sea.

In the city centre you’ll find some of the biggest culinary names, like Marco Pierre White’s Steakhouse Bar and Grill in the Crowne Plaza. On the historic Barbican you’ll discover the West Country’s homegrown talent like Chris and James Tanner at the Barbican Kitchen and Mitch Tonks’ Rockfish. In the Royal William Yard, you’ll find high street favourites like Seco Lounge and Wagamama.

As well as food, there are countless breweries, distilleries and wineries across the region creating local tipples that rival the best from around the globe. Plymouth is the home to world-leading Plymouth Gin but also has local producers like Barbican Botanicals which distils its own brand of delicious rum and gin and Roam which brews its own beer.

So, take a break and get in out of the cold and pull up a chair at one of our great eateries. In Britain’s Ocean city there’s something to suit everyone’s palette and pocket.

The Fig Tree @ 36

Tucked away on Admiralty Street in the heart of Stonehouse, not far from the bustling Royal William Yard, this cosy, family-run bistro has been piling up awards since it opened in 2017. Using the best of locally sourced ingredients why not take pot luck on a Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday evening and enjoy a 3-course ‘Trust the Chef’ experience and leave the choosing to the experts!

Knead Pizza

This great pizza experience started life on a stall in the Pannier Market and has recently moved into one of Plymouth’s oldest buildings, Prysten House on Finewell Street. Owners Holly and Ali source as many local, fresh ingredients as possible for their contemporary toppings - everything else comes direct from Italy. This means they can serve the lightest, most mouth-watering, flame-cooked Neapolitan-style pizza this side of the Trevi Fountain.

Mama Rita’s Kitchen

If you enjoy Afro Caribbean cooking then you’ll love Mama Rita’s on Mayflower Street. Freshly cooked to order you’ll get an authentic taste with jerk chicken, curried goat, patties and salt and fried fish which will make your mouth water. There’s an extensive vegetarian menu too. It’s not fast food – but it’ll definitely be worth the wait!

Pier Master’s House

With views of the Mayflower Steps and the bustling entry to Sutton Harbour, Pier Master’s House is the perfect waterfront location. The former bustling emigration station has been modernised for you to enjoy a delicious breakfast, brunch, evening meal or relaxing drink. The heated outside pier is sheltered so you can enjoy an alfresco experience come rain or shine.

Harbourside

Once the home of a glassblowing house – the award-winning Harbourside fish and chip restaurant couldn’t be closer to the sea if it tried! Located

next door to Plymouth’s old fish market, all of its produce comes from sustainable sources and is fried in groundnut oil; gluten-free is available too. As well as traditional battered fish, grilled fish is on the menu and you’ll also have the chance to try different species of seafood in keeping with their responsible environmental aims.

Zephyr Burger

If only a burger will do then head over to Zephyr Burger just next to The Box on Drakes Circus. And what a burger! This independent restaurant may have begun life in a van, but the quality of their cheeseburgers has ensured success. They use the highest graded beef from small farms, which is ‘smashed’ to order (pressed into a hot griddle - which we’re assured produces the most amazing crust). Enjoy with sides of fries, pickled watermelon or mac and cheese.

Lisbon Bakery and Restaurant

On Frankfort Gate there's the traditional taste of Portugal – so as well as a menu groaning with delicious seafood and pork dishes – it also means the worldfamous pastel de nata or custard tarts. Served warm they melt in the mouth and so one probably won’t be enough so you’ll need a coffee and order a couple!

Hutong

Just outside Royal William Yard is Hutong. Small but beautifully formed, this café is one of the mustvisits for coffee aficionados. They make their own bagels inhouse and they come stuffed with salmon, salt beef mushrooms and more. And if you fancy something sweet they stock a large variety of locally sourced cakes.

Suphas

Head to Suphas Street Food Emporium on Sutton Harbour for a real taste of Asian street food. The open kitchen serves up cuisine with influences from Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Chefs will chat to you to see how you’d like your food prepared and you can choose from locally sourced fish, meat and vegetarian dishes.

YOU’RE INVITED TO THE UK’S

most touringambitiousexhibition ofcontemporary art

RIGHT HERE IN PLYMOUTH!

From 8 October to 23 December (8 January at The Box), this is your chance to see the work of some of the country’s most exciting artists, in a free exhibition that only visits four cities across the country, once every five years.

British Art Show 9 showcases art produced by 37 different artists from 2015 up to now; a period that begins with Britain voting to leave the European Union and closes with the still unfolding COVID-19 pandemic.

The artists in British Art Show 9 use film, photography, painting, sculpture and performance to highlight and respond to this complex time; exploring new modes of resistance and imagining a more hopeful time.

Their projects often blur the boundaries between art and life; imagining alternative futures and different ways of living together that focus on collaboration, care and the things we have in common.

Whether you’re an avid art-lover or a first-time visitor, don’t miss this opportunity to see this blockbuster exhibition with family, friends or yourself, in four of the city’s best arts venues.

Water a loadof winter fun

Plymouth’s spectacular waterfront has earned it the title of Britain’s Ocean City and the stunning natural harbour of Plymouth Sound is now home to the UK’s first National Marine Park.

The sea offers us significant wellbeing benefits and the National Marine Park aims to make it easier for us all to enjoy those as well as protecting our marine environment and heritage.

Businesses across the city are helping to take care of our blue and green

spaces thanks to the internationally recognised Green Tourism scheme, making them more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Our ‘Park in the Sea’ is open to be enjoyed by everyone – whether they want to paddle in it, explore its rockpools and coastline or get out, on and in it with a variety of boat trips and watersports activities.

It may be colder and wetter outside but there’s still lots to do and get involved in.

Here’s some activities you might enjoy:

1 WILD SWIMMING

The craze for wild swimming doesn’t stop when summer finishes. Join one of the groups who swim off Tinside Beach in Plymouth Sound and Firestone Bay at Devils Point all year round but make sure you check the tides and weather reports before safely taking a dip.

2 STAND UP PADDLEBOARDING (SUP)

South West SUP will be out on the water throughout the winter with their ever-popular Social Paddles. Weather dependent, these hour-long trips are run by qualified instructors and are suitable for those with some SUP experience. All kit is provided.

3 BOAT TRIPS

There is still the chance to get out on the water and enjoy a 1-hour harbour cruise from the Barbican Landing Stage with Plymouth Boat Trips. Get a different perspective and see spectacular views of Plymouth and Cornwall from the water, as you travel across the Sound and up the River Tamar to see the warships and submarines. The reduced winter timetable is in operation and all sailings are subject to the weather and passenger numbers.

4 MOUNT EDGCUMBE

The country park, which is only just across the river in Cornwall, has 7km of coastline and several designated walks to discover - what could be better than a bracing winter walk along the coast? Just hop on the foot ferry at Cremyll and explore.

5 MOUNT BATTEN CENTRE

The Mount Batten Centre team are experts in getting you out and in the water and hold kayak, SUP, dingy and more courses from their prime waterside location. It may be winter but there’s still the opportunity to get out and enjoy watersportsbut it’s all dependent on the weather so you’ll have to check ahead what’s happening.

6 SOUTH WEST COAST PATH

Unlock the secrets of some of Plymouth’s past by exploring the section of the South West Coast Path which runs along the city’s waterfront. Stroll from Admiral’s Hard in Stonehouse to Jennycliff –look out for signs and clues to the city’s past along the route.

7 NATIONAL MARINE AQUARIUM

Go underwater while keeping your feet dry! Explore the secrets of the deep and find out what’s living in the waters off our coastline at the National Marine Aquarium. The aquarium is home to 4,000 animals from sharks to seahorses - which you can enjoy no matter what the weather has in store outside.

8 THE BOX

Plymouth is home to the largest naval base in western Europe and you can find out more about its links with both the Royal and Merchant navies in the ‘Port of Plymouth’ exhibition. Before you even get to the gallery, prepare to marvel at the sight of 14 huge carved wooden ships figureheads suspended in mid-air!

Heritage and culture

Rich in heritage and culture, there’s a lot to delve into in Plymouth Immerse yourself in a wondrous world of exploration as you walk in the footsteps of adventurers and explorers and discover hundreds of years of history, or be inspired by the city’s lively cultural scene and see stunning art or an unforgettable theatre show.

II byAntony Gormley,West Hoe Pier

The Mayflower Steps and Mayflower Museum

Just over 400 years ago, the Mayflower Pilgrims set off from Plymouth on their famous journey across the Atlantic in search of a new life. Visit the monument marking their departure on the Barbican, then head across the road to the museum to learn more about the journey – including the reasons they left, the challenges they faced and the impact it had.

The Box Plymouth’s new cultural destination, boasts nine permanent galleries filled with objects from the city’s human history, natural history, art, media, photographic and archive collections. Its treasured collections include more than 15,000 works of art, including prominent artists such as Sir Joshua Reynolds. In the museum you’ll see incredible objects, from thousands of pickled marine creatures to a gigantic woolly mammoth!

Plymouth Trails App

There's a great range of free walking trails to follow on the app, where you can findout more about Plymouth’s fascinating past and present. Download it on iOS or Android for free!

Theatres

Plymouth is home to two brilliant theatres that host a wide range of productions: Theatre Royal Plymouth is one of the UK's largest regional producing theatres, and the Barbican Theatre being a regional centre of excellence for young and emerging creatives.

Royal William Yard

A former Royal Navy victualling yard, this stunning collection of Grade II listed buildings has been transformed into one of Plymouth’s coolest spots, with a real contemporary vibe. Soak up the vibrant café culture, tuck into lunch at one of the great restaurants or take a stroll by the sea, climbing the staircase that links the Yard to the South West Coast Path.

Plymouth Gin

The home of Plymouth’s most famous export, Black Friars Distillery is the oldest working gin distillery in England. Make sure you pop in for a tour, where you can even make your own gin and stop by the shop to pick up a souvenir.

Five placesfor the perfect cosy drink

When the weather’s blustery, cold and wet there’s nothing better than snuggling up in a comfy seat and enjoying a warming tot of something good to drink and satisfying to eat.

Here’s five places that are almost guaranteed to warm your cockles!

THE RUM BAR AT THE HOOK AND LINE

In keeping with its location within the former Royal Naval buildings in the historic Royal William Yard, the Hook and Line is encouraging the benefits of a tot of rum! Until 1970 Royal Navy sailors would get a daily shot of rum. Keep out the cold winds with their speciality rum mixers - You could even be tempted to enjoy some of their locally caught fish and chips!

THE DUKE OF CORNWALL HOTEL

You don’t have to be a resident to enjoy the cosy comforts of the Duke. Just step through the revolving doors of this Victorian gothic gem and head to the panelled lounge bar where a roaring fire awaits. Sink into a leather chair and catch up with friends with a drink or something to eat from the bar menu.

BARBICAN BOTANICALS

Located in a beautiful 17th Century house, the Gin Room has an atmosphere of a comfortable old home and is the perfect escape from the bustle of the Barbican. Sit in comfort indoors or take advantage of heated outside booths in the medieval garden.

THE CUSTOM HOUSE

For 190 years this building’s inhabitants were feared by the many smugglers and vagabonds who made their living from illegally importing wines and spirits. Today it’s a cosy spot to freely enjoy a drink or bite to eat. The cellar bar is a warm and intimate brick-vaulted space, while the atmospheric Long Room has huge windows overlooking the Barbican making it the perfect place to escape the worst of the winter weather.

THE FISHERMAN’S ARMS

There aren’t many pubs which have immortalised their resident dog in a beer but you can order a Mr Jones in this traditional old pub! The beer, created by local brewers Summerskills Brewery, is served in a warm atmosphere with an open fire and candlelit tables. Sit and relax just minutes away from the Mayflower Steps. If you fancy homemade food then Sunday is roast day and there’s an extensive menu for the rest of the week.

Enjoy an incredible day out