PLYMOUTH HOE
Large grass area with
superb views across Plymouth Sound, with its constantly changing panorama of ships and
small boats. West Hoe Fun Park
offers crazy golf, trampolines, and mini-marina with radio-controlled boats, miniature railway and giant airbed.
There is a sensory
garden on Plymouth Hoe, designed with the visually impaired in mind.
Plymouth Dome: Hoe Road, Plymouth. An award winning visitor centre for all the family.
Covering the history and geography of Plymouth from Elizabethan Times to the present day
in various formats from audio visual to interactives. New section on Lighthouses of
the Eddystone Rock. Disabled friendly; family friendly. Save money by
purchasing a 'heritage passport' to various other venues throughout the area.
Now closed (October 2006) but due to
reopen as a restaurant with an exhibition area.
Smeaton's
Tower is a very well known Plymouth landmark. It was a functional lighthouse - originally built
on the Eddystone Rock in 1759 and rebuilt on Plymouth Hoe in 1884.
For full information
visit the website by following the link above.
PLYMOUTH BARBICAN
This is the
historic heart of the city, where the Mayflower memorial commemorates the departure of the
Pilgrim Fathers for the New World. It is a mix of cobbled streets, fishing boats,
art galleries, and old buildings which escaped the ravages of the war.
Clay Art: The
Barbican, Plymouth. "Paint
Your Own Pottery" Cafe.
Adults, teens and children of all ages are welcome to drop in at any time the studio is
open. Customers select a piece of pottery, choose a design and paint. Staff
then glaze and fire the piece and it is ready for collection in a few days. Open
Tuesday to Sunday. Group bookings and birthday parties by
arrangement. Visit the website at www.clayart.co.uk
Elizabethan House: The
Barbican, Plymouth. Built in the late 16th century, it was the home of a real Tudor
Sea Captain. The house is furnished with period furniture and has a courtyard
garden. Open from 12 February 2008. Entry (2008) £1.50
adults, £1
children. (Family
Tickets and concessions available)
School visits by prior arrangement, tel: (01752) 304771.
For full information visit the website by following the link above.
Merchants House: Situated
on the west side of St. Andrew's Street,
immediately south of the Magistrate's Court. This
16th Century Jacobean town house is packed with Plymouth's social
history, including a huge variety of
curiosities plus an 1870's dolls house, a Victorian School Room, and entire pre-war local
chemist's shop and a room exploring life in the Blitz, a fascinating visit for all the
family.
For full information
visit the website by following the link above.
Mount Batten Peninsula is just a 5 minute boat ride
away from the Barbican. Formerly belonging to
the Ministry of Defence, and now redeveloped, there is access to the coastal footpath;
also waterside events, breakwater promenade, pub and waterfront tower.
National Marine Aquarium:
The Barbican, Plymouth. Contains
one of the finest collections of marine animals in Europe, including a 2.5 million litre
shark tank and a feature on the world of seahorses.
Europe's
deepest aquarium tank can be viewed near the surface, mid-water and from the sea
bed. There is a new walk through demi tunnel; also underwater shipwreck . . and
more.
Little Nippers is a new umbrella project for pre-school groups including
innovative and fun learning resources. Little Nippers Focus Boards
enable children to literally see the fish in a different light.
Pre-schools groups should telephone the Bookings Line on (01752) 275211
for more details. Explorocean
- includes exhibits
showcasing sustainable ocean-based energy sources.
There are daily talks right through the year:
11.00
a.m. Shark talk
11.30 a.m.
World of Seahorses
12.00 noon Catch of the day
1.00 p.m. Rockpool ramble
2.30 p.m. Atlantic Reef
4.00 p.m. Coral Seas
11.00 a.m. (Monday, Wednesday, Friday only) Shark feeding.
Parties admitted at special rates. Open all
year except Christmas Day. Entrance tickets
can be purchased from Tourist Information Centres. Wheelchair
access to all displays. Visit the Website at www.national-aquarium.co.uk
Plymouth Mayflower: 3 - 5 The
Barbican, Plymouth. Tel (01752) 304849. A visitor centre for all the family,
also incorporating the Tourist Information Centre.
This interactive visitor attraction chronicles the rich history of Sutton Harbour
and the Pilgrim Fathers through a series of special hands-on exhibits and displays of
artefacts. Wheelchair access and disabled toilet.
PLYMOUTH CITY CENTRE
Plymouth City Museum and Art
Gallery: Drake Circus,
Plymouth. Closed for complete
refurbishment from 25 November 2007 until May 2008.
Visit the
website.
Plymouth Pavilions: Millbay Road, Plymouth. Has something for everyone with a
skating rink, swimming pool, brand new eating area and many varied shows in the large
concert arena. Check out the Website for more information -
www.plymouthpavilions.com
Accessible
by foot ferry from Plymouth City Centre:
Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park: Cremyll,
Torpoint, Cornwall. The house is a restored Tudor mansion standing in
magnificent parkland with superb views of Plymouth Sound. Open
for the summer season Sunday to Thursday 11.00 am to 4.30 pm. For
more information visit the website at
http://www.mountedgcumbe.gov.uk/ or tel: (01752) 822236. |
