Plymouth
Plymouth
The town of Plymouth is the counties biggest city it is also one of the most important Royal Navy ports, this is due to the huge sheltered bay. Since the 12th century ships have been arriving and leaving the place and it is steeped in maritime history.
It was on Plymouth hoe that Sir Francis drake insisted on finishing his game of bowls before setting of to defeat the Spanish armada. Indeed the roll call of names associated with the place is amazing, Hawkins, Frobisher, Drake, Raleigh, Darwin, Captain Cook and the Pilgrim Fathers the list is endless.
A walk up to the hoe is top of the list of things to do, here you can look out across the sound and admire the memorials to the great explorers and sailors. In the old barbican district you can see many fine Tudor and Jacobean buildings, head for the mayflower steps to see where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail from, on the side of island house there is a list of names of the passengers. The citadel itself is a huge fortified 17th century fortress still in military use by the Commandos.
Other places of interest include the gin distillery and the national maritime museum the glass tunnels enable you to admire the sea life swimming above and around you.
The town suffered during the Second World War as an obvious target for air raids, however it is now remerging as a place to visit with fine restaurants and cafes together with a new shopping centre this popular university the town is enjoying a burst of energy and change.
Activities in Plymouth
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