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Pictures of Plymouth

in the county of Devon

Plymouth, Devon

About Plymouth

This is a city that evokes stirring memories of England's great maritime past. Think of Plymouth and immediately great seafaring figures from the past spring to mind; in the 17th-century the Pilgrim Fathers stopped here en-route for the New World in the Mayflower, Captain James Cook and Charles Darwin sailed from here and standing on the Hoe is a prominent statue of Sir Francis Drake which commemorates his connections with the town.

Plymouth is built between the esturies of the River Tamar and the River Plym and spanning the Tamar to the north of the city are two bridges. The Royal Albert is a railway bridge, completed in 1859 to a design by Brunel and the other is a single span suspension road bridge built to a graceful, modern design very much in keeping with the new city that was rebuilt after the devastations of the second world war when Plymouth suffered appalling bomb damage.

The great naval dockyard at Devonport on the western side of the city was established in 1691 and remains the largest of it's kind in England today. Further round the coast is Sutton Harbour, named after the fishing village that became Plymouth in the year 1231. The voyage of the Pilgrim Fathers' is commemored by the steps in the harbour which carry their ship's name. King Charles II ordered the building of a Citadel which was completed in the 1670's It stands, as if to guard the harbour, on the eastern edge of the Hoe and from it's ramparts are fine views across the sound.

Some beautiful Tudor houses are to be found in the Barbican area, many of which were built by wealthy merchants who made vast fortunes from the sea. The fine Elizabethan House in New Street was once a merchant's home. Also, in New Street, is the Mayflower Stone.

All around Plymouth is the flavour of the sea and the great events connected with it and perhaps the most vivid of these memories is the picture of Sir Francis Drake who is famously reputed to have completed a game of Bowls before joining his ship to engage the fleet of the Spanish Armada.in 1588.

These day's Plymouth is often used as a stopping off point for tourists travelling to Europe, it is though a lovely resort in it's own right. There are many wonderful old buildings to be seen, much to do and to explore. Navy days' are held at the end of August when the town is bright with the sight of young men and women in their immaculate naval attire. There are theatres, museums, art galleries and excellent up to the minute shopping facilities with all major high street stores being represented. There is an aquarium and indoor and outdoor swimming pools. There are sailing schools and sailing clubs. You should not leave without taking in a fishing trip or a trip along the river for this beautiful city and the famous coastal spots that surround it are best enjoyed off shore.


Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Plymouth

The Merchantant's House(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)Pictures
Royal Citadel, Plymouth(0.2 miles, 0.4 km)Pictures
Mount Edgcumbe Country Park(2.2 miles, 3.6 km, direction SW)Pictures
Saltram House(2.4 miles, 3.9 km, direction E)Pictures
Antony House(4.3 miles, 6.9 km, direction W)Pictures
Old Mother Hubbard's Cottage(6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction E)Pictures
Dartmoor Wildlife Park(6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction NE)Pictures
Buckland Abbey(7.7 miles, 12.3 km, direction N)Pictures
Seaton Valley Country Park(11.3 miles, 18.2 km, direction W)Pictures
Burgh Island(12.1 miles, 19.5 km, direction SE)Pictures
The Monkey Sanctuary(12.4 miles, 20.0 km, direction W)Pictures
Tavistock Abbey(12.4 miles, 20.0 km, direction N)Pictures
Merrivale Prehistoric Settlement(13.3 miles, 21.4 km, direction N)Pictures
The Old Guildhall and Gaol(14.1 miles, 22.7 km, direction W)Pictures
Dartmeet(16.4 miles, 26.5 km, direction NE)Pictures

All attractions in Plymouth
All attractions in Devon
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Plymouth

Cawsand, a Picturesque Village in the county of Cornwall (4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction SW)
A picturesque ex-smuggling village in Cornwall
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Saltash, in the county of Cornwall (4.4 miles, 7.1 km, direction NW)
Famous for its two great bridges than span the River Tamar, this little town, known as 'the gateway to Cornwall' is both pretty and interesting.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Brixton, in the county of Devon (4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction E)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Rame, in the county of Cornwall (4.8 miles, 7.8 km, direction SW)
This lovely place is a nature lovers paradise. There is an abundance of wildlife including rare and beautiful birds to be occasionally seen and heard fluttering around their peaceful woodland habitat.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Newton Ferrers, a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon (5.8 miles, 9.4 km, direction SE)
A place of sheer enchantment with narrow streets crammed with characterful properties, leading down to the estuary where many small boats are beached and moored.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Yelverton, in the county of Devon (8.7 miles, 14.1 km, direction N)
Yelverton, by-passed by the picturesque River Meavy is situated on the south-western fringes of Dartmoor. It is a quaint little town surrounded by fine scenery with easy access to some of the loveliest places on Dartmoor.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Callington, in the county of Cornwall (12.1 miles, 19.4 km, direction NW)
The little town of Callington can be found a short distance from the River Tamar and is close to the River Lynher, in a quiet region which was once known for its prosperous tin mines.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Tavistock, a Historic Market Town in the county of Devon (12.5 miles, 20.0 km, direction N)
This pleasant market town plays host to what is possibly Devon's most entertaining annual fair, the Goose Fair, normally...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Millendreath, in the county of Cornwall (13.2 miles, 21.3 km, direction W)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Princetown, in the county of Devon (13.8 miles, 22.1 km, direction NE)
Princetown is the highest village within the Dartmoor National Park, some call it the bleakest centre of the moors which is probably largely due to the town being the home of notorious Dartmoor Prison.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Looe, a Picturesque Village in the county of Cornwall (14.0 miles, 22.6 km, direction W)
In far off medieval times both East and West Looe were granted a charter and each retained its own identity for several centuries.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Two Bridges, in the county of Devon (15.1 miles, 24.2 km, direction NE)
Two Bridges is the junction of the two major routes across central Dartmoor, and thus attracts a lot of visitors in the summer.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Hope, in the county of Devon (15.1 miles, 24.3 km, direction SE)
Despite having a picturesque little bay known as Hope Cove which has a picturesque harbour at its northern end, what really stuns all who visit is the sight of waves lashing against the scattered rocks flanking the cove.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Dartmeet, a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon (16.4 miles, 26.5 km, direction NE)
A popular tourist and beauty spot on Dartmoor. It is the meeting point of the two major tributaries of the River Dart: the East...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Kingsbridge, in the county of Devon (16.7 miles, 26.8 km, direction E)
Long ago, Kingsbridge was a thriving port, these days it is an interesting holiday destination providing year long excitement for boating enthusiasts and a wealth sandy beaches and lovely coves for those who simply wish to laze beside the sea.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Devon
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Plymouth Station(0.8 miles, 1.3 km)
Devonport Station(1.7 miles, 2.8 km, direction W)
Plymouth City Airport(3.8 miles, 6.1 km, direction N)
M5 Junction 31(34.7 miles, 55.8 km, direction NE)
M5 Junction 30(37.9 miles, 61.0 km, direction NE)
Newquay (Cornwall) Airport(38.7 miles, 62.2 km, direction W)
Plymouth to London(191.9 miles, 308.7 km, direction NE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Plymouth

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Plymouth center
Jurys Inn Plymouth(0.1 miles, 0.1 km)
Copthorne Hotel Plymouth(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
Holiday Inn Plymouth(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)
Riviera(0.5 miles, 0.9 km)
Jewells Guest Accomodation(0.5 miles, 0.9 km)
Grosvenor Hotel(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)
The Astor Hotel(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)
Rosaland Hotel(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)
The New Continental(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
Quality Hotel Plymouth(0.7 miles, 1.1 km)
All hotels in Plymouth

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