Plymouth, often overlooked by holidaymakers heading to Cornwall and Devon, has emerged as a notable cultural and historical destination, boosted by the recent success of The Box museum. The institution, formerly the Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery, reopened in 2020 following a substantial renovation and was awarded the 2023 Art Fund Museum of the Year. Tourism officials are optimistic that the recognition will attract more visitors to explore the city beyond its coastal attractions.
Located in a modern, distinctive building, The Box offers a diverse range of exhibits that reflect Plymouth’s deep maritime heritage and local history. Visitors can explore displays featuring Bronze Age artefacts, mining history, and an Ice Age woolly mammoth skeleton named Mildred. There are also naval collections such as submarine periscopes, model ships, and historical accounts of port workers known locally as ‘yardees.’ Among the museum’s highlights are a film narrated by the actress Dawn French that provides an immersive look at the city and a painting by Jules Girardet depicting Napoleon’s captivity aboard HMS Bellerophon in Plymouth Sound in 1815.
Beyond the museum, Plymouth’s waterfront and landmarks offer a rich blend of natural beauty and historical significance. Plymouth Sound, a large inlet protected by the Plymouth Breakwater, serves as a bustling harbour and a gateway to nearby sites including Drake’s Island and the extensive Devonport naval base. Harbour tours provide an hour-long perspective from the water, showcasing these features in context.
Plymouth Hoe, a green expanse overlooking the English Channel, is home to several notable landmarks, including a statue of Sir Francis Drake, commemorating his role in England’s naval history. The area also features Smeaton’s Tower, a Victorian lighthouse accessible via a climb of 93 steps, and the Tinside Lido, an Art Deco open-air swimming pool restored to its 1930s appearance.
While much of Plymouth’s city centre was destroyed by German bombing during World War II and rebuilt in a utilitarian concrete style, the Barbican district remains largely intact. This historic quarter retains narrow cobbled streets filled with pubs, restaurants, and cultural sites. Among these is the Rockfish restaurant, known for its seafood offerings such as cockles, crab croquettes, and sea bream. The Barbican also includes the Mayflower Steps, marking the embarkation point of the Pilgrim Fathers in 1620, and the National Marine Aquarium, the UK’s deepest public aquarium, which houses over 5,000 marine species.
Visitors can also find unexpected art installations inspired by the works of Beryl Cook, a local artist celebrated for her distinctive style.
Plymouth presents a compelling combination of maritime history, cultural attractions, and coastal scenery, making it a destination appealing both for day trips and extended stays. Travel options include train services from London with journey times of just over three hours and a range of accommodation options in central locations. Cruises of the harbour area are available for visitors seeking to experience the city from the water.