Situated on the southwest coast of England and the largest city west of Bristol, Plymouth has a wonderful setting over Plymouth Sound and an equally wonderful naval history. The city boasts many monuments and attractions, plus a charming old centre.
The views of Plymouth Sound from the grassy Hoe, where Sir Francis Drake supposedly played his leisurely game of bowls before fighting the Spanish Armada, are fantastic. Today the Hoe is the site of the high-tech Plymouth Dome, which provides a good introduction to the city. Other Hoe buildings to visit are the 17th century Royal Citadel and Smeaton's Tower, a lighthouse.
The atmospheric old harbour area is the point from where Drake, Hawkins, the Pilgrims, and many other historic expeditions set sail. Its oldest part is cobbled New Street, built in 1581, and lined with timber-framed houses. Modern Plymouth is also remarkable for Prysten House, dating from 1498, and the Merchant's House, a classic Elizabethan structure housing a lively museum.
The city is also home to an aquarium and a zoo and has many green areas, including Beaumont, Hoe, and the huge Central Park. Some of the finest restaurants can be found down at the scenic harbour, but the bulk of the nightlife is centred in the downtown area, from the Theatre Royal to a fair number of bars and excellent pubs, as well as many nightclubs.
Away from the city, Mount Edgcumbe, a relaxing mixture of meadows and sands, lies across the bay on a finger-like peninsular. If you have a car, a great day out is a trip to the popular coastal town of Torquay, famous for its balmy climate, palm trees, excellent beaches and yacht marina, all lending it a continental atmosphere. Dartmoor National Park, just north of Plymouth, is a beautifully peaceful area for the outdoor enthusiast.
Plymouth is served by the M5 motorway and A38 main road. There are rail links from London, Heathrow Airport and Bristol, and National Express coaches arrive and depart from various destinations throughout the day. Plymouth Airport is a five-minute drive and receives domestic traffic from across the UK.
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