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Plymouth Hoe – First thing, climb up to the top
of Smeaton's Tower, (it's red and white, you can't miss it) for a
panoramic view of Plymouth Sound. Smeaton's Tower, an 18th century lighthouse,
was originally located on Eddystone Rock, and moved to The Hoe. Plenty of
grassy areas to run around and watch people playing soccer and throwing
frisbees. There are playgrounds at The Hoe and West Hoe Park. Climb
all over the anchor from the HMS Arc Royal at the north
end of Hoe Park. |
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Plymouth Dome – Visit the Plymouth Dome visitor
center for a look at Plymouth's past and present. Walk down a re-created
Elizabethan street, imagine you're on the high seas with Francis Drake,
or scan radar screens for ships off the coast of Plymouth today. |
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Barbican – Wander along the harbor and through
the old part of town. Visit the Elizabethan House (on New Street)
to see what life what like in 1580, and the Merchant's House (St.
Andrews Street) for a glimpse of old Plymouth. |
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 Stop
by the Mayflower Steps that marks the spot where the Pilgrims departed
in 1620. If you have ancestors who sailed on the Mayflower (John
Howland is our relative), look for their names on the plaque! |
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National Marine Aquarium – The aquarium features
large tanks with marine life from the Atlantic Reef, Mediterranean Sea,
Coral Sea, plus sharks, seahorses, sea turtles, and a wave tank. Of course,
you can also watch the boats go by from the Maritime Garden and Ocean View
Cafe. |
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Outside
the aquarium, there's a big playground next door. Feel like stretching
your leg? From the Aquarium, you can walk around Sutton Harbour, all the
way to the Barbican. |
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Take a cruise – A boat ride in Plymouth
is a "must do." Next to the Mayflower Steps, buy tickets for a
boat ride to Saltash. You'll sail through Plymouth Sound and up the
River Tamar, past the cruise ship terminals, Devil's Point, with stunning
views of Plymouth and the countryside from the water. |
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At Saltash, there's an impressive railway bridge, which
you can see as walk across the River Tamar on a pedestrian walkway. |
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Tip: You can take the ferry round trip from Plymouth, or take
the ferry one way, and return on the train. |
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Mount Edgcumbe Country Park – Kick
back and relax in acres of lanscaped park, plus garden buildings, remains
of forts and gun batteries, artificial ruins. Check out the grand Mount
Edgcumbe House, built in the 16th century and elegantly restored with
18th century furnishings. Plan to spend the whole day, and bring a picnic.
Playgrounds with climbing structures, tea room next to Mount Edgcumb House,
and places to just sit and skip stones on the water. |
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To get to Mt. Edgcumbe, take the ferry from Cremyll Quay (a
20 min. ride) or Mayflower Steps. |
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Crownhill Fort (Crownhill Road) –
For a change of pace, head inland to a Victorian fort. Crownhill Fort, built
in 1863, was a defense against land or sea attacks (although it never saw
real action, so it's beautifully preserved). Climb the ramparts, check out
the cannons and explore hidden tunnels at the fort. There's a daily gun
firing at 1:30pm and dress up in Victorian costumes. |
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1768. Captain
Cook's ship, Endeavour, sails from Plymouth on a three year
voyage around the world, and eleven-year old Nick Young is on board
as a stowaway! A great adventure story (and you'll be glad you aren't
sleeping in a hammock or eating breadfruit for days on end). Good
for older kids. (Chapter book)
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Charming tale of a cat who watches over the old lighthouse, Smeaton's Tower. When a storm blows out all the twenty four candles in the lantern, the cat has a bright idea. Beautifully illustrated. (Picture book)
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Sail to America with Hope and Theodore on the Mayflower, exploring the ship, waiting out a powerful storm, landing in November 1620. Plus fun facts – journal of the journey, food to eat, cannons for protection, tools for navigation, animals on board, baby born on the ship. (Picture book)
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(More children's
books on other England pages) |
