Visiting Plymouth for the First Time

Short answer: Plymouth is a city on the water. The Hoe above the Sound, the cobbled Barbican, Royal William Yard and the free museum at The Box are the four things to do, and they are all within a short walk.

What Plymouth is

Devon's largest city, built around one of the great natural harbours in Europe. It was heavily bombed in the war, so the centre is post-war rather than historic — but the waterfront survived, and the waterfront is the reason to come.

The four things to do

Plymouth Hoe

The great open lawn high above Plymouth Sound, with Smeaton's Tower on it. Free, and the view is the best in the city.

The Barbican

The old town that survived the bombing — cobbled streets, galleries, independent shops and a working harbour. The Mayflower sailed from here.

The Box

The city museum and gallery, free, with a mammoth and a 4D history film. The best free indoor day out in Devon and barely known outside the city.

Royal William Yard

A vast 1830s naval victualling yard converted into restaurants and bars, with coastal walks around it and a ferry across to Cornwall.

If you have longer

• The National Marine Aquarium on Sutton Harbour — the UK's largest, and your ticket gives free re-entry for a year. Closed Wednesdays.
• Saltram — a National Trust estate on the eastern edge with acres of parkland.
• Dartmoor Zoo, fifteen minutes out — the charity zoo the film was based on.
• Dartmoor itself, half an hour north.

Where to eat

Fig & Thyme Kitchen on the Barbican does the best brunch in the area — arrive at opening. Pier One on the Hoe opens at seven with a log burner. The Village Restaurant on Southside Street has a good-value set lunch.

Parking, and the free bit

Devil's Point at Stonehouse gives three hours of free parking with wide views across the Sound, and you can walk round to Royal William Yard from there. Otherwise park once near the Hoe or the Barbican and walk — everything worth seeing is close together.