minibus hire Plymouth

Plymouth, surrounded by gorgeous Devonshire countryside, is a cultured city with a strong sense of self.

Plymouth, an important royal port, has a long maritime history, dating back to 700BC. It served as a base for the royally designated pirate Sir Francis Drake in the 16th century and was the starting point for the Pilgrims' journey to colonize North America in 1620.

Plymouth's Barbican is rich in history, but it's also a popular nightlife destination, thanks to its vibrant restaurant and bar scene.

The Box is a museum, art gallery, event space, and archive, and it is one of the most recent tourist attractions to open in the South West.

Explore nine permanent galleries showcasing Plymouth's incredible treasures, ranging from ship figureheads to a full-sized reproduction woolly mammoth. Discover a rotating door of temporary exhibits from across the globe, including fashion, sculpture, culture, and more.

This well-kept art-deco lido, built from 1935, juts out into the water and offers spectacular views of the harbour.

Tinside Lido's saline water provides more buoyancy without the odour of chlorine, making it similar to swimming in the sea but without the waves, tide, and seaweed. It's no surprise that The Guardian and The Telegraph newspapers constantly identify it as one among the best lidos in the UK.

Dive into the unique British coastal charm.

The impressive seaside fortification of Plymouth was erected in the 17th century to keep an eye out for the Dutch. Its secondary purpose was to keep an eye on insurgent residents, therefore you may see that its old guns can also be rotated to face the city.

Because the Citadel is still a functioning base, you should check their website before you arrive, as tour hours are restricted. St Catherine's Chapel and the antique cannons acquired at Waterloo and The Crimea, which may be located on the parade field, are highlights. Even if history isn't your thing, there isn't a greater view of Plymouth Sound than from the Citadel walls.

While Plymouth Sound provides water sports ranging from kayaking to power boating (for more information, see the Mountbatten Centre), visitors opting for a more leisurely day out could just locate a seat on The Hoe overlooking Plymouth Sound and soak it all in

Among the vessels in this bustling port are Royal Navy ships, sailboats, ferries, and fishing boats. On a clear day, you'll also be able to see the Cornish shore. Take a boat to Cawsand's beaches and the eateries and boutique shopping of Royal William Yard.

The Barbican offers a vital physical connection to Plymouth's intriguing naval heritage in a city that was severely devastated during WWII and substantially renovated thereafter. Consider Jacobean architecture, cobblestone alleys, moored sailing boats, antique inns, art galleries, tea rooms, restaurants, and taverns.

The Pilgrim Fathers boarded The Mayflower near the Mayflower Steps, and the original passenger list may be seen on the exterior of Island House.

This was also a destination for Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Captain Cook. Night owls should stay until later in the evening, when the grog begins to flow and The Barbican lives up to its rowdy naval image.

Plymouth Gin Distillery, founded in 1793, has had over 200 years to perfect its recipe - but you'll have to be the judge of that. The tour includes an overview of the distilling process as well as a sampling of several varieties of Plymouth Gin.

The Black Friars distillery building was built in the 1400s and has previously used as a monastery, a debtor's jail, and a lodging for French Hugenot exiles. The Pilgrim Fathers even spent their last night in the structure before sailing on the Mayflower, but no gin was probably sipped.

Plymouth's National Marine Aquarium is a cut above the rest, with the largest fish tanks in the country.

Aquatic habitats are divided into four separate zones and range from the local Plymouth Sound to the Great Barrier Reef. The collection is amazing, including a 2.5-metre Lemon Shark, massive rays, and an elegant Green Turtle, all of which have appeared in natural history films.

There are some surprises as well, such as a life-size recreation of a WW2 Walrus Seaplane. You may also visit the aquarium's Laboratory to witness how new generations of aquarium dwellers are bred.