iKnow Devon
Plymouth Accommodation
Visit The Merchants House, Plymouth to explore Elizabethan life
Women fish industry workers in Plymouth. At the Plymouth City Museum
Smeaton's Tower Lighthouse, Plymouth Hoe
Tinside Deco Lido on the Plymouth Coast, now beautifully renovatedPlymouth Devon Attractions, Plymouth Barbican, Plymouth Hoe & Museums
Plymouth Attractions Devon, what a choice! You'll need at least a couple of days to take in the full array of Plymouth maritime attractions from Plymouth Hoe to city central Plymouth Museum and Art Gallery, to the uniquely restored Grade II listed deco Tinside Lido right on Plymouth promenade on Hoe Road.
Plymouth has got it just right, with a beautifully refurbished harbour and quay lined with chic bars and restaurants, a backdrop of narrow streets lined with quirky specialist shops and little art galleries, and a choice of things to do from a superb aquarium to a selection of Elizabethan Merchant houses sitting precariously amongs modern buildings. Check out the superb Mayflower exhibition on the Barbican, Plymouth's maritime village with a history all it's own which is also explored in the Mayflower exhibition. Theatres, superb art galleries, inlcuding the Annexe and Robert O'Lenkiewicz, cinemas and arts centres, arts and crafts heritage and the social history of a harbour telling many a story of labour in the fishing industry and migration from poverty. This Devon university city is a cultural hotspot and more, take time to explore.
Smeaton's Tower and Plymouth Hoe
Plymouth past and present - where should one head to find out more?
Smeaton's Tower dates from the 18th century (1759) and once stood far out to sea on the Eddystone Reef. It was brought brick by brick to Plymouth Hoe and rebuilt by the Victorians as it stands today. The stump still sits out on the reef and you can see this on a clear day. It's well worth taking the trip up Smeaton's tower not just to see the spectacular view across Plymouth Sound at the top, but also to catch a glimpse of the interior of this historic 18th century lighthouse. One Edward Hopper certainly missed! Of particular interest is the Dome's focus on the Plymouth Blitz in 'Target Plymouth', a superb audio-visual exhibition of the Blitz. It's been recently updated and now includes some previously unseen footage of the massive devastation inflicted on Plymouth during the Second World War - a must see!
Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery
Ready for a fascinating social history journey through Plymouth past and present, with a focus on the working and social lives of Plymouth residents from women working in the fish packing industry, to families and their lives and experiences on Plymouth Housing Estates - well if you're ready check out the superb Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery on Drakes Circus. They have some superb changing exhibitions here as well, especially on the art side.
Plymouth Maritime history is of course a major theme, with a constant nod to Plymouth's role as a gateway to the sea and wider world of both exploration and emigration. A forthcoming display of historic images - SeaPlymouth - Cateway City - will display images, paintings and archives looking at the voyages of Captain James Scott, the Mayflower Pilgrims' journey, and Skis and bone models made by prisoners held captive in the area during the Napoleonic war.
Special museums like this one are usually linked to a good local authority archive centre, and in this case it's the Plymouth & Wst Devon Record Office, Clare Place, Plymouth (tel: 01752 305940). There's some good work going on here, and it shows in the exhibitions. Take the People's Plymouth exhibtions focusing on hubs of community in Plymouth past and present like the beautiful deco Grade II listed Tinside Lido, now beautifully restored. There are various photos of the Lido in this museum, as well as workers in industry, a focus on union activity, and a surprise exhibition on Scott of the Antarctic, who hailed from Plymouth did you know?! Voices of Plymouth people are everywhere, in interactive audio and visual displays. Move on to the art galleries to explore the work of local artists like Joshua Reynolds and the 18th century Cottonian Collection of bronzes, paintings and ceramics is internationally renowned. Check the web link to the right for changing exhibitions.
Admission to the Plymouth City Museum and Art Galler is absolutely free, as are the many talks and workshops on local history taking place throughout the year here. Opening times for Museum are from Tuesday-Friday: 10.00am-5.30pm, and on Saturday: 10.00am-5.00pm. It's also open Bank Holiday Mondays, 10.00am-5.00pm. Wheelchair access is excellent, with level access to the rear (Tavistock Place), and inside there is a lift to all floors. Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AJ, tel: 01752 304774.
The Elizabethan House & Merchants House, Plymouth
Two particular historic Elizabethan Houses have been fortunately preserved in Plymouth, and well worth strolling along to have a look at. Their preservation is amazing in itself, particular the dramatic jutting out structure of the Merchants House, which looks rather precariously balanced. The Elizabethan House on the Barbican is no less than 400 years old and was once the home of an Elizabethan sea captain, Oh ahh! You're taken back to Sir Francis Drake's Plymouth here. The interior is that of a merchant's home, with low ceilings, sloping floors, period furniture, wooden beams and all the rest. A very different haven from today's homes (presumably they were a bit shorter in those days).
Check out also the wonderfully preserved Merchants House on St Andrews Street, Plymouth. It jutts out between modern buildings in a most interesting mish-mash effect. Inside there is a recreation of a Chemists Shop, for added interest! If the interiors are a little twee, this doesn't distract for the fascinating opportunity to get a sense of the layout of homes from the Elizabethan period. These were the homes of wealthy merchants, and the privileged it's worth bearing in mind!
The Elizabethan House, 32 New Street, The Barbican, Plymouth. Tel: 01752 304774, Open from Easter to September inclusive, Teus - Saturdays, 10am-5pm and Bank Holiday Mondays, last entries 4.30pm. Adults £1.30/Children 80p. Concessions are in operation.
The Merchants House, 33 St Andrews Street, Plymouth. Tel: 01752 304774/304381. Open Apr - 22 Sept Tue - Fri 10.00 - 1.00pm & 2.00 - 5.30pm. Sat & Bank Holiday Mon 10.00 - 1.00pm & 2.00 - 5.00pm. Adult £1.10, Child £0.60p.
Tinside Lido, Plymouth Hoe Road
Lido Deco magic in Plymouth in unexpected joy of joys, the renovation of Tinside Lido on Hoe Road, Plymouth. This superbly ornate deco lido, which ranks up there with Saltdean Lido near Brighton (also to be renovated), was built in 1935. It fell into disrepair in the 1980s, but due to some superb renovation work and eek - partnerships - Tinside Lido rides again and opens it's doors from the end of May to beginning of September every year. Even when this spectacular lido isn't open in Winter it's worth having a good look at this marvellous 1930s listed lido, especially if you're a lido fanatic!! If only some of the old Butlins complexes were doing as well as the old Lidos. In memory of Filey Butlins, may she rest in peace!
Tinside is a blending of both Art Deco and International style, and was finally awarded listed status in 1998. This beautifully appointed semi-circular pool, sort of symetric, is a joy to behold with it's three fountains or cascades. Tinside was, and now is again, particularly spectacular at night when they floodlit it, and the fountains used to have chaning colour lights - fantastic.
The original designer in 1935 was S. Wibberley, a City Engineer. He designed not just the lido pool, but the surrounding dramatic complex of buildings, all incased in the cliffside. The surrounding main building is a bit more of a harsh modernist style, with it's reinforced concrete. Note the beautiful flat sun terrace roof - superb.
Tinside Lido, Hoe Road, Plymouth. Tel: 0870 3000 042. The Lido is open end of May to beginning of September.
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