iKnow Devon
Plymouth Accommodation
Tinside glorious deco Lido is now open to the public in Plymouth!
Plymouth Aquarium. A great family Plymouth attraction
Great specialist shopping in Plymouth, just behind the Barbican Harbour area
Relax in one of Plymouth's many bars/cafes on Plymouth QuayPlymouth Leisure Sailing Yachting Watersports Swimming Cinema and Theatre
Plymouth is a university city by the sea, combining an array of cultural pursuits with a diverse range of outdoor pursuits. There's a focus on watersports as you'd expect from it's location. In Plymouth it's easy to hook into a bit of sailing or yachting, a choice of swimming venues including the historic Tinside Lido now reopened, a superb ice rink at Plymouth Pavillions, and a spot of golf at the many golf courses in and around Plymouth.
Family fun days out galore in Plymouth. How about painting your own pottery at the Clay Art centre on Southside St or check out one of the best aquariums in the country - watch out for the twilight zone! You certainly won't run out of ideas and things to do on the leisure side in Plymouth. A great Devon city break for all the family!
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.
More than £4 million have been spent on restoring this beautiful Lido, as well as strengthening and renovating the Colonnades which are also Listed. which sweep above the structure. The renovation has been thorough, with a new plant room, new anchoring of the pool to the bedrock with piles and a modern filtration system has been installed.
Tinside Lido, Hoe Road, Plymouth. Tel: 0870 3000 042. The Lido is open end of May to beginning of September. There is a large outdoor salt water pool set in a Grade II listed art deco building. The pool has 3 fountains, as well as a swim shop, inflatable fun sessions, poolside catering, sun bathing terraces/loungers/deckchairs for hire, hire of wetsuits, birthday parties and schools and group bookings welcome plus various events are held at the lido such as the Fireworks Championships in August. Good value season tickets are available for unlimited swimming during public sessions all summer.
More Plymouth Swimming Pools
If you like swimming, you'll love Plymouth! On the indoor swimming pool side check out a choice of three venues including Central Park Swimming Pool, Outland Road, Plymouth PL2 3DG. Also, there's Plympton Swimming Pool, Harewood Park, Plympton, Plymouth PL7 3AS. Finally on the indoor swimming pool side, there's Seaton Swimming Pool, Brest Road, Crownhill, Plymouth PL6 5XN. All three swimming pools offer a choice of water entertainment, including swimming lessons, aquafit and aquajogging, and lots of inflatable fun sessions with giant inflatable Terror Dactyl, Red Bug, Biga Saurus, a ski slide and lots more. For Central Park indoor pool Tel: 0870 3000 010, Plympton Pool Tel: 0870 30000 020 and Seaton Pool tel: 0870 3000 030.
As well as the superb listed deco Tinside Lido outdoor pool, there is also Mount Wise Swimming Pool, James Street, Plymouth, PL1 4HG. Check out the Plymouth City Council Tourism and Leisure web link to the right for full details on access and opening times.
Plymouth does swimming entertainment with style. Another key swimming venue for all the family in Plymouth is the Atlantis Swimming pool complex at Plymouth Pavilions. This de-luxe swimming experience has no less than two slides, a sloping beach area and a jacuzzi. For more information see the Plymouth Pavilions information below and visit their web link to the right for opening times. If you're a realy spots fanatic you could glide round the ice skating rink there before or after your swim!
Plymouth Theatres and Plymouth Cinemas
Plymouth theatre and cinema, what choice. Fantastic offerings for Plymouth. For standard big shows and mega events check out the Plymouth Theatre Royal. Forthcoming offerings include a touch of Shakespeare with Twelfth Night, or how about a classic musical and My Fair Lady. The Theatre Royal is also offering a forthcoming interesting choice of performances which combine the theme of science with drama. Expect the usual blockbuster pantomimes and guess what, Jerry Springer the Opera is coming here for a turn.
For more of a community theatre feel, check out the superb Plymouth Barbican Theatre. There's a choice programme of political edge drama, contemporary dance and more at the Barbican. They have musical magic here as well, with acts like Seth Lakeman coming here (sold out quickly that one!). For a list of events at the Barbican check their web link to the right. There's two spaces going on here, the main Auditorium which seats 110 and is the venue for cutting edge drama and dance. For an informal setting there's the B Bar which is the where all the music nights, djs, comedy, gigs, events and so on, goes on! The B Bar is a lively and contemporary cafe during the day.
Plymouth Cinema couldn't be better. The superb Plymouth Arts Centre on Looe Street has it all. Cutting edge exhibitions with a cinematic focus and a choice of Art House and World cinema to blow ya socks off. They've a tasty little chi restaurant/bar on-site as well. Calling all Vegetarians, the Plymouth Arts Centre Resturant won the Vegetarian Society Award for the best Bistor/Cafe of 2005. Excellent stuff. Check out The Plymouth Arts Centre web link to the right for a full programme of films and exhibitions showing.
Theatre Royal Plymouth, Royal Parade, Plymouth, PL1 2TR. Tel Ticket Enquiries: 01752 267222. Barbican Theatre, Castle Street, Plymouth,
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