A trip to the Plymouth Aquarium, taking in the Hoe, Barbican, and Smeaton's Tower
| Wet weather rating |
*** The Aquarium is indoors, as is the Swiss ice skate rink and Atlantis fun pool (see below) |
| Family Rating |
**** something for all ages |
| Travel Rating |
easy, and an optional bus journey cuts out some walking |
| Journey Time |
20 minutes to Plymouth, plus another 25 - 30 minutes walking |
| Comments |
This trip could easily make two days out |
| Sundays |
Now possible on Sundays with the new Sunday timetable (from January 2008) |
At Plymouth Station leave the building and cross the road, heading to the right. A bus service
runs from here to Royal Parade at the bottom of Plymouth (about 10 minutes walk away). If you
take this service miss the following instructions and pick up at the asterix. If you don’t
catch the bus continue along the pavement, bearing left as you join the main road, proceed
under two subways, passing the Copthorne Hotel and later the Amarda Centre on your right.
Cross the road at the traffic lights and cut straight down through Plymouth city centre until
you read the road where the buses stop.
*Just before this road take the underpass, which is brightly decorated with murals inspired by
Plymouth history. Continue straight ahead, past the Guildhall on your left and the water
features on your right. At the next road go straight on, past the anchor and further up the
hill past the Moat House hotel. Look now for the red and white stripped lighthouse, Smeaton’s
Tower, that was the original Eddystone Lighthouse that protected ships as they passed Plymouth.
You are now on the Hoe. The Dome is at the end of the short footpath leading down from
Smeaton’s tower.
The Plymouth Dome was an interactive museum dedicated to Plymouth’s history. It is now closed but plans to re-open it as a restaurant are still in discussion.
The Hoe sweeps gracefully along the shore front of Plymouth and from here you can see Drake’s
Island (which can be reached during Summer months by a boat ride from the Barbican). From the
Dome cross the road and turn left to follow the path that runs along the sea wall towards the
Barbican. Should you wish to play a game of crazy golf a short walk to the right from the Hoe
will bring you out to a small park with a crazy golf pitch.
The first thing to watch out for as you enter the Barbican are the Mayflower Steps, from which the Pilgrim fathers set off on their journey to America. Near here also is the Barbican Glassworks, a converted fish market with glassworks and high quality gift shops. A bridge near the glassworks leads across the water to the Aquarium, which can be seen as you come into the
Barbican.
It is worthwhile either on the way in or the way out having a look around the Barbican, which
has a glut of interesting galleries, antique and craft shops, and plenty of places to eat,
including the famous out door café Captain Jaspers, just behind the Glassworks. The artist
Robert Lenkiewicz had his studio and gallery on the harbour side just behind the main street. Following Mr Lenkiewicz's death in 2005 the gallery remains open and continues to display his work.
The National Marine Aquarium has a variety of exhibits. The theme starts from the moor land stream and works downwards to the sea, covering all types of aquatic life on its journey. As well as fresh water fish there is a beach exhibit, sharks, sea horses and exotic coral tanks - and just in case you want some fishy memorabilia to take home or give away there is a gift shop. A café is also available on the site. The ticket enables you to come and go over the course of a day.
The National Marine Aquarium can be contacted on 01752 275211.
To return in a circular route, go back to the Barbican and turn right along the main street.
Follow this to the end. Turn right at the main road, cross at the pedestrian crossing and up
Buckwell street on the left. Bear left at the top, past the job centre and towards the
roundabout. Continue bearing slightly left until you come to Royal parade (where the buses stop).
Either catch a bus back to the station, or cross the road here, going straight on past a
stationers and then through Drake Circus shopping centre, up the steps and exit the shopping centre by the doors to your left. Walk down the street which includes shops such as Halfords, Athena and Early Learning Center. At the next main pedestrian cross roads turn right. Keep heading upwards, crossing the road near the Amarda centre and continuing past the small park and under the two underpasses, to finish the way you started.
Other attractions in Plymouth and surrounding area
Plymouth Pavilions - Go ice skating in the
Swiss Lake Ice Rink, swimming in the Atlantis Fun Pool, catch one of the many live music concerts and other performances in the 4000 capacity arena or watch a thrilling baskekball game featuring the home side Plymouth Raiders.
Plymouth Ski & Snowboard Centre - Dry-slope skiing and snowboarding, lessons available. Or have a go on the 650 meter toboggan run and exciting Sno-tube rides.
British Firework Championships
- Are held in Plymouth each year. 6 displays over 2 nights (3 each night) in early August. Best viewing from Plymouth Hoe although it will be busy. Boat trips run from Saltash but should be booked in advance.
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