Sea and seaside

Plymouth is a city built upon its relationship with the sea, dating back to the 8th Century Saxon settlers who arrived by sea.

This association includes a number of key events throughout history; from the first known use of the name Plymouth, identifying it as a fishing village in the 12th Century; the famous sailing of the Spanish Armada from Plymouth in 1588; the departure of the Mayflower in 1620; through to the present day where Plymouth’s economy and daily life revolves around its links to the sea, whether hosting international sailing events or supporting its strong Royal Navy presence.

This historical connection has witnessed a mixture of trade, migration, military presence and recreational use of the sea, which continues to evolve and develop on a daily basis.

Photo gallery

View the gallery - and find out more about Plymouth’s relationship with the sea first-hand, through images and documents.

Film

View a selection of film clips - a chance to explore 'Sea and seaside' film from the archives, and a specially-produced film for using in the classroom. Archival film has been made available with thanks to South West Film and Television Archive.