Enjoy Plymouth for free
Plymouth is a unique city and there are many places you can visit that are free. A small selection includes:
Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery
The Museum Service looks after five historic buildings, over 300,000 artefacts, 80,000 photographs and a number of historic collections.
Changing exhibitions, lunchtime talks and holiday workshops are held at the City Museum and Art Gallery throughout the year.
Visit the museum pages for more information.
St Andrew's Church
Christians have been meeting on the site of St Andrew's for almost 1,200 years, and the church was enlarged to its present shape between 1370 and 1486.
The city was bombed during the Second World War leaving the church a roofless shell. The church was restored, and the word 'resurgam', meaning 'I will arise again' is now carved in stone above the doorway through which most people enter the church.
Once inside the building there are many points of interest. Visit the St Andrew's Church website for more information.
HM Naval base Devonport
Visit the Plymouth Naval Base Museum, housed in the 19th century Police and Cashier's Office and the Old Fire Station in the historic South Yard of the Naval Base.
Displays include a field gun gallery and hangmans cell.
Visit the Plymouth Naval Base Museum website for more information.
Mount Edgcumbe Country Park
Mount Edgcumbe House is the former home of the Earls of Mount Edgcumbe. Set in Grade I Cornish Gardens within 865 acres Country Park on the Rame Peninsula, South East Cornwall.
The park is open year round and is free to the public; there is a charge to visit The House and Earl's Garden.
Visit the Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park website for more information.
The Barbican and Sutton harbour
Plymouth's old port area is now a bustling community of specialist shops, craft workshops and art galleries. The Pilgrim Fathers departure for the New World is commemorated here at the Mayflower Steps. A free walking guide 'The historic Plymouth Trail – Barbican' is available from the Tourist Information Centre.
Plymouth Hoe
No trip to Plymouth is complete without a visit to Plymouth Hoe to view the spectacular natural harbour of Plymouth Sound. The Hoe makes a magnificent backdrop to commemorate Plymouth's heritage including Sir Francis Drake, the Hoe being the site of his reputed game of bowls before defeating the Spanish Armada. The Naval War memorial, International Air monument, the Military War Memorial, the Royal Marines Memorial and Smeaton's Tower are also sited here.
Waterfront Walkway
A walk along the Plymouth's Waterfront Walkway allows you to explore the history and magnificent setting of the maritime city. A guide to the walk is available from Plymouth Tourist Information Centre, or you can buy a copy online.
Visit the South West Coast Path website for more information.
Devil's Point
Magnificent views across Plymouth sound to Mount Edgcumbe and Drakes Island. A good chance to view naval ships as they arrive, or depart, from Plymouth; car parking and toilets are available.
Mount Wise
Parkland area overlooking the river Tamar and site of the Robert Falcon Scott memorial. parksandopenspaces.htm#mount_wise
Plym Valley Cycle Trail
This off-road track connects the city to Dartmoor through stunning woodland scenery.
From the trail it is possible to see the breeding site of peregrine falcons on a quarry face. During the breeding season, a viewing point with telescopes is set up by registered watchers on the Cann Viaduct. Viewing is free but donations are gratefully received to help protect this threatened site.
Find out more about the cycle trail on the BBC website and the AA website.
Saltram House and Gardens
This National Trust property is home to beautiful parkland overlooking the Plym Estuary.
The parkland is open every day free of charge for the public to enjoy, there is an admission charge to the house and formal gardens.
Visit the National Trust website for more information.
Cann Woods
Various walking trails including the remains of an Iron Age fort.
Visit the Cann Woods page or the Forestry Commission for more information.
For a full list of attractions please visit our Visit Plymouth website or contact the Tourist Information Centre.
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