Museums and Archives

The Museum Service looks after five historic buildings. It cares for and conserves over 300,000 artefacts, 80,000 photographs and a number of historic collections. Thousands of historic documents and items are also housed at a variety of locations including Mount Edgcumbe House and Buckland Abbey.

Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery

Open Tuesday to Saturday all year except Good Friday and Christmas and New Year - free admission

A great place to visit with nine permanent galleries, two exhibition galleries and hundreds of events and activities throughout the year. The City Museum and Art Gallery also provides an education service for schools, colleges, universities, pre-school children and young people, plus outreach and access services for community groups and adults.

Smeaton's Tower

Our historic lighthouse is more than 250 years old and is one of the city's landmark buildings. Climb the 93 steps to the top and enjoy panoramic views of Plymouth and beyond.

Elizabethan House

Open 31 March to 29 September 2012, Tuesday to Saturday. Standard admission applies.

A rare surviving example of its time, the Elizabethan House is a historic property laid out in the style of a merchant or sea captain's home from the 1600s.

Merchant's House

Open 31 March to 29 September 2012, Tuesday to Saturday. Standard admission applies.

A fine example of a 16th/17th century house, the historic Merchant's House building is full of objects and information that provide a snapshot of Plymouth's past including the Victorian era and the Blitz.

Plymouth and West Devon Record Office

Open Tuesday to Friday all year except Good Friday and Christmas/New Year. Please book in advance.

Plymouth and West Devon Record Office is your one-stop shop for help with family, house and local history research.