There are lots of free things for everyone to enjoy in Plymouth. We’ve compiled a list of all the activities, events and things to do so you can have fun and make memories with your family without worrying about your budget.
Summer holiday activities
Fit & Fed on tour
Every Tuesday in August, Fit & Fed will be going on tour visiting parks around Plymouth. Children can enjoy a free healthy lunch and lots of fun activities like inflatables, mini golf and arts and crafts:
- Tuesday 6 August, 10am to 2pm, Victoria Park
- Tuesday 13 August, 10am to 2pm, Ernesettle Green
- Tuesday 20 August, 10am to 2pm, Tothill Park
- Tuesday 27 August, 10am to 2pm Central Park
Find out more about fit and fed.
Barnardo’s family sessions
Barnardo’s Play and Beyond! fun day sessions are aimed at children aged 0 to 5-years old. Enjoy bouncy castles, story sessions and lots of fun activities for families, with a focus on communication and language to support children’s development.
- Tuesday 30 July,10am to 2pm, Devonport Park
- Wednesday 31 July, 11am to 3pm, Kit Hill Park
- Tuesday 13 August, 10am to 2pm, Harewood House Cricket Pitch
- Thursday 29 August, 10am to 2pm, Freedom Fields
Find out more about all the events, activities and groups on offer with Barnardo’s this summer.
Fun Days at Four Greens
Children aged 0 to 8 years can enjoy themed fun days at Four Greens Family and Wellbeing Hub in Whitleigh. Advance booking required, find out more from Barnardo’s Plymouth.
- Beach theme, 30 July, 10am to 2pm
- Superhero theme, 6 August, 10am to 2pm
- Sports theme, 13 August, 10am to 2pm
- Pizza and film, 20 August, 10am to 2pm
Youth events for teens
Young people aged 11 to 18-years-old can take part in summer events across the city:
- Friday 9 August, 12pm to 4pm, youth meet and games at Central Park
- Tuesday 13 August, 2pm to 4pm, trail walk from Four Greens Family Hub
- Wednesday 14 August, 2pm to 4pm, arts, crafts and pamper sessions at Rees Family Hub
- Tuesday 20 August, 2pm to 4pm, self care and pamper session at The Barn Family Hub
To book a place or for more information contact Carin on 07775545929 or Jess on 07522619076.
British Firework Championships
Prepare to be wowed as the popular pyrotechnic competition returns, with six firework companies battling over two nights to be crowned the very best. Head to Plymouth Hoe for the best view on 14 and 15 August. Find out more from Visit Plymouth.
West End Carnival
The West End Carnival returns to the streets around Plymouth Market on Saturday 24 August, offering a jam-packed day of free family activities. Find out more.
Meet the Marine Park
Learn all about the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park with the help of the Ocean Conservation Trust at Central Park Fun Day on Saturday 25 August.
Summer Reading Challenge
Children can sign up to the Summer Reading Challenge at your nearest library, and then join in fun activities throughout the summer. See the calendar of events and activities.
Creative fun at The Box
Inspired by the amazing 'The Time Is Always Now' exhibition, come and celebrate the special people in your life and get creative through portraiture. Join The Box for a range of brilliant free arts and crafts sessions this summer, plus special family walking tours. Find out more.
Family activities
Family fun at The Box
The Box is free to visit with lots of amazing artwork and fascinating objects to explore, so there’s something for the whole family. It’s open 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday and there’s no need to book.
Every Friday morning at 10.30am, The Box also runs free storytelling sessions for under 5s.
Plymouth Libraries
Libraries across Plymouth host regular activities for children, including Lego clubs, Rhymetime and storytelling sessions. Find out more about all the events and activities in Plymouth Libraries.
Bridging the Tamar Visitor and Learning Centre
This free attraction gives you the chance to learn all about the 2 iconic bridges that link Devon and Cornwall: the Tamar Bridge and Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s 19th century Royal Albert Bridge. There are interactive exhibits, spotters trails, and dressing up materials.
Playgrounds
There are over 125 play areas across Plymouth where children can have fun for free, with a range of play equipment on offer. Find your nearest playground.
Outdoor swimming
Mount Wise swimming pools open for the summer until Saturday 15 September, with three pools to enjoy including a fun pool with fountains. Book free sessions online and find more details about opening times and facilities on the Plymouth Active Leisure website.
Outdoor activities
Parks
Plymouth is home to so many green spaces waiting to be explored, where you can enjoy spending time in nature for free. Many of them have been awarded Green Flag status which recognises that they are safe, secure, clean and well-maintained. Our parks map will help you find the nearest park to your home.
Woodland walks
There are 13 Local Nature Reserves in Plymouth which are free for everyone to visit, with a variety of woodland walks to follow. Enjoy the benefits of spending time in nature and see what kinds of wildlife you can spot.
Plymouth Hoe
With beautiful sea views and lots of space for children to play, Plymouth Hoe is a great and accessible place to visit on a sunny day.
Walking trails
Delve into the depths of Britain's Ocean City with the free Plymouth Trails App which allows you to learn and explore the streets of this historic city via themed trails. The trails stretch across the city and cover a wide range of interests as they guide you from place to place. At each stop, you can compare how Plymouth used to look with the 'Now and Then' feature. All trails come with an audio option so that you can enjoy the views whilst listening to the content.
Elizabethan Gardens
Step back into the 16th century at the Elizabethan Gardens hidden in the realms of the historic Barbican.
South West Coast Path
Plymouth’s waterfront is part of the South West Coast Path and you can follow the Waterfront Walkway which takes you from Stonehouse all the way to Jennycliff.
Wild swimming
Plymouth Sound National Marine Park offers lots of great swimming spots, with the most popular being East Tinside Beach just off Plymouth Hoe and Firestone Bay near the Royal William Yard. If you’d like to go for a dip this summer, make sure you follow important safety advice.
Ocean City Clean-ups
Help to protect the environment and join the Ocean Conservation Trust at one of their litter picking sessions this year. All equipment is provided and you’ll also have chance to speak to their marine biologists, learning all about ocean conservation and plastic pollution.
Saltram
Situated on the outskirts of Plymouth the free parklands of Saltram provide the perfect opportunity to get outdoors with the family this summer. Go for a walk, run or cycle to enjoy the range of different habitats, including farmland, saltmarshes and meadows.
Parkrun
Get fit with free-to-attend park run events hosted every Saturday in Central Park. Beginning at 9 am, participants are encouraged to take part for their own enjoyment and can complete the 5k distance at their own pace. New entrants are advised to register before they attend. There’s also a Junior Parkrun for 4 to 14 year olds, every Sunday at 9am in Devonport Park.
Woodland workshops
Enjoy creative, sustainable workshops every Friday afternoon from July to December, 1pm to 3pm in Tulgey Woods, Lower Compton. The sessions are run by Conscious Sisters CIC and Tulgey Woods CIC, please contact hello@theconscioussisters.com for more information.
Love Exploring App
Download the free Love Exploring app to enjoy free games and walking trails in parks and woodlands across Plymouth. Go on an adventure to find dinosaurs, planets or bugs in an augmented reality game or follow walking trails with interesting facts about wildlife, plants and history. There’s currently fun to be had in: Central Park, Devonport Park, Victoria Park, Budshead Woods, Woodland Wood and Ham Woods, with more locations coming soon.
Arts and Culture
The Box Plymouth
As well as its impressive permanent collection, The Box is home to a programme of fascinating exhibitions. Find out more about exhibitions at The Box.