With Plymouth Hoe being one of the most iconic areas in Plymouth with panoramic views over Plymouth Sound, there are plenty of things to do to keep all the family big and small entertained throughout the day
A number of paths across the waterfront, around the park and further afield in to the city centre and the Barbican make for a number of walks, which are all accessible for wheelchairs and prams.
The Waterfront Walkway is part of the South West Coast Path which follows waterfront path around Plymouth Hoe. It is a great family walk along a unique section of the South West Coast Path, providing an entertaining and enlightening journey where art is used to highlight the city's history and heritage.
Floral displays (planted for spring and summer) can be seen throughout the park in numerous beds providing vibrant colour and a large variety of plants.
- Pitch and putting green
- Tinside Lido is an Grade II listed art-deco style, which offers salt water swimming for the visitors and residents if Plymouth. This Lido is open seasonally so check the opening times.
- Bowls green (used by Sir Francis Drake Bowling Club)
- Playground
There is something for everyone at West Hoe Park, which is around 500m west along Hoe Road.
With a newly updated play area, pay to play activities invluding train, trampolines, crazy golf and boats as well as a large grassed area for games and picnics. A small pop up cafe is located at the park serving hot and cold drinks and a variety of food.
The Hoe is designated as a County Wildlife Site because of the presence of 10 notable species of plants including wild clary, sea couch grass, long-bracted sedge, ivy broomrape, knotted hedge parsley, toothed medick, Plymouth thistle and round-leaved crane's bill
There are two areas of the Hoe that are managed as limestone grasslands, one beneath the Citadel and the other immediately west of the Dome
The Hoe is bordered by the waters of Plymouth Sound and the River Tamar which form a European Marine Site, consisting of a Special Area of Conservation and Special Protection Area
Important habitats include sandbanks, reefs, estuaries and salt meadows that support important wintering bird populations including the avocet
In the approaches to the Sound, bottle-nosed dolphins and basking sharks are occasionally spotted whilst beneath the waves, the Sound is home to both the spiny seahorse and the short-snouted seahorse which reside amongst eelgrass beds
Pink sea fan, one of the UK's soft corals species, can be found in amongst rocky reefs in Plymouth Sound. The Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum (TECF) promotes the delivery of integrated management to ensure long term sustainability of habitats and species.
Plymouth Hoe is of great historic interest, and houses a vareity of War Memorials, including - Naval War Memorial, RAF Memorial, Armada Memorial and Drake Statue. There have been many historic events that have happened in this iconic location including:
- Sir Francis Drake famoulsy playing bowls on Plymouth Hoe before setting sail across the seas to fight the Spanish Armada
- The Mayflower set sail from Plymouth to America, carrying the pilgrims who founded the modern United State. This histroic journey will be celebrated in 2020 with Mayflower 400 year featuring events, activities, stories, culture and more.
- The Beatles Bums are now situated on Plymouth Hoe to help visitors and Plymothians recreate that iconic photo of the famous band sitting on Plymouth Hoe.