Firs Guest House

In a Port? Watersports!!!

by Maeniel

Plymouth is a major port with numerous reputable beaches in the vicinity or in near-by Cornwall. No matter what your taste, there will be a watersport available to you. Your own transport as some of the places can be difficult to get to. Of course, you should bring your own equipment if you want to do stuff by yourself, though there are many hire companies around in Plymouth.

If you need any help, give me a shout, and I will look it up for you.

Sir Francis Drake Statue

by stevezero

The Hoe is the site of a statue commemorating Sir Francis Drake, one of England's greatest seafarers. He helped to see off the Spanish Armada in 1588, and, according to legend, he even had time to play bowls on Plymouth Hoe while preparing for battle.
Because of his success as a privateer (pirate), in 1577 Francis Drake was chosen by Queen Elizabeth I of England to command a voyage designed to weaken the Spanish grip on the seas. Drake's command ship, Golden Hind (at first named Pelican) circumnavigated the globe, looting Spanish ships in the New World along the way. He made a landing in 1579 somewhere on the Pacific coast of North America and returned to England in 1580 to be knighted by the Queen. His successful voyage and subsequent naval career helped the English dominate the Spanish in the race for colonization and trade.
The plaque on his statue reads ~ Francis Drake sailed from Plymouth on December 13, 1577, to begin the "famous voyage" during which he traversed the Strait of Magellan and discovered Drake Passage south of Cape Horn. Drake then sailed the Golden Hinde north and in June 1579 landed in California; he took possession of that region for Queen Elizabeth naming it Nova Albion. He returned to Plymouth September 26, 1580, having circumnavigated the globe. Drake was knighted aboard the Golden Hinde at Deptford in the presence of Queen Elizabeth on April 4, 1581. This plaque was presented August 5, 1977, by the State of California Sir Francis Drake Commission in commemoration of the Quadricentennial of Drake's voyage around the world. ~

Mayflower Arch & Steps

by freya_heaven

This is Pilgrims point above the Mayflower steps, on the 6th September 1620 the Pilgrims departed from this spot . Sixty six days later they landed safely in the bay at Provincetown, Massachusetts in America. There are various plaques of interest of commemorations of the Pilgrim fathers in this area and in fact the Barbican as a whole, there is also a sign board with all the name of the Pilgrim Fathers in my travelogue. One hundred and two people set sail many of the Pilgrims were simple poor puritanical farmers who lived their lives around the teachings of the bible in search for a better life and the get away from the reforms in England.

The Mayflower Arch and Steps are understandably very popular with American tourists.

Plymouth.

by yozza2005

"Nightlife."

If you're a lover of dance and R'n'B, then head to Union Street which is scattered with clubs suiting those tastes.

However, if you're a lover of jazz and blues, the barbican is the place for you.
Annabel's is a fantastic jazz and blues venue (over 21's club) located near the waterside.
Jelly Jazz (once in a Blue Moon) comes to Plymouth and is held at the Quay Club (situated on the barbican), the genre here is Funk/Downtempo dance. Entry is usually £5/£4 NUS card holders.

Opposite the Quay Club are various cocktail bars located at the waters edge.

"Drake Circus Mall"

Shops include;
Next, TopShop, Billabong, Fat Face, H&M, Primark, Zavvi (Virgin Megastore), Waterstones, Starbucks etc.

There is a food court on the top floor.

saf's Plymouth page

by saf

Plymouth-the original hoe!

Plymouth is an importantl place in English and American history, as the pilgrims left from Plymouth to go to the New Found Lands.
So if you visit Plymouth you will have plenty to see, there is a tall lighthouse named Smeaton Tower which has been brought back to land and you can take a visit up it. The view from the top is pretty amazing and on a clear day you can see for miles around. Plymouth is home to almost all
of Englands submarines and at Devonport you can see many battle ships. Plymouth is excellent for shopping, all of the shops are situated in the city centre and are all close together. Sports shops dominate in Plymouth, but there is something for everyone and if you don't feel like shopping, you can take a look around the Guild Hall on Saturday's as they hold an antiques and collecters fair.