Plymouth Staycation Guide: Where to Stay, What to Do and Where to Eat

Plymouth is a waterfront city with a long maritime history, set on one of the great natural harbours of the south coast. The Hoe looks out over Plymouth Sound, the cobbled Barbican has fishing boats, cafes and old merchants' houses, and Dartmoor and the Cornish border are both close. It makes a good base for a coastal city break with plenty of options when the weather turns.

Why Plymouth works for a staycation

Two nights is enough for the Hoe, the Barbican and the aquarium. Stay longer and you can add Dartmoor, the South Devon coast or a trip across the Tamar into Cornwall. Plymouth has a mainline station and a compact waterfront, so you can manage without a car for the city itself. It suits families and anyone who likes the sea; see our seaside staycations guide for more coastal ideas.

Where to stay in Plymouth

On the Hoe and around the Barbican

Invicta Hotel is an independent four-star hotel in a Georgian townhouse on the Hoe, a short walk from the seafront. Mariners Guest House is an eight-room guest house minutes from the Barbican, rated 4.8. The Grosvenor Plymouth is a Victorian hotel in the centre, and The Imperial Plymouth is a 20-room hotel with free parking.

Modern and self-catering

Moxy Plymouth is a modern hotel in Millbay, close to the Hoe and Royal William Yard, and Fox House Studios Aparthotel has studios with their own kitchens.

Outside the city

Boringdon Hall Hotel and Spa is a five-star, Grade I listed manor on the edge of Dartmoor with a spa, rated 4.6 from over 1,300 Google reviews. The Ferry House Inn is a pub with rooms that welcomes dogs. See the full list on the Plymouth hotels page.

Things to do in Plymouth

Start on the Hoe, the wide green headland above the Sound. Smeaton's Tower, the red and white lighthouse that once stood on the Eddystone reef, was rebuilt here and you can climb it for views across the water. Below the Hoe, Tinside Lido is an art deco outdoor pool on the seafront, and nearby West Hoe Park has rides and a miniature train for younger children.

The Barbican is the old harbour district, with narrow streets, galleries and the Mayflower Steps, which mark the area the Pilgrims left from in 1620. Across the harbour, the National Marine Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the UK, with sharks and an underwater tunnel, and is a strong rainy-day choice. For a creative hour, ClayArt is a pottery painting studio in the Barbican.

History fans can visit Crownhill Fort, a Victorian fort on the edge of the city, and the Plym Valley Railway, a volunteer-run heritage line at Plympton. Families might also try Dartmoor Zoological Park or the outdoor Mount Wise Swimming Pool in Devonport. More ideas are on the Plymouth attractions page.

Where to eat

The Barbican is the natural place to eat. Barbican Pasta Bar serves pasta and grilled dishes, and Leandra is a family-run restaurant with Greek Cypriot dishes and local seafood. For something quick by the water, Cap'n Jaspers is a quayside kiosk that has served burgers and mugs of tea since 1978. See the Plymouth restaurants page for more.

A two-day plan

Day one

Walk the Hoe and climb Smeaton's Tower, then drop down to the Barbican for lunch. Spend the afternoon at the National Marine Aquarium and finish with dinner by the harbour.

Day two

In good weather, take a swim at Tinside Lido or walk the waterfront to Royal William Yard. Alternatively, drive out to Dartmoor for a morning walk and stop at Tavistock on the way back.

Day trips from Plymouth

Tavistock is a market town on the western edge of Dartmoor, and Totnes is known for its independent shops and castle. Across the Tamar in Cornwall, Bodmin is close to Bodmin Moor and St Austell is near the Eden Project. Torquay and Exeter make good longer days out.

Camping near Plymouth

Dartmoor Domes is family-friendly off-grid glamping in a woodland meadow that welcomes dogs, rated 5.0. Didwell Farm Campsite is a small field site on a working farm about a mile from the beach, and Lower Marsh Farm near Saltash has tents, glamping and lodges. Browse camping near Plymouth or cottages in Plymouth for more.

Practical tips

The Hoe, Barbican and city centre are all within walking distance of each other. Pack layers, as the Hoe is exposed to the wind. If you are planning walks on Dartmoor, see our guide to the best staycations for walkers, and for more family ideas see the best staycations for families.