With sweeping views of the southern coast, Plymouth is a maritime treasure awaiting your discovery. With beaches, museums, unique heritage and exciting attractions, the city is the perfect destination for a summer staycation or winter adventure. See below for a selection of top Plymouth attractions.
Looking for things to do with the kids in Plymouth? There are many attractions and activities to enjoy as a family here – perfect if you’re booking a staycation in the city. Some of Plymouth’s top family-friendly attractions are:
Smeaton’s Tower
Smeaton’s Towers is an iconic Plymouth landmark and a much loved piece of the city’s heritage. Originally built on the Eddystone Reef in 1759, this amazing lighthouse was moved stone by stone to its present site on the Plymouth Hoe in the late 1880s. Climb the 93 steps and enjoy the spectacular panoramic view over the city and sound, and beyond. Entry costs £2.80 for adults and £1.50 for children- it can be closed for civil ceremonies to check the website before visiting.
Smeaton’s Tower is around a twenty-minute walk from Leonardo Hotel Plymouth.
National Marine Aquarium
Discover an exciting new world where science and conservation come to life in the ocean experience of a lifetime. Embark on a unique journey through marine environments of the world, starting with Plymouth Sound’s own aquatic life, moving on to the British coasts, the Atlantic ocean and the ‘Blue Planet’. Take the plunge beneath the waves and enter an alien world where towering reefs and fish-packed coral seas are home to awe-inspiring life.
Perfect for all ages, a day at the National Marine Aquarium is guaranteed to open your eyes and change the way you look at the sea forever! Tickets cost £14.75 for adults and £10.75 for children – family tickets are available. The Aquarium is a short twelve-minute walk from our Plymouth hotel.
Buckland Abbey
Steeped in history and heritage, Buckland Abbey, Garden and Estate is a truly fantastic experience for those of all ages. Transporting you back in time, you can follow 700 years of the estate’s life, stories, and treasures. The Abbey is part museum and house, with beautiful meadows, orchards, and woodlands to explore – in spring the carpet of bluebells are a must-see! Nestled in the Dartmoor landscape, Buckland is a tranquil escape into the countryside for a day out to remember. Tickets cost £11 for adults and £5.50 – family tickets are available.
Buckland Abbey is a short twenty-two minute drive from our hotel.
The Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery
The Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery offers a plethora of displays and exhibitions from local/maritime history and world cultures to fine and decorative art collections. The museum's natural history collection consists of over 150,000 specimens of insects, birds, mammals, skeletons, plants, fossils and rocks.
The museum is also home to many prehistoric artefacts from Dartmoor, important Bronze Age and Iron Age material from Mount Batten, and artefacts from ancient Egypt and other European and Middle Eastern ancient cultures. The Art Gallery boasts ever-changing art displays and exhibitions showcasing local and international art.
Admission is free, and the City Museum and Art Gallery is a brief ten-minute walk from Leonardo Hotel Plymouth.
Saltram
Overlooking the River Plym, Saltram is an impressive Georgian house situated on the outskirts of Plymouth. Learn the stories and history of the house, stroll the surrounding woodland and along the river, and explore the 18th and 19th century garden. Enjoy a day filled with splendour, beauty and heritage with the family – tickets cost £11.40 for adults and £5.80 for children, with family tickets available.
Saltram is a short fifteen-minute walk from Leonardo Hotel Plymouth.
The Barbican
Bursting with architecture and charm of the old fishing town and port, The Barbican is Plymouth's old harbour area. The area is vibrant and interesting, steeped with history as the original location of Plymouth's fish market and is still today home to many fishermen. The Barbican is a hub of all manner of businesses and attractions, including the Plymouth Gin Distillery, arts centre, leisure park, Elizabethan gardens and house (separate), and more.The area is also home to many restaurants, bars and pubs with plenty of opportunities to go shopping in Plymouth to truly experience The Barbican. Discover Plymouth’s historic waterfront and explore a myriad of hidden gems…
The Barbican is a ten-minute walk from our hotel.
Boat Trips
Cruise the coast with a relaxing boat trip along the sound and harbour, or go further afield and explore the shores of Cornwall discovering smuggler's coves and quaint fishing villages. You can also go on a boat fishing trip if you’re keen to bring back your very own ‘catch of the day’. Plymouth Boats trips depart from Barbican, just a short twelve-minute walk from Leonardo Hotel Plymouth
Dartmoor National Park
Discover the unspoilt beauty of Dartmoor National Park, which is one of the finest natural landscapes the UK has to offer. The coastal footpaths offer magnificent views of the seascape, quaint villages are perfect for a country pub lunch, and there are a range of activities available, such as horse riding, climbing, watersports, and more! Dartmoor National park is a short 20- minute drive from our Plymouth hotel.
Plymouth Hoe
Plymouth Hoe has many superb sites, including the Royal Citadel (a 17th century fortress). Affording breath-taking views over Plymouth sound and offering the unique Art Deco Tinside Lido to enjoy a dip with a difference, the Hoe is a must-visit of this city. Plymouth Hoe is a short sixteen-minute walk from Leonardo Hotel Plymouth.
Eden Project
The Eden Project is a large-scale environmental complex in Cornwall. Located in a recycled china clay pit, The Eden Project has quickly become one of the most popular visitor attractions in the United Kingdom. The complex includes two sets of giant interconnected transparent domes made of ETFE cushions, each emulating a natural biome, that houses plant species from around the world. It also plays host to a range of outdoor gardens, a skywire (England’s longest zip wire), climbing frame, play garden, and more.
This fantastic day out is perfect for the whole family, tickets cost £25 for adults and £14 for children. Discounts are available for advance purchases and there are family tickets on offer for two adults and two children. The Eden Project is a one-hour drive from our Plymouth Hotel.
Burrator Reservoir
The Burrator Reservoir is a beautiful natural site and a south of England must see, situated a little outside Plymouth city centre. A haven for walkers and cyclists, the stunning landscape offers a sharp contrast of woodlands and open moors with the unspoilt reservoir, making it ideal for a wilderness adventure. There are flat walks around the water for those visiting as a family, and for those looking for more of a challenge, there are plenty of footpaths and trails leading to Dartmoor National Park.
The Burrator reservoir is a short 30-minute drive from Leonardo Hotel Plymouth.
Explore the Coast
Start your coastal tour with Plymouth’s superb natural harbour. A walk along Plymouth’s ‘Waterfront Walkway’ allows you to explore the history and magnificent setting of the maritime city. If you’re thirsty for more, you can continue further along the South West Coast Path and take in the dramatic views of the sea, a picturesque harbour, or river estuary.
Drake Circus
Filled with your favourite high street stores from the Schuh to H&M and River Island, Drake Circus is the perfect stop for some retail therapy! The centre offers a range of places to eat and drink including a Starbucks and a Yo Sushi.
Just around the corner, Drake’s Circus is a brief four-minute walk from our Plymouth hotel.