48 Hours in Plymouth for Adventurers

If you love being outdoors or simply want to avoid crowded or indoor spaces in this post-COVID-19 era, our visitor guide will keep you on your toes. Our 48 hours in Plymouth for adventurers focuses on the activities you can do outside.

Day One

We have started our 48 hours in Plymouth from hotel check-in, which is open from 2pm. After you've settled into your bedroom, it's time to explore. Whether you drive or catch the bus, which you can catch opposite the hotel, we suggest heading to The Barbican in the city centre.

Many of the city's top attractions are situated here, including the family friendly National Marine Aquarium, so it's the right place to familiarise yourself with the surroundings. Wander around the historic cobbled streets. These have been walked by Sir Francis Drake, Charles Darwin and the Mayflower Pilgrims, who left Plymouth in 1620. You can even visit the Mayflower Steps.

Seek out the Elizabethan Gardens, a real hidden gem. The little garden is tucked away and can often be completely empty – even on a hot summer's day. There are low box hedges, beds of colourful flowers and fragrant herbs, and a fountain, in the shadow of an old Elizabethan manner.

You could even get the ferry to Royal William Yard across the Plymouth Sound. The imposing granite building was once a naval facility. There is a path to Devils Point, a pleasant walk, and you may even see a couple of seals.

Amongst the things to explore, there are many great places to eat and drink. There is a vast range of restaurants and pubs catering for all tastebuds and budgets. Browse the menus and decide where you'd like to eat in the evening.

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Day Two

Hopefully, you could rest your feet overnight; there are lots to see and do on day two. Start the day right with breakfast in Fishbone Restaurant. The full English buffet has a hot selection, a continental spread, cereals, toast and tea, coffee and juice - perfect fuel for the day ahead.

Spend your morning enjoying a cruise of the Sound with Plymouth Boat Trips. Choose a one-hour trip or half-day trip, which will soak up the sights of Plymouth from the sea, as well as the stunning Devon and Cornish coasts.

After a morning at sea, fish and chips should definitely be on the menu for lunch. You can choose to eat in or find a spot looking over the water. Popular restaurants that use local and sustainable fish are The Rockfish, Platters (one of the oldest seafood restaurants in Plymouth) and The Harbour.

After lunch, head to the nearby Plymouth Hoe. Walk along the Hoe Promenade with views of the Sound on one side and, on the other, the Naval War Memorial. You can climb the steps in Smeaton's Tower, one of the south west's most well-known landmarks, or find the bronze casts where you can sit and recreate The Beatles famous photo.

You could also follow the South West Coast Path. There are plenty of detours off the path where you can discover marinas and charming cobbled streets. The track is 630 miles in total, so make sure you turn around at some point.

By now, you should be ready for a relaxing evening. Make sure you wash your dinner down with a local drink. Plymouth Gin is the oldest working gin distillery in England, and the building dates back to the early 1400s.

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Day Three

If you want a different breakfast this morning, you could go to the UK's oldest bakery. Jacka Bakery in The Barbican is family-owned, and everything is made and baked onsite. From artisan bread to sticky buns and even pasties.

After you check out (by 11am), and before you travel home, you should check about Plymbridge Woods or Dartmoor National Park – both a short drive from the hotel. Both have a network of lanes which you can walk or cycle. As Future Inn Plymouth is a bike-friendly hotel, you're more than welcome to bring yours during the stay. Exploring the woodland and wilderness is the perfect end to your 48 hours in Plymouth.

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Stay at Future Inn Plymouth

If reading this has left you feeling tempted to book your trip, then look no further than Future Inn Plymouth. Book with confidence, and see how we are welcoming guests safely.

Alongside free parking and free WiFi, there is a whole host of home comforts. All bedrooms can sleep up to four, which are ideal for families. Under 12's even stay for free! Plus, you can even dine on homemade, fresh, local food in Fishbone Restaurant.