Plymouth is located in the southernmost part of Great Britain and is considered one of the impressive harbors of the country, from which ships enter the English Channel.But this city is not only a sea port, but also a river port - two rivers flow through it: the wide Teymar and the small Plym.The latter gave the settlement its modern name.
The history of Plymouth dates back to 1086. Over time, the small village grew to the size of a city, surpassed the nearby Mount Batten (peninsula) and received the name Plymouth (translated from English "Mouth of the Plym River").During the industrial revolution, the city turned into a major trading port, and nearby Devonport became an important naval shipbuilding and ship-repair plant.In 1914 three neighboring independent cities of Plymouth, Devonport and Stonehouse united into a single city-county of Plymouth.
Plymouth's economy used to be heavily dependent on shipbuilding, although tourism has been growing steadily in recent years.Almost 12 million people visit Plymouth every year, as it is also a starting point for exploring other areas, such as the beaches of Devon and Cornwall or the Dartmoor National Park.
Plymouth is the city of maritime glory of Britain, the past of which is evidenced by several monuments: to the sailors who defeated the invincible armada of Spain in 1588, and to Sir Francis Drake, who commanded the British fleet at that time.There was another reason for erecting a monument to the famous captain in Plymouth: Drake started his round-the-world journey from here.And from Plymouth port in 1620. Pilgrim fathers went to the New World, where they established a colony (now Plymouth, Massachusetts).
HOW TO GET
On the train
England is criss-crossed by railway lines, and you can get to Plymouth from almost anywhere in the country: for example, the journey from London by train will take 3-3.5 hours, from Bristol - 2 hours, from Birmingham - 3.5 hours, from Liverpool - 5 , 5 hours, from Edinburgh - 8-8.5 hours.One of the comfortable options is night trains, which leave London around midnight and arrive in Plymouth early in the morning.
On the bus
Buses X38 arrive in Plymouth from Exeter (1hr 15min) and X80 from Torquay (1hr 45min, every half hour) with a stop at Totnes (1hr 10min).No. 82 buses run regularly from Dartmoor, following through Moretonampstead, Postbridge and Princeton.
National Express operates regular services to Birmingham (5.5 hours), Bristol (3 hours), London (5-6 hours) and Penzance (3-3.5 hours).
Car, ferry, plane
From London you can get to Plymouth by car in 3.5-5 hours on the M5 or M25 highway.
ENTERTAINMENT AND SIGHTS
Architecture
The best place to get to know old Plymouth is the Barbican quarter, where half-timbered houses and buildings from the Tudor era peek out among fishing trawlers and luxury yachts, and the streets are paved with cobblestones.Unfortunately, Plymouth's historic heritage was partially destroyed during bombing raids in World War II.But Plymouth is slowly "churning" year after year due to the construction of shops, bars, restaurants and one of the most popular attractions of the city - Tinside Lido, a unique swimming pool with sea water.
After the English Revolution in 1666, the Royal Fortress was built in the eastern part of the city to protect against sea attacks. To the west of the fortress is the Smithons Tower lighthouse, built in 1759.A picturesque panorama of the city and the harbor opens from the platform of the lighthouse. On the northern outskirts of the city rises Crownhill Fort, one of a number of fortresses built in the Victorian era along the coast of Great Britain.
Nature
On one side of Plymouth stretches the valley of the Teymar River, included in the UNESCO list of objects of exceptional natural beauty, on the other - the territory of the Dartmoor National Park.The landscape of Dartmoor, covering 954 sq.km, is a marshy wasteland with granite boulders sticking out here and there.Thanks to the mild and humid climate, ferns, horsetails, and sedges feel great on the territory of the park, and Dartmoor ponies graze on the wastelands.Dartmoor has inspired famous personalities such as Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie.
Other sights
On the banks of the River Plym is the mansion of Saltrem House of the era of King George II (first half of the 18th century), where scenes of the film "Senses and Sensibility" (1995), based on the book by Jane Austen, were filmed.
The University of Plymouth is ranked 9th in the UK in terms of student population.
Europe's deepest marine aquarium has been built in Plymouth, where visitors can take a journey through the oceans: from Plymouth's shores to coral reefs in the tropics.
There are 20 war memorials in this city, 9 of which are located on top of the hill.Among them are the Plymouth Naval Memorial in memory of those who died in the First and Second World Wars and the National Memorial in honor of the defeat of the Spanish Armada.
BEACHES
Plymouth is the starting point for exploring the beaches of south-east Cornwall. The quintessential Cornish fishing villages of Cosand and Kingsand on the Rum Peninsula are very popular with windsurfers, boaters and those just keen to swim and sunbathe. Local beaches are small, but easily accessible, with fine sand mixed with pebbles. You can get there from Plymouth by car in 45-60 minutes, and during the peak summer season, Kosand and Plymouth are connected by a ferry crossing.
The Ram Peninsula is also famous for other great beaches - Whitsunday Bay (in the western part) and Sharrow Bay, popular with surfers, as well as the rocky beaches of Portrinkle and Downderry.The sandy and shingle beach of Lantivet Bay, located between Polruan and Polperro, is only accessible at low tide and is therefore virtually deserted.Nestled in a sheltered bay about 1.5 miles from Fowey, Lantick Bay Beach is no easier to reach than a steep path cut into the rock.
Brittany Ferries organize ferries from Santander (10pm) and Roscoff.
The city does not have its own airport, it is served by Exeter Airport, located 45 minutes' drive from Plymouth.
