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EuropeUnited KingdomEngland

Plymouth

England, United Kingdom · Europe

About Plymouth

Plymouth is worth a stop: 5 minutes from Torpoint, 26km from Wistman's Wood.

Plymouth is a city located in England, United Kingdom. With a population of 260,203, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Plymouth sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Plymouth to your route.

About Plymouth

Plymouth ( PLIM-əth) is a port city and unitary authority in Devon, England. It is located on Devon's south coast between the rivers Plym and Tamar, about 36 miles (58 km) southwest of Exeter and 193 miles (311 km) southwest of London. It is the most populous city in Devon. Plymouth's history extends back to the

Read more Bronze Age, evolving from a trading post at Mount Batten into the thriving market town of Sutton, which was formally re-named as Plymouth in 1439 when it was made a borough. The settlement has played a significant role in English history, notably in 1588 when an English fleet based here defeated the Spanish Armada, and in 1620 as the departure point for the Pilgrim Fathers to the New World. During the English Civil War, the town was held by the Parliamentarians and was besieged between 1642 and 1646. In 1690 a dockyard was established on the River Tamar for the Royal Navy and Plymouth grew as a commercial shipping port throughout the Industrial Revolution. After absorbing nearby settlements in 1914, the borough was awarded city status in 1928. During World War II, Plymouth suffered extensive damage in the Plymouth Blitz, leading to post-war rebuilding that significantly shaped its modern appearance. A further expansion of its boundaries in 1967 contributed to its current status as the 30th-most populous built-up area in the UK and the second-largest city in the South West after Bristol, with a population in 2024 of 272,067. Plymouth's economy, historically rooted in shipbuilding and seafaring, has transitioned towards a service-based economy since the 1990s. It maintains strong maritime connections, hosting HMNB Devonport, the largest operational naval base in Western Europe, and offering ferry links to Brittany and Spain. The city is also home to the University of Plymouth, reflecting its educational and cultural significance. Today, the city is governed locally by Plymouth City Council and is represented nationally by three Members of Parliament.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Plymouth

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Plymouth?

Plymouth offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Plymouth?

Plan your road trip to Plymouth with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Plymouth as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Plymouth located?

Plymouth is located in England, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 50.3715 latitude, -4.1430 longitude.

What is the population of Plymouth?

Plymouth has a population of approximately 260,203 people, making it a city in United Kingdom.

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Quick Information

Population
260,203
Continent
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
Region
England
Timezone
Europe/London
Coordinates
50.3715, -4.1430

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United Kingdom

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
999
Non-emergency police
101
Driving side
left

112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.

Full driving guide for United Kingdom

Tags

EuropeUnited KingdomEnglandCity

Worth the detour from Plymouth

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

landmark

National Marine Aquarium

The UK's largest aquarium in Plymouth dedicated to ocean conservation with Atlantic Ocean and deep reef exhibits.

0 km · about 5 min drive

natural wonder

Wistman's Wood

Stunted, moss-drowned oaks growing between granite boulders form one of Britain's last high-altitude temperate rainforests, long linked with Druid legend. A 20-minute walk from the Two Bridges car park on Dartmoor.

26 km · about 30 min drive

national park

Dartmoor National Park

Wild and ancient moorland dotted with granite tors, Bronze Age settlements and roaming Dartmoor ponies across 368 square miles of Devon.

27 km · about 30 min drive

landmark

Eden Project

Spectacular complex of enormous biome domes nestled in a former clay pit, housing the world's largest indoor rainforest.

43 km · about 50 min drive

waterfall

St Nectan's Glen

A mystical 60-foot waterfall that bores through a holed rock in a fern-draped wooded glen near Tintagel.

52 km · about 60 min drive

castle

Tintagel Castle

Dramatic clifftop ruins steeped in Arthurian legend, connected to the mainland by a striking modern footbridge above the Atlantic.

55 km · about 65 min drive

cathedral

Exeter Cathedral

Magnificent Gothic cathedral boasting the longest uninterrupted vaulted ceiling in England, dating back to the 12th century.

58 km · about 65 min drive

famous road

Atlantic Highway (A39)

Spectacular coastal road running through north Devon and Cornwall past dramatic cliffs, surfing beaches and picturesque harbour villages.

59 km · about 70 min drive

Driving roads near Plymouth

  • 59 kmAtlantic Highway (A39)Spectacular coastal road running through north Devon and Cornwall past dramatic cliffs, surfing beaches and picturesque harbour villages.
  • 64 kmBedruthan StepsGiant rock stacks marching across a wild sandy beach below towering cliffs on the rugged north Cornwall coast.
  • 75 kmHartland QuaySavage stretch of North Devon coast where contorted rock strata zigzag into the Atlantic, reached by a dead-end road down the cliffs to a 16th-century harbour site and pub. Shipwreck country with a small museum.

Driving in United Kingdom

Drives on
the left
Petrol
~€1.73/litre
Motorway tolls
None

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Plymouth.

Torpoint

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

4 km awayPop. 7,717

Plymstock

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

4 km awayPop. 24,103

Millbrook

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

6 km away

Plympton

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

6 km awayPop. 8,892

Saltash

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

7 km awayPop. 15,566

Wembury

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

7 km awayPop. 1,819

Brixton

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

8 km awayPop. 1,252

Newton Ferrers

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

10 km awayPop. 1,268

Plan a trip around Plymouth

United Kingdom road trip plannerBristol → Plymouth drive · 2 hr 24 minLondon → Plymouth drive · 4 hr 25 min

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence