Plymouth
A Devon port with clifftop views over Plymouth Sound, an old harbor quarter and a ferry to France.
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Plymouth sits on Devon's south coast as a port city with its own council, lying between the rivers Plym and Tamar. The River Tamar separates Devon from Cornwall, and the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry both carry you across. Only Bristol is a bigger city in the South West, while Plymouth is the largest settlement in Devon. Plymouth Sound is a sheltered natural harbor where the two rivers flow together, guarded by a breakwater. HMNB Devonport, a Royal Navy base, ranks among the biggest working naval sites in western Europe.
The Hoe, a level clifftop park above the Sound, puts Drake's Island and Smeaton's Tower in view. Smeaton's Tower began as a lighthouse in 1759, moved to the Hoe in 1877, and is open to visitors. The Barbican, the old port quarter below, has about 100 listed buildings and many cobbled streets. The Pilgrim Fathers sailed for the New World from here in 1620. Day trips reach Dartmoor, the Tamar Valley and Cornish beaches such as Kingsand and Cawsand.
Plymouth in five
- Cover the Hoe, Barbican and Millbay by areaVisitPlymouth groups the sights into the Hoe, the Barbican and Sutton Harbour, and Millbay and West Hoe. Smeaton's Tower, Tinside Lido, the Mayflower Steps and the National Marine Aquarium are the named stops.
- Sail to Roscoff from PlymouthBrittany Ferries runs up to two sailings a day. Most are overnight, taking 9 to 10 hours, with a daytime sailing once a week of about 5 hours 15 minutes.
- Arriving from France? Plan the UK borderA ferry from Roscoff lands you at a UK port, so check whether your passport needs a UK ETA before you sail. Sort it before boarding, not at the quay.UK ETA explained
- Use Plymouth as a gateway to the westTrains and roads run on to Cornwall and east to Torquay and Exeter, so a night here works as a link in a longer Southwest loop.Southwest England
- Pair it with the English RivieraTorquay and Brixham are along the coast to the east, and Torbay is a UNESCO Global Geopark.Torquay
Things to do in Plymouth
See all attractions in Plymouth
Need to know
- Airport
- Exeter (EXT) or Bristol (BRS); no major airport in the city
- Getting there
- Great Western trains from Paddington; Brittany Ferries from Roscoff
- Getting around
- Walking along the waterfront; buses for outlying sights
- Best base
- The Barbican for harbor evenings; the Hoe for views
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 days; a night before or after the ferry
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain14 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Mild, wetJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 121 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wet
- FebruaryRain15 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Mild, wetFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 114 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wet
- MarchRain16 rainy daysHigh10°Low5°Cool, springMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, spring
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh12°Low6°Mild, quietAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Mild, long daysMayRain
Best
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, long days
- JuneRain14 rainy daysHigh17°Low12°Long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyRain14 rainy daysHigh19°Low14°Warm, busyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- AugustRain14 rainy daysHigh19°Low14°Warm, busyAugustRain
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 93 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- SeptemberRain14 rainy daysHigh17°Low12°Mild, calmSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 116 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calm
- OctoberRain17 rainy daysHigh14°Low11°Autumn lightOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 158 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn light
- NovemberRain16 rainy daysHigh11°Low8°Wet, windyNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 148 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, windy
- DecemberRain17 rainy daysHigh10°Low7°Mild, short daysDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 159 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, short days
Average daily high and low in Plymouth, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Plymouth
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 4°
- Humidity
- 70%
- Wind
- 19 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Plymouth
08:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today12°8°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue12°7°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed9°7°12%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Thu8°6°33%Thursday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Fri9°5°29%Friday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 29%.
- Sat10°6°22%Saturday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Sun9°4°21%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 9°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 21%.
Updated 08:35 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Torquay and Brixhamalong the coast to the eastThe English Riviera towns on the Torbay Geopark coast.Read the guide
- Dartmoorshort drive northOpen moorland and tors for walks beyond the city.Read the guide
- Cornwallacross the Tamar by road or railFishing harbors and beaches just beyond the river.Read the guide
Before you go to Plymouth
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Rules for Plymouth, checked
- Brittany Ferries Plymouth to Roscoff: up to two sailings a day, mostly overnight; daytime sailings take about 5 hours 15 minutes, overnight 9 to 10 hours.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Plymouth
The English Riviera along the coast to the east
Read the guideDartmoorOpen moorland just north of the city
Read the guideCornwallHarbors and beaches across the Tamar
Read the guideSouthwest EnglandDevon, Cornwall and the road beyond
Read the guideVisas and entryUK ETA, the border and what to carry
Read the guideAll of EnglandCities, rail, entry rules and money
Read the guidePlymouth FAQ
Is Plymouth worth visiting?
Yes for a night or two: the Hoe, the Barbican harbor and the aquarium make a waterfront city break, and the ferry to Roscoff makes it a gateway. It is a base for Dartmoor and Cornwall more than a standalone week.
How long is the ferry from Plymouth to Roscoff?
Brittany Ferries lists daytime sailings of about 5 hours 15 minutes and overnight sailings averaging 9 to 10 hours. Up to two sailings run daily, mostly overnight, with a daytime sailing once a week.
How many days do you need in Plymouth?
One to two days cover the Hoe, the Barbican, the Mayflower Steps and a museum or aquarium. Add a day for Dartmoor or the English Riviera.
Where should you stay in Plymouth?
The Barbican for harbor evenings and restaurants, the Hoe for sea views, Millbay for an early ferry. Plymouth is compact, so any of these puts the waterfront within a short walk or ride.
When is the best time to visit Plymouth?
May, June, September and October give long days and mild weather. July and August are busier along the harbor, and winter is wet and windy, with some boat trips paused.