Plymouth - Modern City by the Sea, The Gateway to Devon

The area around Plymouth has been settled since the Bronze Age. The modern seaside town and port lies on the fertile plains of Plymouth Sound between the mouths of the River Tamar and the Plym. The town has always been an important departure point for travelers leaving England for the rest of the world, and it was from this town that the Pilgrim Fathers set sail to the Americas in 1620, ensuring that Plymouth would make its way into the history books forever.

Unfortunately, Plymouth's strategic importance meant that many of the most historic buildings were destroyed during the Second World War when it became an important target for the German forces, but this has allowed a modern and pleasant city to grow up in place of the old town, providing a refreshing change to many of the other Victorian towns that lie along the South Coast of Devon on the English Riviera.

The main street in Plymouth town center is Union Street. This thoroughfare contains some of the oldest buildings in town including the New Palace Theater which regularly attracts performers from all over the world thanks to its position as one of the foremost venues in the South West of England.

Plymouth is today one of the most important ports used by the Royal Navy. For many years, the harbor was the base for aircraft carriers including the flagship of the Navy, the Ark Royal, but since the 1970s, it has been a nuclear submarine base where the main missile boats are laid up in between missions.

The large naval presence in Plymouth throughout the year means that nightlife in the town is often dominated by the young men and women of the forces when they are on shore leave. Some of the bars close to the harbor front can be fairly rowdy at night, but there is generally a fairly relaxed atmosphere to enjoy.

Although Plymouth itself does not boast the best beaches in Devon, there are several excellent coves within a ten minute drive of the town where you can enjoy lying out in the sun on a hot day. The region is very popular with tourists from all over the country, and in July and August, the weather is normally excellent across Devon, making it the ideal place to spend time with family in order to enjoy the range of attractions close to Plymouth.