Planning your visit to Sutton harbour
Enjoy Sutton Harbour
Visit
Plymouth is a vibrant waterfront city packed with a huge range of family-friendly venues, popular attractions and historic landmarks. There’s plenty for all ages to enjoy from high-street shopping to exploring the National Marine Aquarium, and all within a 10 minute walk.
The city is steeped in history and Sutton Harbour, formerly known as Sutton Pool, is one of the oldest parts of Plymouth and the original port for the city. Known for its cobbled streets and maritime history, the harbour not only has a full range of amenities on its doorstep but it is also home to some leading national attractions and exciting entertainments.
There is plenty of accessible parking in the area making Sutton Harbour the perfect base to explore the rest of the city. Read on for our suggestions for places to stay and things to do.
The Perfect Stay
Whether you’re looking for an overnight stay, a long weekend break or a summer holiday, there’s plenty of accommodation to choose from in Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City.
Plymouth offers excellent national attractions, famous historical landmarks and a bustling city centre, as well as a busy events calendar to enjoy, and is fast becoming one of the top travel destinations in the country.
Sutton Harbour is based in the heart of the city and is perfectly placed to make the most of all Plymouth has to offer, with a range of accommodation nearby making it easy to explore. Visitors can choose from an extensive variety of hotels, B&Bs and serviced apartments, many in close proximity to the harbour and the adjacent historic Barbican as well as the famous Plymouth Hoe.
Mayflower Steps
At the entrance of the harbour lies the Mayflower Steps Memorial commemorating the site where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America on board the Mayflower in 1620.
Adjacent to the steps is the Mayflower Museum, which details the legendary voyage, bringing to life the reality of the day-to-day living conditions on board. Visitors can also take a walk through history on the one-mile Harbour Heritage Trail circling Sutton Harbour.
Historical Attractions
Hidden amongst the streets leading to the harbour, the Elizabethan House and Gardens offers an authentic recreation of Plymouth in the 16th century. The house was opened as a museum in 1930 after being saved from demolition and retains many of its original features, with six rooms on three floors.
The Merchant’s House is situated in one of Plymouth’s oldest streets and is one of the city’s finest surviving examples of a 16th and 17th century residence. The house features seven themed rooms spanning Plymouth’s history and shows the contrast of living conditions across the class system.
Harbour Heritage Trail
Enjoy the one-mile circular route around Plymouth’s historic harbour, which offers a glimpse into centuries of the city’s fascinating history. Take a tour around Plymouth’s maritime past and visit some of our famous waterfront landmarks on the Harbour Heritage Trail. The App is now available to download from the Apple store and Google Play.
The Barbican
Renowned for its cobbled streets and Tudor buildings, this historic quarter spans Southside Street and the surrounding streets with a host of independent shops, cafes, art galleries, and the famous Plymouth Gin Distillery, the oldest working gin distillery in England, which is based in a building dating back to 1431.
Drake Circus Shopping Centre
Plymouth’s most popular shopping centre with over 70 of the biggest high street names and top brands. Drake Circus offers 1,270 parking spaces, a food court and free Wi-Fi.
National Marine Aquarium
The UK’s largest aquarium is home to over 4,000 animals and the deepest tank in the country. Offering a range of family-friendly activities, events and exhibits, the NMA also operates as a charity known as the Ocean Conservation Trust.
The Barcode
Plymouth’s newest leisure and entertainment development, The Barcode boasts a variety of top restaurants including Five Guys and Zizzi, along with two 18-hole adventure golf courses, and a new, state-of-the-art 14 screen IMAX cinema.
Barbican Leisure Park
With a range of popular restaurants and attractions including Nando’s, Bella Italia and Pizza Hut as well as Tenpin Bowling, Pryzm nightclub and Vue Cinema, the leisure park offers free parking to all visitors and includes the Nuffield Health: Fitness and Wellbeing Gym.
Theatre Royal Plymouth
Plymouth’s newest leisure and entertainment development, The Barcode boasts a variety of top restaurants including Five Guys and Zizzi, along with two 18-hole adventure golf courses, and a new, state-of-the-art 14 screen IMAX cinema.
Plymouth Pavilions
An all-round entertainment venue equipped with an ice skating rink and full-sized arena, hosting concerts for some of the biggest names in music, dance and comedy.
The Hoe & Smeaton’s Tower
Soak up the stunning views of the natural amphitheatre of Plymouth Sound from the Hoe promenade and seafront. The iconic Smeaton’s Tower lighthouse with its red and white stripes was rebuilt on the Hoe in the mid-19th century after sitting on Eddystone Reef for over 100 years.
Tinside Lido
Plymouth’s iconic outdoor swimming pool opens to the public from May to September. The 1935 Art Deco lido sits on the seafront just below Plymouth Hoe.
Day trips
There are some stunning destinations to discover near Plymouth for an exciting day trip out of the city. Enjoy spectacular scenery with walks at Mount Edgcumbe, Saltram House and Gardens, and Dartmoor National Park or take a boat trip to Cornish coastal villages like Cawsand, Kingsand and Calstock. Boat tours leave from the harbour entrance for the River Tamar or the Dockyard.
Beaches
Just outside the city, there are sandy beaches to visit at Bovisand and pebble beaches at Wembury and Mount Batten. A short drive away you will find some of the best golden sandy beaches in the South West including Whitsand Bay in South East Cornwall and Bigbury, Bantham and Mothercombe in the South Hams.
Stay
Hotels in the area offer high-quality facilities, stunning coastal views and easy access to Plymouth’s main attractions. Across the city are numerous bed and breakfast and comfortable guesthouse accommodations, which range in facilities and prices. Many are listed on trusted sites such as Airbnb.
Accommodation is also available a short way outside of the city for those looking to explore the wider Devon area and thanks to excellent transport links, you can easily connect to the city centre.
Premier Inn Sutton Harbour – 28 Sutton Road, Plymouth PL4 0HT
Premier Inn Lockyer’s Quay – 1 Lockyers Quay, Coxside, Plymouth PL4 ODX
Jurys Inn – 50 Exeter Street, Plymouth PL4 0AZ
The Duke of Cornwall Hotel – Millbay Road, Plymouth PL1 3LG
New Continental Hotel – Millbay Road, Plymouth PL1 3LD
Plymouth Travelodge – Derry’s Cross, Plymouth PL1 2SW
