Things to do in Plymouth/soft play

[LiamsMama38]

Hi,

We're going to Plymouth for my DS 5th birthday. He said he wants to go to a soft play on the day, so I'm after recommendations, please. I looked at the Plymouth soft play cafe, but it's closed on Sundays.

I'd also love to hear recommendations on other places to visit the rest of the week please.

Wild Things in Drakes Circus, or Drakes Den at Estover ( if it doesn't have to be central? ). Haven't been to either, as DS2 has
aged out of softplay.

The box museum is worth a visit, it has ship figureheads and a life size woolly mammoth. You can see lots of history in and around the hoe and climb the lighthouse steps for super view. The barbican is nice for a drink, ice cream or fish and chips from the Harbourside, best chippy ever, can eat in upstairs or outside. Captain Jaspers is popular for breakfast type baps. Saltram house and gardens are lovely too, theres some nice walks along the river there too. You could visit royal William yard via ferry from the barbican or ferry to Cawsands for a little village and beach, its very pretty. Mount edgeCombe is a short ferry ride to lovely gardens and historical house. The city centre is not the prettiest especially now as renovations are taking place but there are some good restaurants and the indoor market has some quirky food places.

The Elizabethan house near the barbican is nice too.

The Barbican is nice to walk around and to get some fish and chips and the aquarium is really good. Then up to the lighthouse on the Hoe. If you walk on to West How there is a crazy golf and some fun kids rides - I think it's called Treasure island now.

If you're planning to explore outside Plymouth then Dartmoor isn't too far, Hound tor is further out but our favourite with kids. The tor is close to the car park and great for clambering and there's a ruined medieval village behind to explore. Maybe too far away though depending on your plans.

Wembury is a fairly close beach but I'm not a fan, Bigbury and Batham are a bit further but 100 times nicer IMO. Can't answer on softplay though as mine are too old now.

Thank you. I've just done a route from where we're staying and it's about an hour away. I dont know if I need to change the area I'm searching in. We seem to be quite a way from anything 😅 the address is Maker, Torpoint.

Thank you, I will have a look into these.

Thank you for your recommendations, really helpful.

Oh dear. I live in Torpoint and Maker is quite a trek from me. A nice dog walk though if you're feeling energetic.

They do call the Rame Peninsula Cornwall's forgotten corner. You do have to go to Plymouth for most things, or further down into Cornwall. Possibly there's something this side in Saltash or Liskeard.

You might be better looking westwards towards Looe and Downderry from Maker. However, I can't help with softplay options in that direction as my knowledge is wildly out of date.

The Donkey Park in the Tamar Valley at Drakewalls?

I’m close to Maker. There’s no soft play this side of the Tamar that is closer than heading to Plymouth.

Do you really want soft play though when there are so many lovely beaches?

If you want to go into Plymouth - it’s much less than an hour’s journey though. Hop on the Torpoint ferry (10 mins drive), ferry takes 10 mins - there can be a queue - and then you’re in Plymouth.

Why don't you drive (or walk? maybe not with a 5 year old) down into Cawsand, park in the car park there and get the beach ferry to the Barbican? The beach at Cawsand is nice anyway with rock pools etc and the little boat is fun for children - about 30 minutes minutes to the Barbican. Then you have all the stuff people mentioned. The aquarium is really good and there used to be a soft play in there too though I don't know if it's still there. As someone else mentioned, there are some little rides at West Hoe and there is the big swimming pool at Tinside Lido, as well as lots of places to get things like ice cream and fish and chips. Then you can get the beach ferry back (last one at 4.30 pm) and then you can have a drink or ice cream at The Bay before heading back to Maker. Are you camping at Maker Heights

The ferry queue shouldn't be too bad now the third one is back from it's refit.

The soft play cafe might be a bit young for a 5 year old anyway. You’d be better going to Drake’s Den or Ocean City Soft Play.

Some of the tourist-y day out places have really excellent soft play. Woodlands might be a bit further than you want to travel, but their soft play is incredible.

Thank you for the tip 👍

Aw, cute. Thank you for the recommendation

The aquarium

I know you said soft play but this was lovely with the kids when we went a few years ago ( sorry don’t have a more recent recommendation) https://www.hiddenvalley.co.uk/

Trust me, I've had this conversation with DS and his mind is set on soft play 😅 if I don't find anywhere suitable then we'll go elsewhere.

Thank you. I have a feeling we'll be using the ferry a fair bit!

Looe crabbing!!! Kids love it.

Everywhere is a bit of a trek from Maker!

That all sounds lovely. I think we'll definitely be fitting all that in during our stay. We're staying at Fort Picklecombe.

Thank you, I'll definitely keep it in mind!

Ooh that looks good, a nice mix of things. Thank you.

Thank you.

I think I should have looked into the area a bit more before booking but we were sold on the views 😅