To ask what there is to do in Plymouth?

[birdiebirdie]

I am staying in Plymouth over Christmas because Dh has a contract there and it’s too far to travel back for the few days off he has so I will be joining him with 3 children 2,5,7 and I am hoping someone can suggest a few things to keep us busy like nice walks, places to visit, markets, woodlands, I’d like it to feel bit like a holiday as I’ll have the children on my own for a few days while he’s working and don’t know the area at all.

If the weather isn’t going to be great, there’s the National marine aquarium and The Box which is a museum which usually has things on. There’s also Real Immersive at the Market Hall which has immersive shows and short films for all ages.

For a walk, there’s NT saltram which has Beautiful grounds with tearooms, cafe and house to explore, with ducks by the cafe pond to feed. They also have a wider estate to walk or cycle round which goes along side the estuary.

I’m sure others will be along soon with more info as I live in East Devon and don’t visit Plymouth that often. Only for the above places or for shopping.

I want to visit the National Marine Aquarium there after watching a TV documentary about it. I've not visited yet though, so no other suggestions.

For a nice walk, Tamar Trails is a good start. Go to the national aquarium if it's open. The villages up and down the Tamar valley are lovely. Tavistock is charming. In Plymouth, it's less easy. Tinside Lido and the Hoe. Buckland Abbey.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Plymouth gin runs a nice tour of the distillery

Plymouth isn't great for things aimed at small children AFAIK like soft plays. But you could use the Torpoint ferry to Mt Edgcumbe which would be good for running around. There's a big swimming pool in the centre of town too. Where are you staying?

The Aquarium is amazing, and once you’ve been once, you can go all year for free, and it’s worth several trips, it’s so good. The Box is free. Drakes Circus is amazing for shopping, has easy parking, a kids play area upstairs with an indoor beach, and loads of kid friendly seats. If they like trampolining, SuperTramp is small and easy to navigate, and they have under 5s sessions. There’s also ClipnClimb for the 5 and 7 yr old. There are boat trips from the quay, you might see some dolphins.

Don't get the Torpoint Ferry to Mount edgecombe- you'll end up in Torpoint. Get the Cremyl Ferry from Royal William Yard.
Soapbox theatre is a must with little kids - absolutely brilliant.

Amazing thank you

Do bring waterproofs. It's unlikely to be cold but good waterproof clothing is the key to enjoying the Sw in winter. You will hate it if you are cold and damp all day.

I second the Torpoint ferry and Mount Edgecombe. We went for a walk from there which might be a bit much for your little ones

Are you depending on public transport or will you have a car?

The area is not easy if you're not a driver, and at Christmas, it will restrict you.

I will be driving.

We like the soft play ‘jump’, super tramp trampoline park and Pennywell farm for this age.

For any particularly cold / inhospitable days the Vue cinemas can keep you occupied for a morning or afternoon, with Pizza Hut for lunch on the same site.

With 3 children aged 2, 5, and 7 ?

Glad to read that you will be driving. In which case, Cotehele is lovely and Antony House too, although it's many years since I did either with smallies.

It’s bound to rain but unlikely to be too cold so take suitable clothing and go onto the moors.

Edgcumbe is closed until April sadly. There are great beaches around though - Mothercombe and Noss Mayo are stunning, also Cawsands and Kingsands. Also check out Wembury Bay - there’s a riding school there too, I think they ride on the beach sometimes.

It rains all the time in Plymouth (or does every time I visit my DD who lives there😅) so raincoats /wellies a must!
If you can face a 45 min drive (inc Torpoint ferry, which costs £3 on the way back) Take them to Looe... fabulous beach no matter the weather, easy parking and lots of lovely shops for kids and adults alike! (Very touristy but in a fun way)

The Box museum is in the centre of the city and has some nice interactive exhibits along with a really cool model of a Woolly Mammoth.

National Aquarium is just off the Barbican which makes a nice walk although little kids might find it a bit boring (the Barbican not the Aquarium).
There is a Clay Art shop there where your kids can paint a premade clay item and then you come back another day to collect it, or get them to post your thing to you.

Buckfast Butterflies and Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary are a short drive away (you can check their website for details).

It's just over the road from the South Devon Railway station which does special train journeys, so you might be able to time a visit with something like the Polar Express trips they are doing in December if your kids would be up for it, or the Festive Ploughmans lunch trips they do if your kids would like a trip on a steam engine.

About a mile from there is Pennywell Farm who run Christmas things some days.

There will be a Christmas Market in the city centre, with the same stuff for sale you see in every city centre in wooden huts.
They usually have some rides and random entertainment going on in the middle of it at the same time.
There is usually a city centre land train that runs up and down the main street which is supposed to be running this year, but I don't know if it will be for sure.

You want to avoid the city centre as much as possible.
Plymouth City Council decided to revamp it, so one half has recently been unveiled as a concrete wasteland after being a building site for a couple of years, while the rest of it is still a building site where there used to be beautiful mature trees.
Do not allow your children to eat outside in the City Centre as seagulls will swoop down to snatch food from your childs hands.
Last time my son forgot that, he ended up getting cut by the beak of the seagull that stole his food - they will even go for little ones in pushchairs so eat inside.

Soapbox Childrens Theatre are doing a Fairy Trail (see their website stiltskin.org.uk)

There is a trampoline park in Plymouth too, but it's for over 3s as far as I know.

It really depends on which days you will be there and how much the 2 year old will be involved in activities.

It is 99% likely that it will be raining and that there will be strong breezes coming off the sea, so make sure you have waterproofs.

There are plenty of parks and green spaces to run around in as long as you don't mind the rain.

the Train of Lights (Paignton) is a great one and operates between Christmas and New Year.

I like to go down to Bigbury Beach and Burgh Island between Christmas and NY - waterproofs and wrapping up warm are essential.

Saltram and Buckland Abbey NTs are good.

The Life Centre in Central Park for swimming. Central Park will also have their ice skating rink/stalls. There’s a nice children’s park there.

The Box Museum abs and the dome in Market Hall are great for rainy day. The soapbox children’s theatre is amazing - they do fabulous snacks and drinks there too.

As everyone has already said plus it’s worth exploring the Hoe, the Barbican and Williams yard.
You aren’t far from Dartmoor zoo.

Theres bowling, the cinema, trampolining etc.

Oh and check out the theatre royal and the pavilions. Usually plenty on!

You will be close to Dartmoor. Lots of wet windy walks on the moor. Ditto the beaches. I love the beaches along Whitsand Bay. You can walk all along at low tide, being mindful not to be cut off going back as the tide comes in.

National Trust - Saltram, Cotohele and Buckland Abbey will all have Christmas things on. Cotohele does a big Christmas garland display and I think there was Father Christmas when we went before.

Carnglaze Caverns - I don’t actually know if they’re open all winter, but this is my favourite little local attraction. You can go see the caverns and learn about mining, but they also have a lovely covered outdoor cafe with heat lamps and board games. You can do slate painting, there’s a fairy trail and a wishing tree. It’s just a really cute little place that isn’t taken over by soft play and a shop selling plastic tat. My 7 year old loves it.