Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City, is one of Europe’s most vibrant waterfront cities with so much to explore. There’s something for every traveller to experience in this historic city. We have hundreds of years of history to uncover, from Sir Francis Drake and the Spanish Armada, to the Mayflowernsailing in 1620, to a city rebuilt following the Blitz during World War II.

Visit the Barbican and Sutton Harbour for quaint cobbled streets, a picturesque harbour and a wealth of independent shops and restaurants. Here you’ll also find Black Friars Distillery, the working home of Plymouth Gin since 1793, and the oldest working gin distillery in England plus the 400 year old Elizabethan House the only one of its kind.

If you are looking for a relaxing visit to Plymouth for your group then pay a visit to Plymouth Boat Trips. A one-hour harbour cruise departs daily from The Barbican Landing Stage, adjacent to the Mayflower Steps.

This cruise gives you a great introduction to the amazing heritage stories Plymouth holds.

It is a must for History fans to stop by the Mayflower Steps. Learn all about the departure of the Pilgrims on the Mayflower ship, who sailed from the UK to the US in 1620 in search of religious freedom.

    

Suggestive Hidden Heritage itinerary with Plymouth Walking Tours

10am: Meet at Mayflower Steps for Walking Tour and introduction to Plymouth – Plymouth Walking Tours

10.15am: Visit to Mayflower Museum

10.45am: Visit to Elizabethan House

11.15am to 12pm: Walking tour of the Barbican with Plymouth Walking Tours

12.15pm: Drop off at The Box for a group guided visit or Plymouth Boat Trips Harbour tour

   

Prices and group information

Mayflower Musuem

The exhibition explores the Mayflower story in new ways. It begins with Wampanoag history and culture thanks to an on-going partnership with members of the Native American tribal nation.

Their insights are shared alongside the stories of earlier English voyages to America, which shaped histories and legacies on both sides of the Atlantic.

The exhibition considers the impact of English colonisation on indigenous communities – then and now. It also reflects on commemorations through time, and England’s changing, and enduring, relationship with America.

Group Rates

• Adult £3.50
• Concession £3
• Child £2

Maximum to a group of 20 but these can be staggered with at 10 minute interval.

Booking details

E: barbicantic@plymouth.gov.uk
T: +44 (0)1752 306330

    

Plymouth Walking Tours

Plymouth Walking Tours launched in 2023 offering welcoming, engaging and entertaining tours around Plymouth specialising in group visits and bespoke tours.

It was set up by Hannah Pooley. Hannah has worked for large visitor attractions including the National Marine Aquarium, Theatre Royal Plymouth, The Box Museum and Destination Plymouth.

Hannah has lots of experience in visitor engagement, heritage interpretation and digital walking trails.

Plymouth Walking Tours is fully insured and are dedicated to only share researched and authentic stories about Plymouth from the past, present and future.

Bespoke group tours can also be created on request.

Booking details

Max per guide - 20 (additional guides for larger groups can be requested).
£: £120 for 3 hours guiding

E: plymouthwalkingtours@outlook.com
W: plymouthwalkingtours.co.uk

     

Elizabethan House

Elizabethan House is open April – September, Friday to Sunday, from 12pm to 4pm (last entry at 3.30pm). Pre-booked entry can be arranged on alternative dates for groups and travel trade visitors.This historic property, dating back to the late 1500s when Plymouth was a thriving port, has withstood both the slum clearances of the early 1900s and the Blitz of World War Two. Following vital structural and strengthening works, Elizabethan House has been transformed into an immersive visitor experience, showcasing the lives of its residents over the past 400 years.

Opening Days and Rates

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: Entrance from £2.50 per person.

Private visits can be arranged for entrance Tuesday to Thursday. (This year) group numbers 15-50 - £150 - £350 per group.

Please note the max capacity is 15 at once, but it does boast a large garden for guests to wait and explore or they can explore the Elizabethan gardens just up the road in turn.

Booking Details

E: TheBoxEnquiries@plymouth.gov.uk
E: venuehire@plymouth.gov.uk
W: theboxplymouth.com/outside-the-box/elizabethan-house

     

The Box

The Box is Plymouth’s major award-winning museum, art gallery, and archive – located just a short walk from the main city centre. Come and see a series of galleries that showcase the city’s incredible collections with thousands of natural history specimens, a full-size replica woolly mammoth, wonderful works of art, amazing archive film and photography, and fascinating documents, maps, and plans.

The Box Highlights Tour

Price: £175 (max 15 people)

Take an immersive journey through the permanent galleries with their expert guides at The Box. Be introduced to their awe-inspiring historic and artistic collections and meet the life-sized Woolly Mammoth. Discover why Plymouth is Britain’s Ocean City and how our ports have supported Britain’s explorers for centuries whilst interacting with our exhibitions, objects, and activities.

• Tour lasts: 1 hour
• Max: 15 people
• Min: 2 people

Behind The Box Tour

Price: £200 (max 10 people)

Enjoy an exclusive tour behind the scenes at The Box with the expert guides. We care for almost 3 million objects on site and some of the most prized pieces can be found in the basement stores and the architecturally stunning ‘Box in the Sky’. Find out more about how they preserve the historic and artistic collections and how the new building makes them different from other cultural organizations. These tours are extremely limited, so make sure you pre-book to avoid disappointment!

• Recommended for ages: 16+
• Tour lasts: 1 hour
• Max: 10 people
• Min: 2 people

Booking Details

E: venuehire@plymouth.gov.uk
W: theboxplymouth.com

    

Looking to extend your group visit to Plymouth?

Plymouth Boat Trips - 1 hour scenic cruise

The perfect way to see the sights of Plymouth, the one-hour scenic and naval harbour cruise departs daily from The Barbican Landing Stage. The knowledgeable skippers provide an informative commentary as they sail across Plymouth Sound, flanked by the beautiful Devon and Cornish coast. They pass famous landmarks including Plymouth Hoe and Drake’s Island, heading for the river Tamar where the mighty warships and nuclear submarines await!

They offer tour operators:

• Fantastic discounts on the standard price for groups of over 20
• On board buffet deals
• Cruise and quayside lunch deals within the waterfront restaurant ‘The Boathouse’
• Cruise and cream tea deal
• Coach parking where the boats depart

Booking Details

E: info@plymouthboattrips.co.uk
T: 01752 253 153
W: plymouthboattrips.co.uk

    

Plymouth Gin Distillery Tour – 1 hour

This tour involves a fascinating overview of the history of the Distillery as well as an introduction to the Plymouth Gin distillation process and the botanicals which are used.

Visitors also participate in a short, tutored tasting of Plymouth Gin Original, Plymouth Sloe Gin and Plymouth Fruit Cup.

At the end of the tour, guests can choose between a complimentary miniature of Plymouth Gin to take home or enjoy a Plymouth Gin and Tonic at the Refectory Bar.

For group tour information:

• Price - £15 per person or £12 per person for groups of 10+
• Min/max numbers – no minimum size, maximum groups size is 20 people but we can run 2 tours at once, so 40 people per timeslot max

Booking Details

E: info@plymouthdistillery.com
T: 01752 665292

    

Smeaton’s Tower

A centrepiece on Plymouth’s Hoe, Smeaton’s Tower has become one of the South West’s most well-known landmarks. The lighthouse was originally built on the Eddystone reef in 1759 but was taken down in the early 1880s when it was discovered that the sea was undermining the rock it was standing on. Approximately two-thirds of the structure was moved stone by stone to its current resting place on the Hoe.

Now standing at 72 feet high, Smeaton’s Tower offers fantastic views of Plymouth Sound and the city from its lantern room which, along with the rest of the building, has been painstakingly restored to its original glory.

Opening Times

Open April - September 2025 plus selected dates in October, Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm.

Booking Details

Max capacity 15, admission from £2.50

To book you can contact either:

E: TheBoxEnquiries@plymouth.gov.uk
E: venuehire@plymouth.gov.uk

    

Group and Travel Trade services

For more information on Group and Travel Trade visits to Plymouth please visit: www.visitplymouth.co.uk/traveltrade

Here you will find information on group friendly accommodation, attractions, places to eat and you can download our full Plymouth Groups and Travel Trade Brochure.

Contact Jo Butler – Travel Trade Manager –jo.butler@destinationplymouth.org.uk