Location: 

Plymouth, Devon

Operator

Landscape and Legends

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There has been a settlement at Plymouth for over a thousand years dating back to Anglo Saxon times. Throughout that period this important port has faced the threat of invasion from the Vikings to the Spanish Armada and more recently enemy invasion during World War Two. Take a tour with a Blue Badge Tourist Guide and learn about the vital role that Plymouth played during the Second World War.

The tour will begin at the poignant ruined Charles Church, hit with incendiary bombs during one of the many air raids carried out by the Luftwaffe and left to stand as a monument to the sacrifice made by the people of Plymouth.

You will then walk through the City Centre designed by the town architect Sir Patrick Abercrombie as part of the Plan for Plymouth, a programme of regeneration after the centre was almost completely destroyed by the Blitz. Plymouth boasts the greatest number of Listed 1950s buildings outside of 

London. See how these buildings compliment the historic sites such as St Andrews Church and Pristine House.

Walk by the Royal Plymouth Citadel the magnificent 17th Century fortress and learn of it’s history and the role it played in the defence of Plymouth during WW2. Today this fortress is home to 29 Commando Royal Artillery Regiment.

Take a tour of the iconic Plymouth Hoe and listen to the stories which explain the vital role that Plymouth played during WW2. It boasts stunning panoramic views of Plymouth Sound, Drakes Island and Mount Edgecumbe in Cornwall and has a number of important war memorials including the Royal Marines Memorial, the RAF War Memorial and the Plymouth Naval War Memorial.

Walk through the historic cobbled streets of the Barbican and see some of the buildings the Plymouth Pilgrims stayed in before embarking on their historic journey from the Mayflower steps across the ocean to the New World in 1620.

Now it’s your turn to emulate the Pilgrims and leave the Mayflower steps by boat. Sail across Plymouth Sound past Drakes Island and along the Hamoaze, heading for the River Tamar. You will get dramatic views of the Royal William Yard the old Victualing station for the Royal Navy dating back to 1826. You will sail past Mount Wise and the National Scott Memorial on your way to Devonport Dockyard and the Plymouth Naval Base, the largest in Western Europe.

Why not bring History alive by having your very own Winston Churchill to show you the historic parts of Plymouth and share a snippet of the speeches which gave a Nation hope. Bespoke activities can also be provided for children which can include sticker trails, quizzes and dressing up opportunities to enhance the experience for children of all ages. This is an optional extra and comes at no extra cost.

The Highlights:  

• A 2-hour walking tour of Plymouth with a Blue Badge Guide
• 30-minute walking tour of the historic Barbican
• Elizabethan Gardens a place of 16^th century tranquillity
• Optional extra cream tea in a local tearoom or a pint and a pasty in one of Barbican pubs
• Boat trip up the River Tamar with views of Cornwall, the Royal William Yard and the Plymouth Naval Base.

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Price

£30 per person based on a group of 15 including commissions and boat trip. £25 per child.

Group Size

Min 2, max 20.

Contact

Adrian Chapman BSc Hons MITG

www.landscapesandlegends.co.uk
07982943178
Landscapesandlegends@gmail.com