Cornwall

As Plymouth borders the Tamar river, it’s just a short hop across by bridge or ferry to explore the Cornish coastline and countryside.

This means that Plymouth is the perfect base for you to explore South East Cornwall – or makes a great point to break up a trip further west.

Famous for its dramatic coastline, captivating fishing villages and spectacular sweeping beaches, Cornwall is a beautiful place to visit. This peninsula is almost completely surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and is home to a pounding surf that provides a natural playground for all varieties of water sports.

Go by boat directly from the heart of Plymouth to visit the smuggler’s villages of Kingsand and Cawsand, or the beautiful Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park, with more than 865 acres to explore.

Alternatively, the Torpoint ferry leaves you a short drive from the Rame peninsula and the three miles of sandy beaches at Whitsand Bay.

Further afield, but still a reasonable drive from Plymouth, you can explore the county’s military history at Cornwall’s Regimental Museum, step inside another world at the famous Eden Project or tuck into traditional treats (like a pasty!) at one of the many towns and villages within day tripping distance, including Looe, Callington or Padstow.