Seafest 2024 to Make Waves with Plymouth Sound National Marine Park Uplift  

4th September 2024

This year Seafest is set to expand beyond The Barbican and Waterfront as Plymouth Sound National Marine Park joins forces with Plymouth Waterfront Partnership to offer over 1000 free activities for festival goers to take part in.

Due to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Youth Investment Fund and Plymouth City Council, Plymouth Sound National Marine Park are able to deliver free taster sessions through its delivery partners, Tinside Lido, Mount Batten Watersports and Activities Centre and Mount Edgcumbe Country Park.

Seafest, which takes place over the weekend of the 14 and 15 September, has something to offer everyone, from free swim sessions at Tinside Lido to standup paddleboar and kayak tasters at Mount Batten. If you prefer to enjoy the water from a distance you can join a free tour of Mount Edgcumbe House or scale the 17^th Century Mount Batten Tower.

To help people hop between each of Seafest’s locations, Plymouth Sound National Marine Park are subsidising the ferry between Mount Batten and The Barbican and onto Royal William Yard and Mount Edgcumbe.

Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store for 2024:

Tinside Lido are offering 600 FREE bookable swimming sessions throughout the weekend (150 will be reserved for walk-in slots). In collaboration with Swim England and the RNLI, 72 FREE Swim Safe sessions will be available for young people aged 7–14 years. There will also be 72 FREE beginner SCUBA and snorkeling sessions available across the weekend.

Over at the Mount Batten Watersports and Activity Centre there will be up to 320 FREE taster sessions up for grabs, choose between standup paddleboard, kayak and sailing - check the website for age restrictions and booking. On Sunday Mount Batten Tower will be open to the public to explore throughout the day.

Mount Edgcumbe are opening the doors to its house on Sunday 15 September to offer 120 FREE tours.

Councilor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member for Events comments, “I am so excited that we can offer lots of free ‘have a go sessions’ across Plymouth Sound National Marine Park as part of our contribution to the Seafest weekend. We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to experience what the Park has to offer.

“You can book onto free swimming sessions, try snorkeling and paddle sports, we are even subsidising the ferry to ensure transport costs don’t stop people from getting involved. These activities will really add to what Seafest has to offer, but be quick to book as I am sure lots of people will want to take advantage of this great opportunity”.

In addition to the wide variety of free activities on offer there are lots of other opportunities to join in sea-themed celebrations throughout the weekend at each of the locations including, The Barbican, Tinside Lido, West Hoe, Royal William Yard, Mount Batten Peninsula and Mount Edgcumbe.

To find out more, book free sessions and travel information visit Seafest Plymouth.