Traditions and culture in Plymouth

Plymouth has long been the largest and most extensive naval base in western Europe and its harbour is widely regarded as one of the finest across the continent.

Sir Francis Drake was reportedly enjoying a game of bowls in the city in 1588 when he decided to set sail with the English Navy in order to defeat the Spanish Armada.

Some 40 years later, the Pilgrim Fathers eventually departed from Plymouth in their quest to travel to the New World, which led to them setting up a namesake for the city in Massachusetts.

Although Plymouth was naturally a major target during World War II and suffered badly from concerted bombing efforts, it continues to rebuild and relaunch itself for the 21st century.

Things to do in Plymouth

Anyone deciding to take a holiday in Plymouth will not be alone - the city welcomes around 12 million visitors every year.

Most note its pleasant green surroundings and its useful location for car hire travellers looking to take day trips to the more decorated beaches and footpaths found in Devon and Cornwall.

The majority of the regeneration is taking place around the Barbican area, whose half-timbered houses and Tudor buildings ooze history and provide excellent views of the harbour.

Boat trips from the Mayflower Steps allow holidaymakers to be close to the site where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for North America, while the National Marine Aquarium is the deepest in Europe.

The Plym Valley cycle path takes in some beautiful countryside and the younger generations will be drawn in by the city's new shopping centre and buzzing nightlife.

Weather in Plymouth

Holiday information for Plymouth must include a look at its climate, particularly as it is one of the best on offer in England.

Its location on the south-west coast means that the weather is warm from May through to late August, with possible temperatures above 25C on the best days.

Winters tend to be cooler - the average temperature is around 3C in January - and anyone on holiday in the city should be prepared for the occasional gust of wind coming in off the coast.

Destination checklist for Plymouth

Plymouth has a population of 250,700.

The city is on UTC time.

The currency in Plymouth is the pound.

The official language spoken is English.

The city's international dialling code is +44.