Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Smeaton's Tower
( 01752-304774; The Hoe; adult/child £2.60/1.30; 10am-noon & 1-4pm Tue-Sat Apr-Sep)
The red-and-
white stripes of Smeaton's Tower rise from the middle of Plymouth Hoe. The whole 70ft
structure used to stand on the Eddystone Reef, 14 miles offshore, and was transferred
here, brick by brick, in the 1880s. For an illuminating insight into the lives of past light-
house keepers, head up the winding stone stairs and through a series of circular rooms.
Some 93 steps later you'll emerge onto an open-air platform with stunning views of the
city, Dartmoor and the sea.
LIGHTHOUSE
National Marine Aquarium
MAP
AQUARIUM
GOOGLE MAP
( 0844 893 7938;
www.national-aquarium.co.uk
; Rope Walk; adult/child/family £12.75/8.75/37; 10am-5pm, to
6pm Apr-Sep)
The futuristic glass lines of this innovative aquarium are wittily sited next to
the city's pungent Fish Market - an interesting dead-fish/live-fish juxtaposition. Here
sharks swim in coral waters teeming with moray eels and vividly coloured fish - there's
even a loggerhead turtle called Snorkel who was rescued from a Cornish beach. Walk-
through glass arches ensure huge rays glide over your head, while the immense Atlantic
Reef tank reveals just what's lurking a few miles offshore. The aquarium focuses on con-
servation; look out for tanks containing home-reared cardinal fish, corals and incredibly
cute seahorses.
City Museum and Art Gallery
MAP
MUSEUM
GOOGLE MAP
( 01752-304774;
www.plymouthmuseum.gov.uk
;
Drake Circus; 10am-5pm Tue-Sat)
The imagin-
ative displays conjure up Plymouth's rich history. Look out for Napoleonic-era bone mod-
el ships and the skis of doomed Antarctic explorer Captain Robert Falcon Scott - a Ply-
mouth man.
Merchant's House
MAP
HISTORIC BUILDING
GOOGLE MAP
( 01752-304774; 33 St Andrews St; adult/child £2.60/1.30; 10am-noon & 1-5pm Tue-Sat Apr-Sep)
Curiosit-
ies pack this 17th-century building - from manacles, truncheons and a ducking stool, to a
replica 19th-century school room and a Victorian pharmacy where you can try old-fash-
ioned pill rolling.
