Liz's Guidebook
Beaches
A lovely sandy beach and a beautiful drive to get there. Park in the field up the hill and it’s about a 15 minute walk to the beach. Not suitable for pushchairs. There is a lovely old school house cafe at the car park. Parking fee sometimes applies. About 30 minutes from the house.
Mothecombe Beach
A popular beach about 50 minutes drive away. Watch the sea come round the island and meet in the middle. Catch the sea ferry when the tide is in. Toilets, ice creams and a big car park.
50 locals recommend
Bigbury Beach
A popular beach about 50 minutes drive away. Watch the sea come round the island and meet in the middle. Catch the sea ferry when the tide is in. Toilets, ice creams and a big car park.
Hope Cove
A beautiful beach with several local restaurants close by.
A very popular local beach. Wembury is National Trust so is free to park for members. It is about a 15 minute drive from the house, it has easy access to the beach, a cafe, toilets and small shop.
48 locals recommend
Wembury Beach
A very popular local beach. Wembury is National Trust so is free to park for members. It is about a 15 minute drive from the house, it has easy access to the beach, a cafe, toilets and small shop.
Another local beach with car park, cafe and toilets. There is a steep walk down to the beach.
25 locals recommend
Bovisand Beach
Another local beach with car park, cafe and toilets. There is a steep walk down to the beach.
Eating out
Perfect for a snack after the beach (Mothercombe) or an evening meal. Very pretty.
28 locals recommend
Schoolhouse Restaurant
Perfect for a snack after the beach (Mothercombe) or an evening meal. Very pretty.
Our favourite family restaurant for birthday and celebrations. Fantastic views across to Cornwall, Dartmoor and the sea. Perfect for steaks and burgers. A taxi from the house costs about £7.
Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill Plymouth
Armada WayOur favourite family restaurant for birthday and celebrations. Fantastic views across to Cornwall, Dartmoor and the sea. Perfect for steaks and burgers. A taxi from the house costs about £7.
Our favourite for date night. Tucked away in a local marina about 10 minutes drive away. Delicious food. Great views over the marina towards the Hoe.
11 locals recommend
The Bridge
55 Shaw WayOur favourite for date night. Tucked away in a local marina about 10 minutes drive away. Delicious food. Great views over the marina towards the Hoe.
For the BEST cream tea! It is about a 40 minute drive away but is the perfect setting for a grown up cream tea. It will cost you about £25 each but you will spend hours in this most beautiful setting.
28 locals recommend
Hotel Endsleigh
For the BEST cream tea! It is about a 40 minute drive away but is the perfect setting for a grown up cream tea. It will cost you about £25 each but you will spend hours in this most beautiful setting.
Walk round the corner to this little cafe. Perfect for breakfast. Very reasonably priced. We love to treat ourselves to breakfast here after a morning run (or swim if you’re feeling brave!). Walk down onto The Quay. When you get to the slipway, turn and walk towards the dinghy compound. You will see a little pathway to the right. This is the coast path. Follow it round the perimeter of the boatyard and when you get to the entrance, walk into the boatyard. The cafe is in there. They are very friendly and on a sunny day you can sit on the sun terrace for lovely views across the water.
The Mess Room Cafe
Breakwater RoadWalk round the corner to this little cafe. Perfect for breakfast. Very reasonably priced. We love to treat ourselves to breakfast here after a morning run (or swim if you’re feeling brave!). Walk down onto The Quay. When you get to the slipway, turn and walk towards the dinghy compound. You will see a little pathway to the right. This is the coast path. Follow it round the perimeter of the boatyard and when you get to the entrance, walk into the boatyard. The cafe is in there. They are very friendly and on a sunny day you can sit on the sun terrace for lovely views across the water.
Delicious fish and chips with the option of sitting in the restaurant or takeaway. Located on the Barbican which has a couple of car parks. There are other fish and chips on the Barbican too.
93 locals recommend
Rockfish
8 South EmbankmentDelicious fish and chips with the option of sitting in the restaurant or takeaway. Located on the Barbican which has a couple of car parks. There are other fish and chips on the Barbican too.
Our local. Very friendly and great to take the children. Very affordable. Our favourite is the Sunday Roast. You will need to book a place.
24 locals recommend
The Kings Arms
17 Fore StOur local. Very friendly and great to take the children. Very affordable. Our favourite is the Sunday Roast. You will need to book a place.
Imperial Garden
45 Ebrington StOur favourite Chinese takeaway. They will deliver for a small fee.
Papa Raj
41 Springfield RdOur favourite Indian takeaway
The sister restaurant to The Mess Room. A half hour walk from the house through Radford Woods. Follow the coast path which runs in front of the house. Turn left out of the house and follow the coast path round.
The Guard Room
20 Barton RdThe sister restaurant to The Mess Room. A half hour walk from the house through Radford Woods. Follow the coast path which runs in front of the house. Turn left out of the house and follow the coast path round.
Positano
36-38 Mayflower StA very popular Italian restaurant located in the city centre.
One of our favourites. About a 20 minute drive away. There is a lovely walk here too. The pub sits on the water and serves very good food.
75 locals recommend
The Ship Inn
One of our favourites. About a 20 minute drive away. There is a lovely walk here too. The pub sits on the water and serves very good food.
This is over the border in Cornwall. We sail over from here in Oreston but you can drive round or catch the water taxi from the Barbican to Cawsand. Monday night is pizza night. You must pre order as they sell out. Basically home made pizza on the beach, yum!
22 locals recommend
The Old Bakery
Garrett StreetThis is over the border in Cornwall. We sail over from here in Oreston but you can drive round or catch the water taxi from the Barbican to Cawsand. Monday night is pizza night. You must pre order as they sell out. Basically home made pizza on the beach, yum!
Food shops
If you visit Tavistock or if you love cheese this is a must visit! We love it! And right next door there is an olive shop!
6 locals recommend
Country Cheeses
Market RoadIf you visit Tavistock or if you love cheese this is a must visit! We love it! And right next door there is an olive shop!
de la Torre's
30 Market RdRight next to the cheese shop in Tavistock. Olives, pickles, humous.......,
Jacka Bakery
38 Southside StA very popular bakery situated on the Barbican.
Organic food shop and cafe. A nice place to stop off on the way back from Mothercombe or Bigbury beaches. About 20 minutes drive from here.
75 locals recommend
Ben's Farm Shop
StavertonOrganic food shop and cafe. A nice place to stop off on the way back from Mothercombe or Bigbury beaches. About 20 minutes drive from here.
Right next to Ben’s Farm Shop. Visit here to pick your own fruit and veg in the summer.
Pips Pick Your Own
Right next to Ben’s Farm Shop. Visit here to pick your own fruit and veg in the summer.
Sightseeing
A lovely market town about 30 minutes drive from the house. The drive takes you through Dartmoor where we often stop for a picnic on the way. Tavistock has a range of shops, a play park and a swimming pool. A great family day out.
157 locals recommend
Tavistock
A lovely market town about 30 minutes drive from the house. The drive takes you through Dartmoor where we often stop for a picnic on the way. Tavistock has a range of shops, a play park and a swimming pool. A great family day out.
If you’re keen you can walk here. It’s about 3 miles to the house. This is our regular morning run! Or you can drive! Saltram often has lots of activities going on, check out their website for details.
62 locals recommend
National Trust - Saltram
If you’re keen you can walk here. It’s about 3 miles to the house. This is our regular morning run! Or you can drive! Saltram often has lots of activities going on, check out their website for details.
A favourite day out. Catch the train from Plymouth to Calstock (beautiful ride). Walk half an hour through the woods to Cotehele. Visit the National Trust house or pop to the cafe on the water for a cream tea.
99 locals recommend
Cotehele House
A favourite day out. Catch the train from Plymouth to Calstock (beautiful ride). Walk half an hour through the woods to Cotehele. Visit the National Trust house or pop to the cafe on the water for a cream tea.
Catch a boat from the Barbican to see Plymouth from the water. The ferry to Cawsand beach runs from here too.
19 locals recommend
Plymouth Boat Trips
Madeira RoadCatch a boat from the Barbican to see Plymouth from the water. The ferry to Cawsand beach runs from here too.
Salcombe HarSpa
Cliff Road45 minute drive away, but a pretty coastal village
There are so many lovely train rides from Plymouth. The scenery is so pretty. We recommend Calstock, Looe (beach) and St.Ives (beautiful harbour and beach).
17 locals recommend
Plymouth Railway Station
There are so many lovely train rides from Plymouth. The scenery is so pretty. We recommend Calstock, Looe (beach) and St.Ives (beautiful harbour and beach).
The iconic red and white lighthouse is situated on the Hoe. Some lovely views from here and plenty of eateries.
47 locals recommend
Hoe Promenade
The iconic red and white lighthouse is situated on the Hoe. Some lovely views from here and plenty of eateries.
Visit a bit of old Plymouth. Plenty of restaurants and shops and nice views. If you drive to Mount batten you can park for free and catch the water ferry over.
141 locals recommend
Barbican
Visit a bit of old Plymouth. Plenty of restaurants and shops and nice views. If you drive to Mount batten you can park for free and catch the water ferry over.
Visit this ex victualling yard for the navy which is now a place to visit with a selection of restaurants. You can walk from here to Devils Point.
150 locals recommend
Royal William Yard
Visit this ex victualling yard for the navy which is now a place to visit with a selection of restaurants. You can walk from here to Devils Point.
Buckfast Abbey
A beautiful abbey that is open to visitors
Family activities
A family favourite when our children were younger. A very friendly farm with lots of activities for the children.
95 locals recommend
Pennywell Farm
Lower DeanA family favourite when our children were younger. A very friendly farm with lots of activities for the children.
Woodlands Family Theme Park
A3122A fun family day out.
Close to Tavistock. Tree surfing, archery, canoeing, bike hire.
74 locals recommend
Tamar Trails Centre
Close to Tavistock. Tree surfing, archery, canoeing, bike hire.
Hire a bike (or take your own) and cycle up the Plym Valley to the Moors. If you have bikes with you, you can do this from the house.
Plymouth Bike Hire
Coypool RoadHire a bike (or take your own) and cycle up the Plym Valley to the Moors. If you have bikes with you, you can do this from the house.
You can pretty much see this from the house. Various bookable water sports activities available during school holidays.
15 locals recommend
Mount Batten Centre
70 Lawrence RdYou can pretty much see this from the house. Various bookable water sports activities available during school holidays.
Tinside Lido
Hoe RoadA pretty outdoor pool on The Hoe
Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery
Tavistock PlacePlymouth’s new museum. Free entry.
South Devon Railway station
Dartbridge RoadVisit on Thomas Day for a very special day out!
Rainy day activities
Walk here from the house. Follow the coast path round beyond the boatyard.
7 locals recommend
Super Tramp Plymouth Trampoline Park
3 Breakwater RdWalk here from the house. Follow the coast path round beyond the boatyard.
Located on the Barbican. Some very impressive large tanks!
208 locals recommend
National Marine Aquarium
Located on the Barbican. Some very impressive large tanks!
Vue Cinema
Shapters RoadA lovely and clean, but small, swimming pool not far from the house.
Fort Stamford Health and Fitness
Jennycliff LaneA lovely and clean, but small, swimming pool not far from the house.
Life Centre
40 Mayflower DrLarge swimming pools, climbing wall, gym,....
Tenpin Plymouth
Barbican ApproachWalks
Burrator Reservoir
A pretty four mile circular.
Shaugh Prior
Another pretty circular walk on the moors.
Plymbridge Woods
Plymbridge RoadWalk or cycle this old railway line.
Drive to the Cremyl ferry. Catch the ferry to Mount Edgecumbe and walk to Cawsand. A lovely couple of hours walk. You can bus back or catch the ferry to the Barbican.
8 locals recommend
Cremyll Ferry
Drive to the Cremyl ferry. Catch the ferry to Mount Edgecumbe and walk to Cawsand. A lovely couple of hours walk. You can bus back or catch the ferry to the Barbican.
Radford Woods Local Nature Reserve
Off White Lady RdWalk from the house to do this 45 minute circular walk.
Walk the coast path from Jenny cliff (10 minute drive from house) to Bovisand. The car park is free and there is a little cafe on the cliff top at Bovisand when you get there. Great for a bacon roll!
Jennycliff Car Park
Staddon LaneWalk the coast path from Jenny cliff (10 minute drive from house) to Bovisand. The car park is free and there is a little cafe on the cliff top at Bovisand when you get there. Great for a bacon roll!
Cann Woods
A 15 minute drive from the house with lots of different walking routes.
There are some nice walks up on the moors here, with some lovely views. Visit the visitor centre for more information.
18 locals recommend
Princetown
There are some nice walks up on the moors here, with some lovely views. Visit the visitor centre for more information.