Mayflower Tour
Plymouth Hoe and Plymouth's place in History
One of the South West's most iconic landscapes including Smeaton's Tower and spectacular views of Drakes Island and Plymouth Sound. There has been a settlement at Plymouth for over a thousand years and it boasts a fascinating history being a port of great strategic importance. It has been a place where many voyages of exploration have been launched. These voyages have involved such characters as Sir Francis Drake, Captain James Cook, Charles Darwin and Sir Francis Chichester.
Listen to the stories that this city has to tell and learn about the people who have shaped it's destiny. Plymouth has played an important part in the defence of an island nation over many different conflicts from the Hundred Years War to the Spanish Armada and more recently World War ll.
Plymouth and the Mayflower
In 1620 a group of Pilgrims set sail from Plymouth to flee religious persecution hoping to forge a new life in a new world. Travel back in time to hear their story brought to life through storytelling and dramatic performance.
Visit the Elizabethan Gardens which are hidden from easy view and take you back to the sixteenth century. Take a walk down the cobbled streets of New Street past the Elizabethan Merchant's House and onto the Island House which was once surrounded by water. The Old Custom House the former residence of Captain Bligh of the Bounty was also a place where the pilgrims could have stayed.
Visit the Mayflower Museum to find out about the Pilgrim's voyage on the Mayflower and then it's off to the Mayflower steps themselves for that all important photo opportunity.
Boat trip to the Breakwater and around Drake's Island
Sail across Plymouth Sound to the Plymouth Breakwater described by Napoleon "As a Very fine thing" It has protected the ships of Plymouth for nearly 200 years. Get up close to one of the Palmerston Forts which were built in the 1860s to ward off possible invasion from the French.
You will then sail around Drake's Island, formally known as St Michael's Island it was renamed in honour of the former sea adventurer and City Mayor. You will get an amazing view of the Island's fortifications.
Why not make a day of it?
Visit the Box, Plymouth's 46 million pound refurbished museum which archives Plymouth's rich history in a very modern setting. It contains over 2 million artefacts including film photographs art and even a Woolly Mammoth!