Make memories this summer in Britain’s Ocean City

Spectacular seascapes, Instagram-worthy backdrops and adventures galore – Plymouth has it all rolled into one memorable summer staycation.

And that’s pretty impressive for one of the world’s most underrated destinations.

According to Time Out magazine the historic port is among the 14 most overlooked spots on the globe – ranking alongside places like Mongolia – praised for its myriad of attractions that have always been a draw for travellers and adventurers alike.

And this summer, savvy visitors will discover it’s the perfect place for a quintessential British holiday. Best of all, it is on the doorstep of much of the South West, easily reachable within an hour or so of Honiton, Dawlish, Torquay, Bodmin and St Austell among others.

As home to the UK’s first National Marine Park, its credentials as a seaside destination could hardly be better and across the city and its coastline, there are so many ways to connect with the ocean as well as the countryside, history and culture.

Kids of all ages will enjoy the Mountbatten Sport and Activity Centre’s Kayak & Raft Family Fun: team up and paddle off on a large kayak to explore the local area. Learn the basics of kayaking while completing fun games and challenges along the way before boarding a family-sized raft for more wet and wild games. Or try a stand-up paddle board session.

Strictly for adults only, is a visit to Plymouth Gin, England’s oldest working distillery which has been making gin to the original recipe since 1793. Guests are invited to enjoy either a classic Plymouth Gin Distillery Tour, an enhanced Gin Connoisseur’s Tour with dedicated tasting or a Master Distillers Tour, where they get the opportunity to select their very own botanicals and distil a bottle to take away with them.

For total relaxation, get away from it all at the glorious Boringdon Hall Hotel's Gaia Spa. Exclusively for adults, this very special Spa is set in a sumptuous manor house at Colebrook, Plympton and offers a full range of treatments including a champagne enzyme facial.

Everyone can indulge at China Fleet Country Club, just 15 minutes from Plymouth city centre, where China Fleet Adventure Golf promises the ultimate day out with 18 holes of exciting crazy golf to conquer, streams to tackle and trees to avoid.

Indoor golfers from pre-schoolers to grandparents can tee off at Paradise Island Adventure Golf at the city’s Drake Circus where two 18-hole adventure golf courses span 16,000 square feet of tropical utopia complete with twists, turns, bumps and treacherous swamps.

For a different vibe, there’s Plymouth’s vibrant cultural scene, including the impressive museum, gallery and archive The Box where this summer, a major new exhibition Reframing Reynolds: A Celebration, marks the 300th anniversary of the birth of portrait painter Sir Joshua Reynolds who was born in nearby Plympton St Maurice.

And for an unforgettable adventure it’s hard to beat the Mount Edgcumbe Alpaca Trekking Experience: meet the alpaca and learn about their routines before preparing them for their walk and heading off to explore in the company of these adorable furry friends.

There is more animal magic at Dartmoor Zoo, the subject of the hit movie We Bought A Zoo, starring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson, and based on the life of Benjamin Mee who bought the site and created the zoo which he has since donated to the Dartmoor Zoological Society.

Of course, one vital element of a holiday is sampling the local food and drink and there are dozens of exciting options on the menu in Plymouth: Turtle Bay restaurant, outside Drake Circus Shopping Centre, is a Caribbean-inspired mix of rum, reggae and jerk, where cocktails, mocktails and delicious food can be enjoyed as soft reggae beats and the magic of the Caribbean soothe your soul.

And for a traditional Devon Cream Tea or dinner in an award-winning restaurant, visit The Bedford Hotel in the heart of Tavistock within the Tamar Valley, where the focus is on the finest local and seasonal ingredients. For a family-friendly bite (and the family dog is allowed to join too) head to Boston Tea Party; with their location at a beautiful spot on Sutton Harbour and based in the historic Grade II listed, three-stories high Jamaica House, stunning views over the marina towards the Barbican welcome their guests, who can choose between a lovingly restored indoor area or a flower-enclosed outdoor terrace. And this is also the first café to ban single-use cups!

If a bit of retail therapy is your holiday vice, then Plymouth Market – there’s been one here since 1253! – and Drake Circus Shopping Centre should fulfil all your shopping needs. The current Plymouth Market, in a Grade II listed building on Cornwall Street in the city’s West End, has more than 140 stalls and is a hidden gem for foodies who love independent eateries. There is everything from Turkish street food, Persian and Mauritian dishes, authentic Nepalese food and a taste of Thailand or Vietnam to doughnuts and pasties or a traditional roast dinner. Drake Circus on Charles Street is a shopping magnet for the whole of the South-west where you can also eat, drink and shop: browse a range of top brands and High Street stores and take a pitstop at a range of popular restaurants.

Britain's Ocean City also has a wide and impressive range of hotel accommodations to cater for all budgets and, whether you need an affordable family room or are off to a couple-only break, check out Future Inn, where the hotels' Canadian roots are shown throughout all of the 143 spacious bedrooms. The hotel is located just 15 mins from Plymouth train station and with easy access from the M5, A38, A386 and A374 - plus free parking.

Whatever you choose to do, Plymouth promises time well spent in this beautiful maritime gem of a city and coast. And you’re guaranteed to go home with a suitcase stuffed full of magical memories.

For all the latest details about What’s On in Plymouth, including information about smaller events taking place throughout the year and a full list of attractions, please see visitplymouth.co.uk.

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In partnership with GWR, Destination Plymouth’s lead travel partner