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Spring is just around the corner, so why not welcome the season with a relaxing stroll, enjoying the blooming flowers, warmer weather, and fresh spring air! Looking for inspiration on where to go? Keep reading to discover our top spots for enjoying spring in Plymouth.
1. The Hoe
Home to the iconic Smeaton’s Tower, The Hoe is perhaps Plymouth’s most recognisable landmark. Offering stunning views across Plymouth Sound and as far as Cornwall, it’s the perfect place for a leisurely walk along the promenade or for relaxing in one of its lush green spaces. Spring is a particularly good time to visit, as plenty of flowers begin to bloom.
The Hoe also features several historic landmarks, including the statue of Sir Francis Drake and The Royal Citadel. Along the waterfront are several cafés where you can stop for a drink after your stroll admiring the breathtaking views. Looking for waterside cafés to try in Plymouth? Find them here!
2. Devonport Park
Devonport Park is a classic Victorian park with wide lawns, formal flowerbeds and a traditional bandstand. In spring the borders and trees add plenty of colour, and the mix of play areas, café and long paths makes it a great spot for family walks, picnics and views across the river.
3. Central Park
Plymouth’s largest park, Central Park is the perfect blend of nature and recreational activities. Located just a short distance from the city centre, it offers something for everyone to enjoy the outdoors. In spring, the park’s beautiful gardens come alive with colourful flowers, while its large open spaces are ideal for walking dogs or simply relaxing. There are also tennis courts, a skate park, and a state-of-the-art playground featuring trampolines, hammocks, climbing structures, and a zip wire.
Within the park is the Plymouth Life Centre, where you can swim, climb, and take part in various activities. If you are looking for a peaceful walk or need somewhere to entertain the whole family, Central Park is the place to go.
4. Freedom Fields
A short walk from the city centre will bring you to Freedom Fields, a park offering some of the best panoramic views of Plymouth, stretching across Plymouth Sound and beyond. The park features plenty of open green spaces, making it perfect for dog walking or enjoying picnics in the warmer weather.
Spring is an ideal time to visit as its wildflower meadow bursts into life with bluebells, snowdrops, and wild daffodils. The park also boasts a playground and sports facilities, meaning it's great for the whole family.
5. Dartmoor – Cadover Bridge
For a wilder spring escape, head out to Dartmoor and start at Cadover Bridge, where the River Plym winds through open moorland and rocky banks. It’s a brilliant spot for a countryside walk, with wide views, grazing ponies and plenty of space to explore. In spring, the moorland turns fresh green and the gorse starts to flower.
6. Plymbridge Woods
Follow part of the Plym Valley Trail through Plymbridge Woods for a spring walk rich in wildlife and greenery. The old railway line has been converted into a traffic‑free path, making it perfect for walking, running, or cycling. There are several access points, benches, and viewpoints over the River Plym, so you can tailor the walk to your pace and time.
7. Saltram
Saltram House and its surrounding parkland are another excellent spring destination. This grand Georgian house sits in a landscaped park with sweeping lawns, ornamental trees, and winding paths. In spring the grounds are dotted with bulbs, blossom, and early flowers, and there are woodland trails, a small café, and a play area.
8. Mount Edgcumbe Country Park
A short ferry ride from Plymouth takes you to Mount Edgcumbe Country Park in Cornwall, a huge estate with formal gardens, woodland, and coastal paths all looking out over Plymouth Sound. In spring you’ll see blossom trees, daffodils, and carpets of bluebells in the wooded areas. There are plenty of walking routes, picnic spots, and even a café and adventure playground, so it works well for a full‑day spring outing.
9. Buckland Abbey
If you’re looking for a place to enjoy spring at its best, Buckland Abbey is well worth a visit. Originally a medieval abbey, it was later converted into a grand Tudor house. This National Trust property is set within an expansive estate of ancient woodlands, with circular walks that offer stunning views of the Tamar Valley and the Abbey itself.
The gardens are equally enchanting, featuring a walled kitchen garden, an Elizabethan garden, and a wild garden. Each provides a peaceful setting filled with flowers, herbs, and more to explore and enjoy.
10. Tamar Valley
The Tamar Valley is a protected National Landscape that stretches along the River Tamar on the Devon–Cornwall border, just upriver from Plymouth. In spring, its steep wooded slopes, orchards and riverside meadows are filled with blossom and wildflowers, and the whole valley feels like a peaceful escape that is still only a short journey from the city.
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In partnership with GWR, Destination Plymouth’s lead travel partner
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