Things to do in Plymouth over the summer holidays

The summer holidays are here, and Plymouth offers a variety of exciting activities and attractions to keep the whole family entertained. Check out some of our top favourite things to do in the city during the holidays! 

Get outdoors

Dive into Tinside Lido 

Make a splash at Tinside Lido, Plymouth's iconic art deco outdoor pool overlooking the sea. It's open throughout the summer and perfect for lazy afternoons, family swims, or cooling off on a hot day. 

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Explore The Barbican 

Enjoy the sunshine and explore one of Plymouth's most historic areas at The Barbican. The cobbled streets hold many stories of Plymouth's fascinating past and are lined with restaurants, cafes and iconic attractions to explore on your visit.

Take on the Beryl Cook Sculpture Trail

Discover five larger-than-life 3D sculptures inspired by Beryl Cook’s iconic paintings, now brought to life in the very Plymouth locations that sparked her creativity. Created in collaboration with Theatre Royal Plymouth, these striking installations celebrate Cook’s unmistakable humour and love of everyday moments, transforming her much-loved characters into captivating public art you can experience up close. Find out more about the Beryl Cook statues and where you can find them across the city.

Take the plunge in Plymouth Sound National Marine Park this summer

Explore Plymouth Sound National Marine Park this summer. Whether you're having a paddleboard on the water, a swim out to the pontoons in Tinside Cove or simply admiring the view across the Sound, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the surroundings this summer.

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Visit Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park

Take a trip across the water to South East Cornwall and explore the fascinating gardens of Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park . Make your way up the hill to the iconic house built in 1500 and admire the stunning views back across to Plymouth. The gardens are a haven of history and provide a great day out for all of the family.

Go for a wander at Saltram House 

Get outdoors this holiday season at the serene landscapes of Saltram House. A tranquil garden plus historic parkland are waiting to be explored at the picturesque National Trust venue. Saltram have an exciting maritime themed 'Summer of Play' planned, which will see the gardens will be transformed into a playful celebration of all things performance, imagination and adventure. 

Explore the 500 acres of parkland which is home to farmland, beaches, different habitats an estuary and so much more within the stunning environment.

Spot all of the St Luke's Guiding lights Lighthouses

40 lighthouses have sprung up over Plymouth this summer. The St Luke's Guiding Lights Trail sees unmissable 2.4m tall lighthouses across the city. From bold and vibrant to intricate and thought-provoking, each sculpture tells its own story while leading you through Plymouth’s streets, waterfront, and hidden corners.

Perfect for families, art lovers, and curious explorers, this free trail is designed to be enjoyed your way—whether you’re spending the whole day uncovering every stop or simply discovering a few along the route. Don't forget to also check out the Little Lights exhibition at The Box too!

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Discover something new with the Plymouth Trails app

Explore Plymouth during summer in a new way with the Plymouth Trails app. It's free to download from the App Store or Google Play, where you can embark on a number of trails that give you an in-depth tour of the city. 

Indoor attractions 

Visit Plymouth's award-winning museum, The Box

Beat the heat and explore The Box this summer. It's free to enter and is home to interactive exhibits, galleries which delve into Plymouth's past, family-friendly sessions, and more. Current exhibitions at the museum include Echoes of Us and Gillian Ayres: A Life in Colour.

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Challenge a friend at Continue Arcades

If the weather is a bit wet (as we know a British summer can be!) head to Continue Arcades in Plymouth city centre. Enjoy unlimited play across more than 40 arcade machines, retro consoles and multiplayer stations, taking you on a journey through gaming history. Simply pay on entry and enjoy endless gaming fun. 

Take a trip back in time at the Mayflower Museum

Discover the history of the famous Mayflower ship at the Mayflower Museum on the Barbican. Take a journey through the years as you make your way across three floors experiencing history, encounters, exploration, impacts, plus commemoration and legacies of the ship and its sailors.

Watch a show at the Theatre Royal Plymouth

Take in a show at the largest and best attended regional producing theatre in the UK, Theatre Royal Plymouth this summer holidays. There's plenty of shows to look forward to throughout the holidays including Hamilton, a variety of summer holiday camps, and even theatre tours. 

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Catch the latest films at Cineworld Plymouth

Experience the latest family-friendly films at Cineworld Plymouth during the summer holidays. The state-of-the-art cinema is impossible to miss at Drake Circus, The Barcode and is home to 12 screens which include IMAX and 4DX technology. There's plenty of films on show every day, meaning it's a great family day out should you visit on a rainy day. 

Eating out 

Plymouth offers plenty of family-friendly dining options during the holidays. Seafood lovers can indulge in freshly-caught delights at The Boathouse, located near the Mayflower Steps on The Barbican. This restaurant is renowned for its vibrant flavors, celebrating the best local seafood catches from around the region. Elsewhere on The Barbican you'll find The Bottling Plant which specialises in sharer platters perfect for family dining or eating out with friends.

In Plymouth city centre Drake Circus The Barcode, offers plenty of dining venues including Nandos, Cosy Club and Las Iguanas. While if you're after a meal by the water head to the Royal William Yard where you can discover great food at Bistro Pierre, Wagamamas, Wildwood and plenty more venues. 

Discover the full range of family-friendly restaurants in Plymouth.

Admire animals 

Explore the National Marine Aquarium

Rain or shine there is plenty to explore and entertain at the National Marine Aquarium this summer. Home to over 4,000 underwater animals, the Aquarium will take you on a journey across the World's oceans, from Plymouth Sound all the way Down Under to the Great Barrier Reef. 

Visit Dartmoor Zoo

Treat the family to a trip to Dartmoor Zoo. The zoo boasts a wonderful 33 acres of woodland, celebrating a wide range of exotic and native animals. Among these include the biggest variety of big cats in the South West of England! Dartmoor Zoo is a charity dedicated to wildlife conservation, education and research. There are regular daily events such as public talks at feeding times, animal encounters and special activities for the family during the holidays.

Enjoy a family day out at Pennywell Farm 

Enjoy a fun-filled experience packed full of animals, hands-on activities, rides, play-time, shows and displays at Pennywell Farm near Plymouth. The cute farm hosts a wide variety of activities throughout the day and has something to delight everyone from super cute piglets to tractor racing! This summer, Pennywell Farm have a Bubble & Bop mini festival arena open. 

Discover more things to do this summer in Plymouth here. 

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