With everyone facing financial challenges, finding a fun-packed, homegrown destination without breaking the bank is a real bonus.

Step forward Plymouth, a city that delivers bags of activities, arts and culture without busting the vacation budget.

For a start, reaching Plymouth is unbelievably good value thanks to sustainable green coach travel firm FlixBus – starting from just £9.99 for a London to Plymouth ticket – and travellers can help the planet at the same time. FlixBus estimates travelling by coach, compared to car, cuts average CO2 emissions by 80% and customers have the option to make their journey carbon neutral by adding a contribution – usually between 1% and 3% of the ticket price - to NGO atmosfair, which has some of the highest sustainability standards in the world.

Once in Britain’s Ocean City, which has a proud maritime heritage of exploration and adventure and is bursting with culture, there is a range of free entertainment, scenic walks and affordable eating options.  And with what you save you can afford to splurge on the occasional paid-for activity.

Plymouth Sound is home to the UK’s first National Marine Park and top of the list of activities has to be the National Marine Park Experience Collection with its wide range of bookable activities. Highlights include: a bespoke guided drawing and painting experience around the magnificent Grade 1 listed buildings of Royal William yard; the National Marine Park Ranger Experience, spending a morning with a ranger that could include a beach clean; a guided e-bike tour of Plymouth’s waterfront seeing beautiful coastal landmarks.

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Free activities

Step back in time on the interactive Geo Trail and discover what Plymouth was like 380 million years ago. Learn about the city’s once tropical climate, see evidence of ancient weird and wonderful sea creatures and take a voyage of discovery into the Devonian era on the free walking route. The trail turns Royal William Yard into a living museum.

Check out The Box Plymouth where admission is free to the south-west’s major new museum, art gallery and archive. Experience the work of 37 artists in paint, photography, sculpture, installation and film in The British Art Show, (October 8, 2022 to January 8, 2023) the UK’s most exciting touring contemporary exhibition. The Box also features a fascinating range of exhibits and the impressive sight of a flotilla of 19^th century ships’ figureheads floating from the ceiling.

Explore the coastline along the South West Coast Path, a great way to see the countryside and seascapes on foot. Walkers can choose the length of route and its level of difficulty – easy, moderate or challenging – from a range of themed walks. They include family, heritage, culture, wildlife and dog friendly walks. If finances permit, for £6.60 you can buy a Coast Path Passport and log your journey along the way, stopping off to have it stamped at various stamping points along the 630-mile route.

Download the Plymouth Trails app and explore the city’s heritage on foot. Take a seaside walk on the Hoe Trail through Plymouth’s maritime history, from the ruins of medieval Plymouth Castle to the 1930s Art Deco Lido. Investigate Plymouth’s Powerful Women with a stroll past 13 sites connecting amazing women, including a scientist and suffragist. Or trace Plymouth’s connections with Indigenous North American peoples through Beyond the Spectacle: Indigenous Plymouth

Discover the Bridging the Tamar Visitor and Learning Centre and find out about the engineering legacy of the Tamar estuary’s historic bridges, including Brunel’s Royal Albert Bridge. Free guided talks are available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Reach the centre via the City Bus route 12/12A.

Dive into the sea and go Wild Swimming. Connect with a network of communities of wild swimmers across Devon and Cornwall. Informal groups with no charge or registration – just plenty of swimming. Two designated safe swimming areas are Tinside beach and firestone Bay at Devil’s Point.

Activities under £10 (prices for one adult ticket)

The centerpiece of Plymouth Hoe, Smeaton’s Tower stands 72ft hight and offers fantastic views of Plymouth Sound and the city from its lantern room. Tickets are £5.

Board the Cremyll Ferry to Mount Edgcumbe just £2 each way, Cawsand Ferry from Plymouth to Cornwall just £5 each way, or Barbican to Royal William Yard ferry £3.50 for a single fare.

Experience Devonport's Market Hall’s immersive shows. Explore new worlds in Plymouth’s 15m immersive dome. Prices vary around £3.50 to £5.50.

Explore the Mayflower Museum, set over three floors, this museum explores the story of the voyage of the Pilgrims and their journey aboard the Mayflower to the New World. £5 per ticket.

The Elizabethan House was built when Plymouth was a thriving port, the house has witnessed more than 400 years of history. Saved from demolition, it opened as a visitor attraction in 1930 and underwent major restoration as part of the Mayflower 400 commemorations. £5 per ticket.

And if all that whets the appetite, visit some of the city’s reasonably-priced eateries

Dine on sustainably-caught fish. Plymouth is the world’s first city to win the Fish2Fork Blue City award, in recognition of a core number of restaurants using seafood from sustainable sources, and Rockfish seafood restaurant on the edge of Sutton Harbour has the Sardine Bar offering award-winning haddock and chips for just £5 on Fish Fridays.

Cap’n Jaspers in the Barbican serves great value burgers and hotdogs

Mama Rita’s Kitchen offers Caribbean fare.

Lisbon Bakery and Restaurant serves Portuguese cuisine.

The Terrace dishes include woodfired pizza and an amazing view over Plymouth Sound.

There are endless options to suit every budget, if you just know where to look.

So set course for an affordable staycation in Plymouth and make the most of a break in this exciting coastal city.

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Plymouth is easily accessible by train with a wide range of services running from a variety of locations within England. Although some services may require a change or two.

Travelling from London takes around 3 hours with Great Western Railway, if you're coming from the north, the trip from Manchester can take 5 hours 15 minutes. 

Alternatively, the recently renovated Night Riviera Sleeper service runs Monday – Friday and Sunday evenings. Visit gwr.com/sleeper for more details on times and how to book.

We recommend using GWR.com to search for the fastest and best route for your journey, and book in advance for the best price.