Devil's Point

About us

Devil's Point Park offers spectacular views from the southern tip of the Stonehouse peninsula across the Hamoaze to Mount Edgcumbe in Cornwall and across Plymouth Sound to Drake's Island and beyond. The park is of great historical, ecological and geological interest.

Devils Point forms part of the South West Coast Path with the 'Stairway to Devon' opened in June 2013 which now enables walkers direct access between Devil's Point and the Royal William Yard, the stairway is dedicated to Eric Wallis MBE who worked tirelessly for 24 years as the secretary of the South West Coast Path Association. Walking west you can take the Cremyll Ferry from Admiral's Hard over to Mount Edgcumbe whilst to the east you pass Millbay towards the Hoe.

There is so much wildlife and nature to see in this area of the city.

Opening times

Open 24 hours a day and free to use

​Refreshments

A small café is located on the approach to the park as you first reach the waterfront, opposite the Artillery Tower.

Toilets

Toilets are located next to the café on the approach to the park.

Sport facilities

Fishing, the steps down to the westernmost point at the mouth of the Tamar is a favourite for fishermen.

Scuba-diving, Firestone Bay is a popular spot for scuba diving because of the biodiversity of the European Marine Site.

Outdoor kids pool and small pebble beach.

Access and seating

Paths have a good surface allowing pram and wheelchair users to access most areas, the exception to this is the set of steps at the western end of the park. There is seatinbg located throughout the park. 

Travel and directions

One mile from the city centre.

Accessible using public transport with bus stops along Durnford Street and Cremyll Street.

Devil's Point car park - Free 3 hour car park

History of Devil's Point

Devil's Point, also known as Western Kings, is a great spot to relax and watch the activity on water. For centuries, families have said goodbye or welcomed home their loved ones on Royal Navy ships making their way to and from Devonport Dockyard. The site has played an important military role with the former reservoir supplying the iconic Royal William Yard next door and Second Word War defences still visible.

It's a great point to relax and watch boats go by, imagine seeing Darwin's ship, The Beagle at Anchor at Barn Pool in 1837 just before setting off on his famous voyage around the world or straining to see Napoleon pacing the decks of HMS Bellerophon anchored in the Sound in July 1815 before he was exiled to St Helena.

Nature and wildlife

Bordered by the waters of Plymouth Sound and the River Tamar which form a European Marine Site, consisting of a Special Area of Conservation and Special Protection Area. With important habitats include sandbanks, reefs, estuaries and salt meadows that support important wintering bird populations including the avocet. Pink sea fan, one of the UK's most endangered soft corals, can be found in amongst rocky reefs, the Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum (TECF) promotes the delivery of integrated management to ensure long term sustainability.

In the approaches to the Sound, bottle-nosed dolphins and basking sharks are occasionally spotted whilst beneath the waves, the Sound is home to both the spiny seahorse and the short-snouted seahorse which reside amongst eelgrass beds. Part of the park is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the presence of grey and pink Devonian limestones. Field Eryngo is present, a rare plant species listed on Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, this species is more common in Southern Europe. Devils Point was designated as a County wildlife site because of the presence of 11 notable species of plants including Southern polypody, wild clary and knotted hedge parsley.