'Plymouth: Harbour to Hoe' Guided Walking Tour

We launched in 2023 offering welcoming, engaging and entertaining tours around Plymouth. This 'Plymouth: Harbour to Hoe' walking tour takes you around the most popular and historic areas of the city, so you don't miss a thing. We want to give you a feel for the city, and don't expect you to have a prior knowledge of history, or the area. We are passionate about making our tours as accessible as possible. We have planned step-free routes for people with wheelchairs or limited mobility, and have audio description training, to welcome guests with visual impairment. The team is fully insured and we are dedicated to only share researched and authentic stories about Plymouth from the past, present and future. It was set up by Hannah, a proud Plymothian. She used her experience in visitor engagement, heritage interpretation and digital walking trails to set up this new walking tour offer with visitor engagement at its heart.

1. 1

   Mayflower Steps

   5 min

   Learn about the Mayflower voyage, the location of the real steps and other voyages that departed from Plymouth.

2. 2

   Elizabethan House

   5 min

   Discover New Street and how the Elizabethan House tells the story of how the Barbican has changed over 400 years. The tour does not enter the house.

3. 3

   Barbican Waterfront

   30 min

   Explore the history and culture of Plymouth's Barbican, spanning over 500 years. Hear all about historical people including Sir Francis Drake, William Cookworthy and Lady Nancy Astor. Discover the inspiration for artists such as Lenkiewicz and Cook. See beautiful buildings including old custom's houses, historic pubs and Elizabethan homes, plus the impact that the Blitz had on Plymouth. Get local advice on restaurants, cafes and bakeries.

4. 4

   Stop 4

   5 min

   Explore back streets, with hidden gems, including the Merchant's House (currently closed).

5. 5

   Prysten House

   5 min

   Visit the oldest merchant's house in central Plymouth, and other prominent buildings in the area, such as St Andrew's Church, Plymouth Synagogue and Plymouth Guildhall. Please note, the extent of this part of the tour depends on speed of walking and group size, so is flexible.

6. 6

   Stop 6

   5 min

   Discuss Plymouth's iconic post-war architecture and previous damage during the Blitz in WWII. You will find out why Plymouth city centre looks the way it does, and the city's plans for it moving into the future. The tour does not head right into the city centre, but skirts the edge of it.

7. 7

   Hoe Park

   20 min

   Take in the breath-taking views over Plymouth Sound, from the Hoe. Find out where the name comes from, and explore lots of the memorials and features, including Smeaton's Tower, the Naval War Memorial and Tinside Pool.

8. 8

   Smeaton's Tower

   5 min

   Find out why Smeaton's Tower is so iconic, and where it sat out on Eddystone Reef. If it's a clear day, you can use binoculars to locate today's lighthouse on the horizon.

9. 9

   Royal Citadel

   5 min

   Walk around the outside of the impressive fort, dating from 1666, and look out to other fortifications around the coast. Discover the importance of Plymouth as a naval port.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.