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Plymouth

This article is about the city in England. For the town in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, see Plymouth, Massachusetts. For other uses, see Plymouth (disambiguation).

City and unitary authority in England

Plymouth

[[File:Plymouth skyline - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Plymouth skyline]] [[File:Barbican, Plymouth - panoramio (1).jpg|thumb|Barbican]] [[File:Royal Albert Bridge, Plymouth.jpg|thumb|Royal Albert Bridge]] [[File:Guildhall & Minster, Plymouth.jpg|thumb|The Guildhall and The Minster Church]] [[File:Royal William Yard, Plymouth.jpg|thumb|Royal William Yard]] [[File:National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth.jpg|thumb|National Marine Aquarium]] [[File:Smeaton's Tower, Plymouth.jpg|thumb|Smeaton's Tower]]

[[File:Flag of Plymouth.svg|thumb|Flag]]

  • Nickname: Britain's Ocean City
  • Motto: Turris fortissima est nomen Jehova "The name of Jehovah is the strongest tower" [1]

[[File:Plymouth Unitary Authority.png|thumb|Shown within Devon]]

[[File:Plymouth location in England.png|thumb|Plymouth Location within England Show map of England •]] [[File:Plymouth location in UK.png|thumb|Plymouth Location within the United Kingdom Show map of the United Kingdom •]] [[File:Plymouth location in Europe.png|thumb|Plymouth Location in Europe Show map of Europe]]

Coordinates: 50°22′17″N 4°08′32″W / 50.37139°N 4.14222°W / 50.37139; -4.14222

Areas of the city

List

Government

Area

[2]

  • Total 31 sq mi (80 km2)
  • Rank 215th (of 296)
  • Highest elevation 509 ft (155 m)
  • Lowest elevation 0 ft (0 m)

Population

(2021 Census)

  • Total 277,695 (city / unitary authority) 300,983 (urban)
  • Rank 68th (of 296)
  • Density 9,000/sq mi (3,500/km2)
  • Demonyms Plymothian (formal) Janner (informal)

Ethnicity (2021)

List

Religion (2021)

[3]

List

Plymouth (/ˈplɪ.məθ/ ⓘ PLIM-əth) is a port city and unitary authority nestled in Devon, within the rather predictably named South West England. It occupies a strategic, if somewhat damp, position on Devon's southern coast, neatly situated between the aqueous embrace of the River Plym and the River Tamar. One might consider it approximately 36 miles (58 km) southwest of Exeter and a rather impressive 193 miles (311 km) southwest of London – a distance that perhaps explains its unique character. It holds the distinction of being the most populous city in Devon, a fact that surely keeps its administrators busy.

The narrative of Plymouth stretches back, rather inconveniently, to the Bronze Age. It began its humble existence as a trading post at Mount Batten, a testament to humanity's enduring need to exchange goods, before gradually evolving into the more substantial market town of Sutton. This settlement, in an act of administrative rebranding, was formally given the name Plymouth in 1439, simultaneously being elevated to the status of a borough. Throughout English history, Plymouth has played roles of varying significance. In 1588, it served as the base for an English fleet that rather decisively defeated the Spanish Armada – a historical highlight often recounted with a certain self-satisfaction. Later, in 1620, it gained enduring fame as the departure point for the Pilgrim Fathers on their rather ambitious journey to the New World. During the tumultuous period of the English Civil War, the town found itself on the side of the Parliamentarians, enduring a protracted siege between 1642 and 1646 – a reminder that even port towns have their political convictions. The year 1690 marked the establishment of a dockyard on the River Tamar for the Royal Navy, a development that would cement Plymouth's maritime identity and fuel its growth as a commercial shipping port throughout the Industrial Revolution.

Following a period of absorbing its smaller, less ambitious neighbours in 1914, the borough was finally granted the coveted status of a city in 1928. Its modern appearance, rather starkly, owes much to the extensive damage it sustained during World War II in what became known as the Plymouth Blitz. This unfortunate event necessitated a comprehensive post-war rebuilding effort, leaving an indelible mark on its urban fabric. A further expansion of its municipal boundaries in 1967 solidified its current standing as the 30th-most populous built-up area in the UK, making it the second-largest city in the South West region, trailing only Bristol. Its population in 2024 stands at a respectable 272,067, a number that will, no doubt, continue its slow, inexorable march.

Plymouth's economy, historically and rather predictably, has been deeply intertwined with shipbuilding and seafaring. However, like many industrial centres, it has undergone a somewhat inevitable transition towards a service-based economy since the 1990s. Despite this shift, its maritime connections remain remarkably strong. It notably hosts HMNB Devonport, which proudly claims the title of the largest operational naval base in Western Europe – a testament to its continued strategic importance. Additionally, it offers convenient ferry links to Brittany and Spain, facilitating the movement of people and goods across the Channel. The city also serves as home to the University of Plymouth, underscoring its role in education and cultural development. Currently, the city's affairs are managed by the Plymouth City Council, and it is represented at a national level by three [4] Members of Parliament. A bureaucratic ballet, if you will.

History

Early history

One discovers Upper Palaeolithic deposits, including the rather intimate remains of Homo sapiens, within local caves [5]. It seems even in those distant times, people found their way here. Artefacts spanning the Bronze Age to the Middle Iron Age have been unearthed at Mount Batten [6], suggesting it was one of the few truly principal trading ports of pre-Roman Britannia, effectively dominating continental trade with Armorica [7]. Ptolemy's Geographia, in its infinite wisdom, lists an unidentified settlement named TAMARI OSTIA (meaning 'mouth/estuaries of the Tamar'), which is generally presumed to have been located somewhere in the vicinity of the modern city [8]. Further back, an ancient promontory fort graced Rame Head at the entrance to Plymouth Sound [citation needed], complemented by additional ancient hillforts at Lyneham Warren to the east, Boringdon Camp [citation needed], and Maristow Camp to the north [9]. Clearly, ancient inhabitants had a keen eye for defensible positions.

The settlement of Plympton, situated further upstream on the River Plym than the current city of Plymouth, also functioned as an early trading port. (For those curious about such etymological minutiae, the derivation of the name Plym can be found under Plympton.) However, as the river began to silt up in the early 11th century – a rather inconvenient natural process – mariners and merchants found themselves compelled to relocate downriver, establishing themselves at what is now known as the Barbican, closer to the river mouth [10]. This nascent village was, at the time, prosaically named Sutton, an Old English term meaning "south town" [10]. The more descriptive name, "Plym Mouth," signifying "mouth of the River Plym," made its first recorded appearance in a Pipe Roll dating back to 1211 [11]. Plympton Priory, holding land in Sutton, astutely secured a charter from Henry III of England in 1254. This charter bestowed upon the priory the right to host a weekly market and an annual fair in Sutton [12], thus formally elevating it to the status of a market town. Progress, one might say, was incremental.

Early defence and Renaissance

Prysten House (1498) on Finewell Street stands as a silent witness, the oldest surviving house in Plymouth. Its sturdy construction from local Plymouth limestone and Dartmoor granite speaks to a certain durability, a quality often lacking in subsequent human endeavours.

During the protracted unpleasantness known as the Hundred Years' War, a French attack in 1340 managed to burn a manor house and capture a few unfortunate souls, but, crucially, failed to breach the town itself [13]. Not quite a resounding victory for either side, then. However, in 1403, the town suffered a more significant setback, being burned by Breton raiders [14]. On 12 November 1439, the market town of Sutton was officially incorporated as a borough and, with a flourish of bureaucratic penmanship, formally renamed Plymouth. A subsequent charter the following year meticulously formalized its boundaries. This event was historically notable, as it marked the first instance of a borough charter being issued directly by parliament rather than through the monarch's more traditional, direct decree [15][16]. A minor shift in power dynamics, perhaps, but significant for those involved.

[[File:Sutton harbour Plymouth 1540.jpg|thumb|Charter map of Sutton harbour and Plymouth in 1540]]

In the waning years of the fifteenth century, Plymouth Castle, described rather geometrically as a "castle quadrate," was constructed in the vicinity of what is now known as The Barbican. Its design, featuring four round towers, one at each corner, is proudly emblazoned on the city's coat of arms [17].

The castle's primary function was to safeguard Sutton Pool, which, before the grand establishment of Plymouth Dockyard, served as the primary base for Plymouth's fleet. By 1512, an Act of Parliament was passed, decreeing further fortification for Plymouth. This work included the construction of defensive walls at the entrance to Sutton Pool, across which a chain could be extended in times of impending danger [18]. Defences on St Nicholas Island also date from this period, alongside a series of six artillery blockhouses, one of which was strategically placed on Fishers Nose, at the south-eastern corner of the Hoe [19]. This particular location was subsequently reinforced with the construction of a fort (later known simply as Drake's Fort) in 1596, a site that would eventually become home to the imposing Citadel in the 1660s (a development we will, regrettably, encounter later) [20].

[[File:Siege of Plymouth by C. R. B. Barrett.jpg|thumb|Siege of Plymouth, 1643]]

During the 16th century, the major export commodity, rather predictably for the time, was locally produced wool [21]. Plymouth became the bustling home port for a number of successful maritime traders. Among them was Sir John Hawkins, who, with characteristic human ambition, spearheaded England's initial foray into the rather morally dubious Atlantic slave trade [22]. Then there was Sir Francis Drake, who even served as Mayor of Plymouth in 1581–2, presumably when not circumnavigating the globe or otherwise causing trouble. Crews for the first, ultimately failed, English settlement attempt at Roanoke Colony in North America departed in 1587 under the joint leadership of Sir Walter Raleigh and Drake. They returned, notably, bearing maize, tobacco, and potatoes – a rather more positive outcome than the settlers themselves. In 1588, legend, ever so keen on a good story, tells us that Drake insisted on finishing his game of bowls on the Hoe before reluctantly engaging the supposedly "invincible" Spanish Armada [23]. In 1620, the Pilgrims embarked on their momentous voyage to the New World from Plymouth, where they subsequently established Plymouth Colony – the second English colony in what would become the United States [24]. A testament to their ambition, if not their navigational precision. In 1625, the Mayor, in a rather stark and horrifying report, estimated that African slavers captured about 1,000 villagers from the town's immediate area that summer, destined for sale in Africa [25].

[[File:The Invincible Armada (1588).jpg|thumb|The 'invincible' Spanish Armada, 1588]]

During the grim spectacle of the English Civil War, Plymouth, in a display of local defiance, aligned itself with the Parliamentarians and consequently endured a siege lasting almost four years at the hands of the Royalists [26]. The final significant assault by the Royalists, led by Sir Richard Grenville and his thousands of soldiers, was ultimately repelled by the resilient Plymothians at Freedom Fields Park [26][27]. The civil war concluded with a Parliamentary victory, but the monarchy, ever a persistent entity, was restored with King Charles II in 1660. His first act of gratitude, it seems, was to imprison many of the Parliamentary heroes on Drake's Island [26]. Construction of the formidable Royal Citadel commenced in 1665, in the wake of the Restoration. It was strategically armed with cannons facing both out to sea and, rather pointedly, into the town itself – a subtle, or perhaps not so subtle, rumour suggests this was a perpetual reminder to the local populace not to challenge the Crown [28]. Mount Batten tower, another defensive structure, also dates from roughly this period [29].

Plymouth Dock, naval power and Foulston

[[File:John Foulston Town Hall Column and Library Devonport.jpg|thumb|John Foulston's Town Hall, Column and Library in Devonport]] [[File:Black-eyed Sue and Sweet Poll of Plymouth (Isaac Cruikshank) 1792.jpg|thumb|Black-eyed Sue and Sweet Poll of Plymouth mourning their lovers, who are soon to be transported to Botany Bay, 1792]] [[File:Unloading mail by hand from the Sir Francis Drake at Millbay Docks, March 1926.jpg|thumb|Unloading mail by hand from the Sir Francis Drake at Millbay Docks, March 1926]]

Throughout the 17th century, Plymouth experienced a gradual, yet undeniable, decline in its standing as a pre-eminent trading port. By the mid-17th century, the economics of transport had become rather inconvenient: commodities manufactured elsewhere in England simply cost too much to haul to Plymouth. Furthermore, the city lacked the necessary infrastructure to process major colonial imports like sugar or tobacco [21]. This era also saw local sailors, perhaps driven by economic necessity or sheer opportunism, turning to piracy. Figures like Henry Every achieved a certain notoriety, even being celebrated in the London play The Successful Pyrate. Plymouth also played a minor, though still regrettable, role in the Atlantic slave trade during the early 18th century [21].

In the adjacent parish of Stoke Damerel, a pivotal development occurred: the first dockyard, HMNB Devonport, was established in 1690 on the eastern bank of the River Tamar. This initial success spurred further construction, with additional docks added in 1727, 1762, and 1793 [1]. The burgeoning settlement that grew around these naval facilities was initially known simply as "Dock" or "Plymouth Dock" [30], developing into a new town distinct from Plymouth itself. By 1712, 318 men were employed, and by 1733, the population had swelled to 3,000 people [10] – a testament to the magnetic pull of naval employment.

Before the latter half of the 18th century, Plymouth's primary imports consisted of grain, timber, and subsequently, coal [31]. During this period, the true engine of wealth was not Plymouth itself, but its neighbouring town of Plymouth Dock (which, in a moment of civic pride, was renamed Devonport in 1824). The dockyard here was the undisputed major employer for the entire region [10]. The Three Towns conurbation, comprising Plymouth, Stonehouse, and Devonport, experienced a period of relative prosperity during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This affluence was visually manifest in a series of elegant neo-classical urban developments, largely conceived by the London architect John Foulston [32]. Foulston's influence was significant for both Devonport and Plymouth, as he was responsible for designing several grand public buildings, many of which, sadly, have since been destroyed [33]. These included the Athenaeum, the Theatre Royal and Royal Hotel, and a substantial portion of Union Street [32].

Local chemist William Cookworthy embarked on his short-lived Plymouth Porcelain venture in 1768, seeking to capitalize on the deposits of china clay he had fortuitously discovered in Cornwall. He was, by all accounts, acquainted with the esteemed engineer John Smeaton, the very individual responsible for constructing the third Eddystone Lighthouse [34].

[[File:Plymouth the Hoe (postcard c. 1920) by A.R. Quinton.jpg|thumb|Plymouth the Hoe (postcard c. 1920) by A.R. Quinton]] [[File:Plymouth the Promenade Pier (postcard c. 1925) by A. R. Quinton.jpg|thumb|Plymouth the Promenade Pier (postcard c. 1925) by A. R. Quinton]]

The formidable 1-mile-long (2 km) Breakwater in Plymouth Sound was conceived by John Rennie with the explicit purpose of shielding the fleet as it navigated in and out of Devonport. Construction commenced in 1812, a project fraught with numerous technical challenges and repeated damage from relentless storms, ultimately delaying its completion until 1841, a full two decades after Rennie's death [35]. In the 1860s, a defensive ring of Palmerston forts was strategically erected around the periphery of Devonport, designed to protect the vital dockyard from potential attack from any conceivable direction [36]. A rather comprehensive, if slightly paranoid, approach to defence.

[[File:Plymouth (1860s-1880s) by Francis Frith (650536).jpg|thumb|Plymouth (1860s–1880s) by Francis Frith]]

During the latter half of the 19th century, some of the most significant imports flowing into Plymouth from the Americas and Europe included maize, wheat, barley, sugar cane, guano, sodium nitrate, and phosphate [37]. Beyond the behemoth of the dockyard in Devonport, other industries began to sprout within Plymouth itself during the 19th century and continued into the 20th. These included gasworks, the burgeoning railway and tramway systems, and a smattering of smaller chemical works [38]. A diversified, if somewhat grimy, economic landscape.

[[File:Abercrombie Plan for Plymouth, 1943.jpg|thumb|Plan for Plymouth 1943]]

During the harrowing period of the First World War, Plymouth served as a crucial port of entry for countless troops arriving from across the vast Empire. It was also developed into a significant facility for the manufacture of munitions [39]. While major units of the Royal Navy prudently relocated to the relative safety of Scapa Flow, Devonport retained its importance as a key base for escort vessels and vital repair work. Overhead, flying boats operated from Mount Batten, silently contributing to the war effort [39].

[[File:Royal William Victualling Yard, Stonehouse by Sir John Rennie, 1825–1833.jpg|thumb|Royal William Victualling Yard, Stonehouse by Sir John Rennie, 1825–1833]] [[File:Plymouth Drake's Island (1860s-1880s) by Francis Frith (650453).jpg|thumb|Plymouth Drake's Island (1860s–1880s) by Francis Frith]]

The Second World War brought even greater devastation. Devonport served as the headquarters of Western Approaches Command until 1941, and Sunderland flying boats, operated by the Royal Australian Air Force, patrolled the skies. It became an immensely important embarkation point for US troops preparing for D-Day [40]. The city itself, however, bore the brunt of intense aerial bombardment by the Luftwaffe, enduring a series of 59 raids collectively known as the Plymouth Blitz [38]. While the dockyards were the intended primary targets, much of the city centre and over 3,700 houses were utterly obliterated, and more than 1,000 civilians tragically lost their lives. This extensive destruction was a direct consequence of Plymouth's strategic status as a major port [41]. Charles Church, struck by incendiary bombs in 1941 during the Blitz, was partially destroyed but, rather remarkably, was never fully demolished. It now stands as an official, permanent monument, a stark reminder of the bombing of Plymouth during World War II [42].

The subsequent redevelopment of the city was meticulously planned by Sir Patrick Abercrombie in his ambitious 1943 Plan for Plymouth, a project he undertook concurrently with his work on the reconstruction plan for London [43]. This initial vision, perhaps overly ambitious, included proposals to expand the city into south east Cornwall, but these were, rather predictably, abandoned in the face of strong opposition from Cornwall County Council [44]. Between 1951 and 1957, an impressive average of over 1000 new homes were completed each year, largely utilizing innovative prefabricated systems of just three main types [45].

Abercrombie's Plan for Plymouth was, on one hand, a practical blueprint for the swift reconstruction of a devastated city centre. Yet, it also presented an opportunity to implement a grand vision, laying out a hierarchical structure of communities, neighbourhoods, and districts across the city. Central to this comprehensive scheme was a radical revision of the transport infrastructure. This plan deliberately prioritized the railway as the primary gateway to the city centre and, with an eye to the future, made long-term provisions for a dual carriageway road bypass – a project that, with typical bureaucratic pace, only finally materialized in the 1980s, a full four decades after its initial conception. The entire planning process, a fascinating glimpse into post-war reconstruction, was captured in Jill Craigie's documentary, The Way We Live (1946).

By 1964, over 20,000 new homes had been constructed, fundamentally transforming the once dense, overcrowded, and unsanitary slums of the pre-war city into a sprawling, low-density, dispersed suburbia [45][46]. Most of the city centre shops had been destroyed, and the few that remained were systematically cleared to facilitate a zoned reconstruction in accordance with Abercrombie's meticulous plan [45][46]. In 1962, the imposing modernist high-rise of the Civic Centre was completed, an architecturally significant example of a mid-twentieth-century civic slab-and-tower ensemble. Plymouth City Council rather negligently allowed this building to fall into disrepair, but it was subsequently Grade II listed in 2007 by English Heritage, a measure taken specifically to prevent its demolition [45][47]. A brief reprieve, perhaps, for concrete brutalism.

In the post-war era, Devonport Dockyard remained a hive of activity, constantly engaged in refitting aircraft carriers, such as the formidable Ark Royal, and later, the more technologically advanced nuclear submarines. New light industrial factories, strategically placed in the newly zoned industrial sectors, attracted a rapid influx of urban population. The army, however, had largely withdrawn from the city by 1971, with barracks being systematically dismantled throughout the 1960s [46]. Despite this, the city continues to host 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery [48] and also 42 Commando of the Royal Marines [46], ensuring a continued military presence.

Governance

As a unitary authority, Plymouth operates with only one tier of local government. The esteemed Plymouth City Council convenes its meetings at the Council House on Armada Way, right in the pulsating heart of the city centre. Notably, there are no civil parishes within the city, rendering it an unparished area [49]. For the rather ceremonial purposes of lieutenancy, the city forms part of the ceremonial county of Devon. However, it has maintained its administrative independence from Devon County Council since achieving unitary authority status in 1998 [50][51]. A complex web of administrative distinctions, for those who find such things fascinating.

Administrative history

The earliest documented existence of a settlement at Plymouth surfaces in the venerable Domesday Book of 1086, where it is identified as Sudtone (Sutton), a Saxon term meaning "south farm," located precisely where the Barbican now stands [1]. From Saxon times, it was situated within the hundred of Roborough [52]. Sutton, in a gradual ascension, transformed into a market town in 1254 and was subsequently granted borough status in 1439, at which point it was formally bestowed with the name Plymouth [1].

Plymouth underwent a significant administrative restructuring, becoming a municipal borough in 1836. It was governed by a corporate body officially known as the "mayor, aldermen and burgesses of the borough of Plymouth," though more commonly and less formally referred to as the corporation or town council [53]. When elected county councils were established in 1889, both Plymouth and the neighbouring Devonport were deemed sufficiently large to manage their own county-level services, and thus they were designated county boroughs, operating independently from Devon County Council [54]. In 1914, a rather logical amalgamation occurred: the county boroughs of Plymouth and Devonport, along with the adjacent urban district of East Stonehouse, merged to form a single, larger county borough of Plymouth [55][10]. Collectively, these distinct entities were, rather affectionately, referred to as "The Three Towns" [56].

Plymouth was officially granted city status on a memorable day, 18 October 1928 [57]. Between 1439 and 1935, the city was presided over by a mayor [58]. However, in 1935, the city was further honoured with the right to appoint a Lord Mayor, a rather more grand title. The city's boundaries underwent another expansion in 1967, incorporating the town of Plympton and the parish of Plymstock [10], extending its influence further east.

The 1971 Local Government White Paper rather audaciously proposed the abolition of county boroughs, a move that would have left Plymouth, a city of 250,000 inhabitants, under the administration of a council based in the considerably smaller Exeter, located on the opposite side of the county. This proposal, as one might expect, sparked a vigorous campaign from Plymouth, which lobbied for the creation of a new "Tamarside county," encompassing Plymouth, Torpoint, Saltash, and its rural hinterland [59]. The campaign, alas, was ultimately unsuccessful. Consequently, Plymouth ceased to be a county borough on 1 April 1974, with responsibilities for education, social services, highways, and libraries being transferred to Devon County Council. However, all these powers were eventually returned when the city regained its status as a unitary authority on 1 April 1998, following the recommendations put forth by the Banham Commission [60]. A bureaucratic saga, if ever there was one.

Constituencies

In the esteemed Parliament of the United Kingdom, Plymouth finds its voice through representation by three distinct constituencies: Plymouth Moor View, Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, and South West Devon. Prior to the rather dramatic departure known as Brexit in 2020, Plymouth was also represented within the European Parliament as part of the South West England constituency [61].

In 1919, a truly remarkable event unfolded: Nancy Astor was elected as the first-ever female member of parliament to actually take office in the British Houses of Parliament, representing the constituency of Plymouth Sutton. She stepped into the seat vacated by her husband, Waldorf Astor, upon his elevation to the peerage. Lady Astor, it must be noted, was a vibrantly active campaigner for her constituents, a refreshing change from some who merely occupy the space.

Later, in 1945, Plymouth-born Michael Foot was elected as the Labour MP for the constituency of Plymouth Devonport, a seat that had been heavily scarred by the devastation of the Plymouth Blitz. He served this seat until 1955. After a notable career, including serving as Secretary of State for Education and being instrumental in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, he ascended to the leadership of the Labour Party (1980–1983). A man who, it seems, understood the value of both education and safety, a rare combination.

City Council

[[File:Plymouth Civic Centre, 2008.jpg|thumb|alt=A tall, multi-story concrete building with many windows, typical of modernist architecture, with a lower section featuring a large glass entrance.|Civic Centre, completed 1962, symbolic of the post-war 'Heroic Modernism' of the welfare state; a listed building since 2007]]

The City of Plymouth is rather meticulously divided into 20 wards. Of these, 17 elect three councillors each, while the remaining three elect two councillors, resulting in a grand total council of 57 individuals [62]. Elections are held three years out of every four, with a third of the council being elected each time for a four-year term [62]. One can only imagine the constant cycle of campaigning. The total electorate for Plymouth's Parliamentary constituencies, as of April 2019, stood at 190,006 [63]. Since May 2023, Plymouth has been governed by a Labour majority Council [64]. Plymouth City Council, in a gesture of international camaraderie, is formally twinned with: Brest, France (1963), Gdynia, Poland (1976), Novorossiysk, Russia (1990, though this was rather abruptly Suspended in 2022 [65]), San Sebastián, Spain (1990), and Plymouth, United States (2001) [66]. A diverse collection of international partners, indeed.

Plymouth was bestowed with the dignity of Lord Mayor by King George V in 1935, a title that, while largely ceremonial, carries a certain gravitas. The position is filled annually through an election by a group of six councillors [67]. It is a rather quaint tradition that the role of Lord Mayor alternates between the Conservative Party and the Labour Party each year, and the incumbent Lord Mayor then has the privilege of selecting the Deputy Lord Mayor [67]. A predictable, almost cyclical, exercise in local politics.

[[File:Plymouth Guildhall.jpg|thumb|The Great Hall in the Guildhall]]

The official residence of the Lord Mayor is located at 3 Elliot Terrace, a rather distinguished address situated on the Hoe. Once the home of Waldorf and Nancy Astor, it was generously gifted by Lady Astor to the City of Plymouth, specifically to serve as an official residence for future Lord Mayors. Today, it also functions as a venue for civic hospitality, providing lodgings for visiting dignitaries and High Court judges, and, for those with the appropriate budget, it is even available for hire for private events [68]. The Civic Centre municipal office building on Armada Way, completed in 1962, became a listed building in June 2007, recognized for its architectural quality and period features. However, it subsequently became the unfortunate subject of controversy as the council, with a rather alarming lack of foresight, planned for its demolition, estimating a refurbishment cost of £40m, which would, of course, lead to potential job losses [69]. A testament to the enduring human capacity for short-sightedness.

Geography

[[File:Mount Edgcumbe Country Park - Northeastward view of Plymouth Sound.jpg|thumb|Northeastward view of Plymouth Sound from Mount Edgcumbe Country Park in Cornwall, with Drake's Island (centre) and, behind it from left to right, the Royal Citadel, the fuel tanks of Cattedown, and Mount Batten; in the background, the hills of Dartmoor.]]

Plymouth finds itself geographically defined by the River Plym to its east and the River Tamar to its west; both of these aquatic arteries flow, with a certain inevitability, into the natural harbour known as Plymouth Sound [70]. Since 1967, the unitary authority of Plymouth has rather pragmatically absorbed the once-independent towns of Plympton and Plymstock, which now lie along the eastern banks of the River Plym [10]. The River Tamar, in its natural course, delineates the county boundary between Devon and Cornwall, and its estuary forms the Hamoaze, a significant body of water upon which the colossal Devonport Dockyard is strategically situated [70].

The River Plym, originating from the ancient granite mass of Dartmoor to the north-east, forms a somewhat smaller estuary to the east of the city, quaintly named Cattewater. Plymouth Sound itself enjoys a degree of protection from the relentless forces of the open sea, courtesy of the Plymouth Breakwater, a monumental engineering feat that has been serving its purpose since 1814 [71]. Within the tranquil waters of the Sound lies Drake's Island, a distinctive landmark often viewed from Plymouth Hoe, a rather flat public expanse perched atop ancient limestone cliffs [72]. The total area encompassed by the Unitary Authority of Plymouth spans 80 square kilometres (31 sq mi) [2]. The topography of the city gracefully ascends from sea level, reaching a highest point, near Roborough, of approximately 509 feet (155 m) above Ordnance Datum (AOD) [73].

Geologically, Plymouth presents a rather interesting mélange of rock types, featuring limestone, Devonian slate, granite, and Middle Devonian limestone [74]. The area designated as Plymouth Sound, Shores and Cliffs holds the prestigious status of a Site of Special Scientific Interest, primarily due to its significant geological features [75]. The substantial majority of the city's foundations rest upon Upper Devonian slates and shales, while the prominent headlands guarding the entrance to Plymouth Sound are composed of more resilient Lower Devonian slates, which, conveniently, are capable of withstanding the formidable power of the sea [74].

A distinctive band of Middle Devonian limestone traverses the landscape from west to east, stretching from Cremyll to Plymstock, and notably includes the iconic Hoe [74]. This local limestone is visibly incorporated into countless buildings, walls, and pavements throughout Plymouth, a subtle reminder of its geological underpinnings [74]. To the north and northeast of the city looms the imposing granite mass of Dartmoor; this granite was historically quarried and exported via Plymouth, a testament to the region's natural resources. Rocks carried down the River Tamar from Dartmoor also contained valuable ores, including tin, copper, tungsten, lead, and other minerals [74]. Furthermore, evidence suggests that the middle Devonian limestone belt, found at the southern edge of Plymouth and in Plymstock, was extensively quarried at West Hoe, Cattedown, and Radford [76]. Humanity's relentless pursuit of resources, as ever.

Urban form

[[File:Armada Way, Plymouth.jpg|thumb|Armada Way looking north]]

On 27 April 1944, Sir Patrick Abercrombie's rather ambitious Plan for Plymouth was unveiled, a blueprint for rebuilding the city after the extensive bomb damage it had sustained. This plan, with a certain ruthless efficiency, called for the demolition of the few remaining pre-War structures in the city centre. Their replacements? Wide, parallel, decidedly modern boulevards running east–west, interconnected by a central north–south avenue named Armada Way. This grand avenue was designed to link the railway station directly with the impressive vista of Plymouth Hoe [43]. A classic case of urban renewal, imposing order on chaos.

A peripheral road system, linking the historic Barbican on the east to Union Street on the west, fundamentally dictates the principal form of the city centre. This structure persists even after the pedestrianization of the shopping centre in the late 1980s, and it continues to influence the contemporary 'Vision for Plymouth.' This vision, developed in 2003 by a team led by the Barcelona-based architect David MacKay and enthusiastically supported by both Plymouth City Council and the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce (PCC), advocates for a revitalization of the city centre through mixed-use developments and residential spaces [77]. The cycle of urban planning, ever evolving, rarely perfected.

In the suburban reaches, post-War prefabs began their rather expedient appearance as early as 1946. Subsequently, over 1,000 permanent council houses were constructed each year from 1951 to 1957. These developments adhered to the Modernist zoned low-density garden city model, as enthusiastically advocated by Abercrombie [46]. By 1964, a staggering total of over 20,000 new homes had been built, with more than 13,500 of them being permanent council homes and a further 853 constructed by the Admiralty [46]. A massive undertaking, driven by necessity.

Plymouth, for those who appreciate such things, is home to 28 parks, each with an average size of 45,638 square metres (491,240 sq ft) [78]. Its most expansive green lung is Central Park [79], complemented by other sizeable open spaces including Victoria Park, Freedom Fields Park, Alexandra Park, Devonport Park, and, of course, the iconic Hoe [78]. Central Park, in a rather practical arrangement, also hosts the Plymouth Argyle Football Club and a variety of other leisure facilities.

The Plymouth Plan 2019–2034, published in May 2019, rather definitively lays out the trajectory for future development, introducing a new spatial strategy [80]. This plan consciously strengthens connections with the broader region, encompassing west Devon and east Cornwall, through its Joint Local Plan. It identifies three primary development areas within the city itself: the City centre and waterfront; a "northern corridor" that includes Derriford and the rather conveniently vacant airfield site at Roborough; and an "eastern corridor" slated for major new settlements at Sherford and Langage [81]. Plymouth, for those who categorize such things, is classified as a Small-Port City within the Southampton System for port-city classification [82].

Climate

Plymouth endures, or rather enjoys, a moderated temperate oceanic climate (specifically, Köppen Cfb), which, in typical British fashion, means it's generally wetter and milder than much of the rest of England. This meteorological quirk allows for the cultivation of a surprisingly wide array of exotic plants, including palm trees and yuccas, a small defiance against the grey skies. The annual mean high temperature hovers around a rather comfortable 14 °C (57 °F). Due to the undeniable moderating effect of the sea and its south-westerly geographical location, the climate here is among the mildest of British cities, and indeed, one of the warmest UK cities during the winter months [83]. Even the coldest month, February, maintains a similarly moderate character, with mild mean minimum temperatures generally ranging between 3 and 4 °C (37 and 39 °F). Snowfall, when it deigns to visit, usually arrives in rather modest quantities. A notable exception, however, was the period of the European winter storms of 2009–10, which, in early January 2010, blanketed Plymouth in at least 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) of snow, with considerably more accumulating on higher ground. Another memorable event was the rather impressive 20 centimetres (8 inches) of snowfall between 17 and 19 December 2010 – though, in a typical display of British weather fickleness, only 5.1 centimetres (2 inches) would lie at any one time due to rapid melting. Over the period spanning 1961–1990, the annual snowfall accumulation averaged a rather paltry less than 7 cm (3 inches) per year [84]. So, no Arctic expeditions here.

South West England benefits from a rather favourable geographical position when the Azores High pressure area extends north-eastwards towards the UK, a phenomenon particularly welcome in summer. Coastal areas, as a result, typically bask in average annual sunshine totals exceeding 1,600 hours [85].

However, owing to its distinct geographic location, rainfall in Plymouth tends to be associated with Atlantic depressions or with convective activity, and is consequently both more frequent and heavier than in London and the drier southeast England. These Atlantic depressions, with their relentless efficiency, become particularly vigorous during autumn and winter, accounting for the majority of the rain that graces the south-west during those seasons. The average annual rainfall measures in at approximately 980 millimetres (39 inches) [85]. Mean wind speeds are highest from November to March, gradually tapering off to the lightest winds between June and August. The predominant wind direction, as one might infer from its coastal position, is consistently from the south-west [85].

Typically, the warmest day of the year (based on data from 1971–2000) will reach a temperature of 28.6 °C (83 °F) [86], although in the rather exceptional July 2022, the temperature soared to a blistering 33.9 °C (93.0 °F), setting a new site record [87]. On average, a mere 4.25 days [88] of the year will report a maximum temperature of 25.1 °C (77 °F) or above. During the colder half of the year, the coldest night will typically see temperatures dip to −4.1 °C (25 °F) [89], though in January 1979, a more severe −8.8 °C (16 °F) was recorded [90]. On average, air frost is registered on 18.6 nights [91] of the year, just enough to keep one on their toes.

{{Climate data |location = Plymouth (Mount Batten) [a] |WMO_ID = 03827 |coordinates = 50°21′18″N 4°07′16″W / 50.35489°N 4.12103°W / 50.35489; -4.12103 (Met Office Plymouth) |elevation = 50 m (164 ft) |unit system = metric |time period = 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1960–present |Jan record high C = 14.4 |Feb record high C = 16.3 |Mar record high C = 18.3 |Apr record high C = 27.6 |May record high C = 25.9 |Jun record high C = 31.6 |Jul record high C = 33.9 |Aug record high C = 32.9 |Sep record high C = 28.9 |Oct record high C = 23.0 |Nov record high C = 17.8 |Dec record high C = 16.1 |year record high C = 33.9 |Jan high C = 9.0 |Feb high C = 9.2 |Mar high C = 10.9 |Apr high C = 13.2 |May high C = 15.9 |Jun high C = 18.4 |Jul high C = 20.2 |Aug high C = 20.3 |Sep high C = 18.5 |Oct high C = 15.1 |Nov high C = 11.9 |Dec high C = 9.7 |year high C = 14.4 |Jan mean C = 6.6 |Feb mean C = 6.6 |Mar mean C = 7.9 |Apr mean C = 9.8 |May mean C = 12.4 |Jun mean C = 14.9 |Jul mean C = 16.8 |Aug mean C = 16.9 |Sep mean C = 15.1 |Oct mean C = 12.3 |Nov mean C = 9.3 |Dec mean C = 7.3 |year mean C = 11.3 |Jan low C = 4.2 |Feb low C = 3.9 |Mar low C = 4.9 |Apr low C = 6.3 |May low C = 8.8 |Jun low C = 11.4 |Jul low C = 13.2 |Aug low C = 13.4 |Sep low C = 11.7 |Oct low C = 9.5 |Nov low C = 6.7 |Dec low C = 4.8 |year low C = 8.2 |Jan record low C = -8.8 |Feb record low C = -7.0 |Mar record low C = -7.0 |Apr record low C = -2.4 |May record low C = -0.5 |Jun record low C = 2.9 |Jul record low C = 6.1 |Aug record low C = 5.9 |Sep record low C = 1.9 |Oct record low C = -1.0 |Nov record low C = -3.4 |Dec record low C = -5.7 |year record low C = -8.8 |Jan precipitation mm = 109.6 |Feb precipitation mm = 87.7 |Mar precipitation mm = 76.2 |Apr precipitation mm = 68.5 |May precipitation mm = 60.1 |Jun precipitation mm = 64.4 |Jul precipitation mm = 63.5 |Aug precipitation mm = 80.3 |Sep precipitation mm = 72.3 |Oct precipitation mm = 112.1 |Nov precipitation mm = 117.8 |Dec precipitation mm = 125.2 |year precipitation mm = 1037.7 |Jan rain days = 15.4 |Feb rain days = 12.7 |Mar rain days = 12.3 |Apr rain days = 11.0 |May rain days = 9.8 |Jun rain days = 9.7 |Jul rain days = 10.0 |Aug rain days = 11.3 |Sep rain days = 10.1 |Oct rain days = 14.8 |Nov rain days = 15.9 |Dec rain days = 15.7 |year rain days = 148.6 |Jan sun hours = 61.8 |Feb sun hours = 88.0 |Mar sun hours = 131.0 |Apr sun hours = 189.3 |May sun hours = 227.4 |Jun sun hours = 220.8 |Jul sun hours = 209.7 |Aug sun hours = 197.5 |Sep sun hours = 161.3 |Oct sun hours = 118.4 |Nov sun hours = 72.6 |Dec sun hours = 54.5 |year sun hours = 1732.3 |source 1 = Met Office [92] |source 2 = KNMI [93] }}

Education

[[File:Roland Levinsky Building.jpg|thumb|The Roland Levinsky Building – Faculty of Arts of the University of Plymouth]]

Plymouth, in its persistent pursuit of knowledge, hosts three universities: the rather self-explanatory University of Plymouth, the somewhat more niche Plymouth Marjon University, and the aesthetically inclined Arts University Plymouth.

The University of Plymouth reported a total enrolment of 23,155 students as of the 2018/2019 academic year, making it the 57th largest among 169 universities in the UK [94]. It also provides employment for 2,900 staff, managing an annual income of approximately £160 million [95]. The institution itself was founded in 1992, evolving from Polytechnic South West (formerly Plymouth Polytechnic) in the wake of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 [96]. Its course offerings are, as one might expect from a coastal city, quite diverse, including specialized programs in marine-focused business, marine engineering, marine biology, Earth, ocean, and environmental sciences, surf science (yes, that's a thing), and shipping and logistics [97]. In 2000, the university formed a joint venture with its fellow Devonian institution, the University of Exeter, leading to the establishment of the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry. This college, in a rather impressive display, was ranked 8th out of 30 UK universities for medicine in 2011 [98]. Its dental school, established in 2006, also, rather charitably, provides free dental care, attempting to address access issues in the South West.

The University of St Mark & St John, more commonly and mercifully known as "Marjon" or "Marjons," specializes in teacher training, extending its pedagogical reach across the country and even internationally [99].

Arts University Plymouth offers a curated selection of courses, including those in media, catering to the more creatively inclined. It traces its origins back to the Plymouth Drawing School, founded in 1856. In December 2008, it underwent a name change, becoming Plymouth College of Art and Design, then simply Plymouth College of Art. Finally, in May 2022, the College was granted University status, officially becoming Arts University Plymouth [100]. A rather circuitous route to academic recognition.

The city also hosts two rather substantial colleges. The City College Plymouth provides a comprehensive range of courses, from the most basic to Foundation degrees, serving approximately 26,000 students [101]. A true educational behemoth.

Plymouth, for those keeping count, also boasts 71 state primary phase schools, 13 state secondary schools, eight special schools, and three selective state grammar schools: Devonport High School for Girls, Devonport High School for Boys, and Plymouth High School for Girls [102]. Additionally, there is a private all-through school, Plymouth College, catering to those with more exclusive tastes.

The city was once home to the Royal Naval Engineering College, which opened its doors in 1880 in Keyham. It provided rigorous training for engineering students for five years before they completed the remaining two years of their course at Greenwich. The college closed in 1910, but in 1940, a new iteration opened at Manadon. This was subsequently renamed Dockyard Technical College in 1959 before its final closure in 1994, with training responsibilities then transferred to the University of Southampton [103]. The ebb and flow of naval education, a constant readjustment.

Plymouth is also the proud home of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom (MBA), an institution that has been diligently conducting research in all areas of the marine sciences since its founding in 1884. The Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), established in 1988, was partly formed from components of the MBA, demonstrating a certain scientific continuity. Together with the National Marine Aquarium, the Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Sciences, Plymouth University's Marine Institute, and the Diving Diseases Research Centre, these marine-related organizations collectively form the Plymouth Marine Sciences Partnership. The Plymouth Marine Laboratory, with its rather timely focus on global issues of climate change and sustainability, actively monitors the effects of ocean acidity on delicate corals and vulnerable shellfish, diligently reporting its findings to the UK government. It also, rather innovatively, cultivates algae that could potentially be utilized in the production of biofuels or in the treatment of wastewater, employing technologies such as photo-bioreactors. Furthermore, it collaborates with the Boots Group to investigate the potential use of algae in skincare products, taking advantage of the natural chemicals these organisms produce to protect themselves from the sun [104]. A pragmatic approach to scientific discovery, leveraging nature's own defenses.

A rather commendable scheme was in operation over the summer of 2018, designed to provide meals during the summer holidays for children whose parents, unfortunately, were on low incomes and struggled to provide their children with healthy meals [105]. A small but necessary intervention.

UPSU, more commonly known as the University of Plymouth Student Union, is rather unconventionally located underground near the library. Every student enrolled at the University of Plymouth is automatically a member of UPSU. The Union, in a rather efficient display of student employment, hires students across the University for various roles, from bar staff to events technicians. Annually, students at the University are afforded the opportunity to vote for the sabbatical officers who will represent them. In 2019, over 4000 students, in a commendable display of civic engagement, participated in the UPSU elections.

Demography

[[File:Plymouth Population Pyramid 2021.png|thumb|Population pyramid of Plymouth (unitary authority) in 2021]]

Based on the 2011 Census, the Office for National Statistics reported that Plymouth's unitary authority area had a population of 256,384 [106]. This represented an increase of 15,664 people compared to the last census in 2001, which had recorded Plymouth's population at 240,720 [107]. The broader Plymouth urban area, encompassing the urban sprawl that extends beyond the authority's administrative boundaries, had a population of 260,203 in 2011. The city's average household size was a rather precise 2.3 persons [108][109]. At the time of the 2021 UK census, the ethnic composition of Plymouth's population was predominantly White at 94.1% (of which 89.5% identified as White British). The largest minority ethnic group was Chinese, constituting a modest 0.5% [106]. Interestingly, the White Irish ethnic group experienced the most significant decline in its share of the population between the 2001 and 2011 Censuses, decreasing by 24%. Conversely, the 'Other Asian' and 'Black African' categories saw the most substantial increases, rising by 360% and 351% respectively [106][110]. This analysis, it should be noted, excludes the two new ethnic groups introduced in the 2011 census: Gypsy or Irish Traveller and Arab. The city's population experienced rapid growth during the latter half of the 19th century, but then, rather unexpectedly, declined by over 1.6% from 1931 to 1951. A brief reversal of fortune.

Plymouth's gross value added (GVA), a rather clinical measure of the size of its economy, stood at £5,169 million in 2013, contributing a significant 25% of Devon's total GVA [111]. Its GVA per person was £19,943 which, when compared to the national average of £23,755, was a rather noticeable £3,812 lower [111]. Plymouth's unemployment rate was 7.0% in 2014, a figure that was 2.0 percentage points higher than the South West average and 0.8 percentage points higher than the average for Great Britain (England, Wales, and Scotland) [112]. A stark reminder of economic realities.

A 2014 profile compiled by the National Health Service rather starkly highlighted Plymouth's higher-than-average levels of poverty and deprivation, with 26.2% of its population falling within the poorest 20.4% nationally [113]. Life expectancy in Plymouth is recorded as 78.8 years for men and 82.5 for women [114]. A relatively healthy span, despite the challenges.

|Ethnic Group |Year Total |243,373|100%|240,720|100%|256,384|100%|264,695|100%|

Economy

[[File:HMNB Devonport.jpg|thumb|HMNB Devonport – the largest operational naval base in Western Europe. [119]]]

Due to its rather unavoidable coastal location, the economy of Plymouth has been, almost by definition, traditionally maritime [120]. This is particularly evident in the defence sector, which still accounts for over 12,000 direct employees and approximately 7,500 personnel in the armed forces [121]. The Plymouth Gin Distillery, a venerable institution, has been producing its distinctive Plymouth Gin since 1793, a spirit that, rather predictably, found its way around the world courtesy of the Royal Navy [122]. During the 1930s, it held the impressive distinction of being the most widely distributed gin and even enjoyed a controlled term of origin [122] until 2015, when such niceties were, perhaps, deemed less important. Since the 1980s, employment in the defence sector has, somewhat inevitably, seen a substantial decrease. The public sector now plays a more prominent role, particularly in administration, health, education, medicine, and engineering [121]. A shift from cannons to cubicles, one might say.

Devonport Dockyard holds the rather unique distinction of being the UK's only naval base capable of refitting nuclear submarines, a highly specialized and sensitive operation. The Navy rather proudly estimates that the Dockyard alone generates approximately 10% of Plymouth's total income [119]. Plymouth also boasts the largest concentration of marine and maritime businesses in the entire south west, with an impressive 270 firms operating within this vital sector [123]. Other substantial employers include the university, with its almost 3,000 staff members [95], the national retail chain The Range at its Estover headquarters, and the Plymouth Science Park, which provides employment for 500 people across 50 companies [121]. A diverse, if somewhat predictable, economic landscape.

Plymouth features a post-war shopping area in its city centre, characterized by substantial pedestrianization [46], a nod to modern urban planning. At the western end of this retail zone, housed within a Grade II listed building, stands the Pannier Market, completed in 1959. The term "pannier," derived from French, simply means "basket," so it is, rather literally, a "basket market" [124]. In terms of retail floorspace, Plymouth ranks impressively within the top five in the South West [125], and holds the 29th position nationally [126]. Plymouth was also one of the inaugural ten British cities chosen to trial the new Business improvement district initiative [127]. The Tinside Pool, a rather striking example of Art Deco lido architecture, is situated at the foot of the Hoe. It achieved Grade II listed building status in 1998 before undergoing a meticulous £3.4 million restoration to recapture its original 1930s aesthetic [128].

Plymouth 2020

{{Update section|date=February 2017}} This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (February 2017)

Since 2003, Plymouth Council has been rather diligently pursuing a project of urban redevelopment known as the "Vision for Plymouth," initially launched by the architect David Mackay and enthusiastically supported by both Plymouth City Council and the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce (PCC) [77]. The overarching ambition is to swell the city's population to 300,000 by constructing a rather impressive 33,000 new dwellings. Its various projects encompass everything from new shopping centres and public spaces to a cruise terminal, a rebalancing of the underutilized city centre retail district, and the opening up of waterfront development, all cleverly linked by a new urban boulevard [77]. A grand vision, indeed.

[[File:Drake Circus Shopping Centre.jpg|thumb|Interior of the Drake Circus Shopping Centre in 2006]]

In 2004, the old Drake Circus shopping centre and the rather utilitarian Charles Cross car park were unceremoniously demolished, making way for the latest iteration of the Drake Circus Shopping Centre, which finally opened its doors in October 2006 [129]. It received, rather predictably, negative feedback even before its grand opening, with David Mackay himself rather bluntly stating it was already "ten years out of date" [129]. It was subsequently awarded the inaugural Carbuncle Cup in 2006, an honour bestowed upon Britain's ugliest new building [130]. In stark contrast, the Theatre Royal's production and education centre, known as TR2, built on what was once wasteland at Cattedown, was a runner-up for the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize for Architecture in 2003 [131]. A clear divergence in architectural opinion.

Proposals, once rather grand, included the demolition of the Plymouth Pavilions entertainment arena to create a picturesque canal "boulevard" linking Millbay to the city centre, a project envisioned for completion by 2020. Millbay itself is currently undergoing a regeneration, transforming into a mixed-use space featuring residential, retail, and office areas alongside the ferry port [132].

Plymouth's Civic Centre was eventually vacated by Plymouth City Council, with its operations rather efficiently dispersed across various locations in the city centre. The now vacant and somewhat dilapidated modernist building, initially proposed for demolition by the Council, was ultimately spared by a listing in 2007 [133], recognized for its national architectural merit. It was subsequently gifted to the developers Urban Splash, who, with a certain optimism, intend to refurbish the structure for a mixed-use regeneration, including variable-let accommodation [134]. The removal and relocation of Bretonside bus station – a site originally earmarked for the Council [135] – was ultimately released for a mixed-use commercial leisure redevelopment. This new complex, including a cinema and restaurants, is named 'Barcode' and is owned by British Land, which also, rather conveniently, owns the adjacent Drake's Circus [136].

Jacka Bakery in the historic Barbican district holds the rather impressive, though reputedly, title of the oldest bakery in the UK [137], having operated continuously since the 1600s. A testament to the enduring appeal of baked goods.

Transport

Railway

[[File:Plymouth railway station - Great Western Railway HST - 2017-08-16.jpg|thumb|Inter-city trains at Plymouth station, operated by Great Western Railway]]

Plymouth railway station is, rather efficiently, served by two distinct train operating companies [138]:

Smaller stations, scattered throughout the suburban area west of the city centre, are served by trains operating on the Tamar Valley Line to Gunnislake, as well as local services on the Cornish Main Line. This latter line makes its impressive crossing of the River Tamar via the Royal Albert Bridge, a magnificent engineering feat designed by Brunel and opened in 1859. The parallel road bridge, a more recent addition, was completed in 1961.

History

The current Plymouth railway station opened on its present site in 1877. It was originally known as Plymouth North Road, a name that distinguished it from other main line stations that once existed within the city, specifically at Millbay and Friary. These two, alas, have since ceased operations, leaving North Road as the sole survivor.

Future

There have been persistent proposals to reopen the Exeter to Plymouth railway of the LSWR. This ambitious project aims to reconnect Cornwall and Plymouth to Exeter using the former Southern Railway main line, which ran from Plymouth to Exeter via Okehampton. The impetus for this, rather pragmatically, stems from the main line through South Devon being notoriously vulnerable to damage from rough seas at Dawlish, where some of the coastal cliffs are also, rather precariously, fragile. Related proposals also suggest reopening a section of the old main line from Bere Alston, on the Plymouth-Gunnislake line, as far as Tavistock, primarily to serve a new housing development. However, despite discussions commencing as early as 2008, progress on this front has been, with typical bureaucratic efficiency, rather slow.

Roads

The A38 dual-carriageway cuts a path from east to west across the northern reaches of the city. Within Plymouth's boundaries, it is rather grandly known as 'The Parkway' and serves as a somewhat arbitrary demarcation between the older, more established parts of the city and its more recently developed suburban areas. Heading east, this arterial road efficiently connects Plymouth to the M5 motorway, a journey of approximately 40 miles (65 km) that culminates near Exeter. Conversely, heading west, it provides a vital link between Devon and Cornwall, traversing the impressive Tamar Bridge.

Buses

Bus services, the lifeblood of urban transit, are predominantly provided by Plymouth Citybus and Stagecoach South West. However, a few routes are, rather quaintly, served by smaller local operators. Long-distance inter-city bus services, in their relentless pursuit of urban connectivity, terminate at Plymouth coach station [141].

Plymouth offers three convenient Park and Ride services, strategically located at Milehouse, Coypool (Plympton), and George Junction (near the defunct Plymouth City Airport). These services are operated by Stagecoach South West, with the exception of the Milehouse park and ride, which falls under the purview of Plymouth Citybus [142].

Ferries

[[File:MV Pont-Aven in Millbay Docks - Plymouth - Devon - England.jpg|thumb|MV Pont-Aven : Brittany Ferries service to Roscoff, France and Santander, Spain in Millbay Docks]]

A regular international ferry service, rather conveniently provided by Brittany Ferries, operates from Millbay, transporting both cars and foot passengers directly to France (Roscoff) and Spain (Santander,_Cantabria). This vital link is primarily maintained by two vessels, the MV Armorique and the MV Pont-Aven [143]. The Cremyll Ferry, a more local affair, serves as a passenger ferry connecting Stonehouse with the charming Cornish hamlet of Cremyll. This particular ferry service is believed to have operated continuously since 1204, a testament to its enduring utility [144]. Additionally, a pedestrian ferry departs from the historic Mayflower Steps, offering passage to Mount Batten [145]. For those seeking an alternative to the Tamar Bridge, the Torpoint Ferry provides a service for both vehicles and pedestrians across the imposing River Tamar [146].

Air

The city's rather optimistically named airport was Plymouth City Airport, situated approximately 4 miles (6 km) north of the city centre [147]. The airport was, for a time, home to the local airline Air Southwest [148], which operated flights across the United Kingdom and Ireland [149]. In June 2003, a report commissioned by the South West RDA was published, rather ominously, exploring the future of aviation in the south-west and the potential closure of various airports [150]. It concluded that the optimal strategy for the wider south-west region was to close Plymouth City Airport and instead expand Exeter International Airport and Newquay Cornwall Airport. This conclusion was reached despite the report's own acknowledgment that this was not the best option for Plymouth itself [151]. In April 2011, the inevitable announcement came: the airport would close [152], which it duly did on 23 December of that year. A local company, FlyPlymouth, optimistically put forward plans in 2015 to reopen the airport by 2018, proposing daily services to various destinations, including London. However, as of now, these projects have, predictably, stalled [153].

Cycle routes

Plymouth marks the southern terminus of the rather impressive 99-mile (159 km) long Devon Coast to Coast Cycle Route, officially designated as National Cycle Route 27. The majority of this route offers a refreshingly traffic-free experience, utilizing off-road sections between Ilfracombe and Plymouth. While much of the route follows former railway lines, there are, inevitably, some stretches that necessitate venturing onto public roads [154].

Religion

[[File:Plymouth Cathedral.jpg|thumb|The Roman Catholic Cathedral Church of Saint Mary and Saint Boniface (Stonehouse, Plymouth)]]

Plymouth, in its diverse spiritual landscape, boasts approximately 150 churches city-wide. The Plymouth Cathedral, a Roman Catholic edifice, is rather appropriately located in Stonehouse. It opened its doors in 1858 and was officially consecrated in 1880 [155][156]. The city's oldest extant church is Plymouth Minster, also known more prosaically as St Andrew's Church, an Anglican establishment situated at the top of Royal Parade. It holds the distinction of being the largest parish church in Devon and has served as a site of communal gathering since a rather impressive AD 800 [155]. The city's religious tapestry further includes five Baptist churches, over twenty Methodist chapels, and thirteen Roman Catholic churches [157]. In 1831, the first Brethren assembly in England was established in the city. This movement of conservative non-denominational Evangelical Christians is often, rather confusingly, referred to as Plymouth Brethren, despite the movement not having originated locally [158].

Plymouth holds the distinction of having the earliest known reference to Jews in the South West, dating back to Sir Francis Drake's voyages between 1577 and 1580, where his log rather casually mentioned "Moses the Jew" – a man, presumably, from Plymouth [155]. The Plymouth Synagogue is a Listed Grade II* building, constructed in 1762, and is remarkably the oldest Ashkenazi Synagogue in the English speaking world [159]. Beyond these, the city also accommodates places of worship for adherents of Islam, Baháʼí, Buddhism, Unitarianism, various Chinese beliefs, and even Humanism [160]. A truly ecumenical landscape.

According to the 2011 census returns, 58.1% of the population identified themselves as at least nominally Christian, while 0.8% identified as Muslim, with all other religions represented by less than 0.5% each. The portion of people reporting no religion stood at a significant 32.9%, notably above the national average of 24.7%. A further 7.1% chose not to state their religious belief [161]. Since the 2001 Census, the number of Christians and Jews has, perhaps inevitably, decreased (by 16% and 7% respectively), while all other religious groups have seen an increase, and the number of non-religious individuals has almost doubled [162]. A secular shift, perhaps.

Culture

[[File:New Palace Theatre, Plymouth.jpg|thumb|The New Palace Theatre in 2008]]

Constructed in 1815, Union Street once pulsated as the very heart of Plymouth's historical culture [163]. It earned a rather colourful reputation as the "servicemen's playground," a place where sailors from the Royal Navy would, rather predictably, seek entertainment of all conceivable kinds [163]. During the 1930s, it boasted an impressive thirty pubs and managed to attract celebrated performers such as Charlie Chaplin to the grand New Palace Theatre [163]. By 2008, it was still being described, perhaps with a touch of nostalgia, as the "late-night hub of Plymouth's entertainment strip" [164].

Plymouth rather enthusiastically hosts a variety of outdoor events and festivals, including the annual British Firework Championships in August, an event that, rather impressively, draws tens of thousands of spectators across the waterfront [165]. In August 2006, the world record for the most simultaneous fireworks was, perhaps somewhat gratuitously, surpassed by Roy Lowry of the University of Plymouth, with the explosive display unfolding over Plymouth Sound [166]. Since 2014, MTV Crashes Plymouth has been an annual fixture every July on Plymouth Hoe, featuring rather big-name acts such as The 1975, Little Mix, Tinie Tempah, and even the resurrected Busted [167]. Between 1992 and 2012, the "Music of the Night" celebration was performed within the venerable Royal Citadel by the 29 Commando Regiment and local performers, serving the dual purpose of entertainment and fundraising for local and military charities [168]. A number of other smaller cultural events also grace the city annually, including Plymouth Art Weekender [169], Plymouth Fringe Festival [170], and Illuminate Festival [171]. A rather constant churn of human creativity.

The city's principal theatrical venue is Theatre Royal Plymouth, which rather ambitiously presents both large-scale West End productions and more intimate works, alongside an extensive education and outreach programme. Its main building, located in the city centre, houses three distinct performance spaces: The Lyric (with a capacity of 1,315) [172], Drum Theatre (a more intimate 200 capacity) [173], and The Lab (a mere 60 capacity). They also, rather practically, operate their own specialized production and creative learning centre, TR2, based in Cattedown [174]. Plymouth Pavilions serves multiple functions for the city, hosting music concerts, basketball matches, and stand-up comedy [175]. For film enthusiasts, there are three cinemas: Reel Cinema at Derrys Cross, Plymouth Arts Centre at Looe Street, and a Vue cinema at the Barbican Leisure Park [176]. Barbican Theatre, Plymouth, focuses its efforts on a theatre and dance programme of performances and workshops, with a particular emphasis on young people and emerging artists. It features a main auditorium (with a flexible capacity of 110 – 140) and a rehearsal studio [177]. They also host the B-Bar (80 capacity), which offers a diverse programme of music, comedy, and spoken word performances [178]. The Plymouth Athenaeum, which includes a local interest library, is a society rather nobly dedicated to the promotion of learning across the fields of science, technology, literature, and art. In 2017, its auditorium (340 capacity) was, rather belatedly, returned to use as a theatre, having been out of service since 2009 [179]. The Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery, now rebranded as The Box, is operated by Plymouth City Council and offers free admission, featuring six galleries [180].

Plymouth serves as the regional television centre for BBC South West [181]. A team of dedicated journalists are headquartered in Plymouth for the ITV West Country regional station, following a rather predictable merger with ITV West which forced ITV Westcountry to cease operations on 16 February 2009 [182]. The main local newspapers serving Plymouth are The Herald, Western Morning News, and the Plymouth Chronicle. For radio listeners, Greatest Hits Radio Plymouth, BBC Radio Devon, and Heart West are the local stations with the largest audiences [183]. A rather comprehensive media landscape.

Sport

[[File:Home Park (Plymouth Argyle FC) - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Home Park]] [[File:Plymouth Pavilions, home of the Plymouth Raiders.jpg|thumb|Plymouth Pavilions, home to the Plymouth City Patriots.]]

Plymouth is home to Plymouth Argyle F.C., who, as of the 2025-26 season, find themselves competing in the third tier of English football, Sky Bet League One. The team's home ground, rather conveniently located next to Central Park, is aptly named Home Park [184]. The club rather proudly links itself with the group of English non-conformists who, in 1620, famously departed Plymouth for the New World; hence, their enduring nickname, "The Pilgrims" [185]. The city also hosts three Non-League football clubs: Plymouth Parkway, who play at Bolitho Park; Elburton Villa, who call Haye Road home; and Plymstock United, who compete at Dean Cross. Plymouth Parkway earned promotion to the Western League from the South West Peninsula League in 2018, and after two rather inconveniently Covid-19 interrupted years, ascended to the Southern Football League in 2021. Meanwhile, Elburton Villa and Plymstock United continue their spirited competition in the South West Peninsula League [citation needed].

Other sports clubs that rather bravely compete in national competitions include Plymouth Albion, Plymouth City Patriots, Plymouth Raiders, and Plymouth Gladiators.

Plymouth Albion Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club that traces its origins back to 1875. They are currently competing in the third tier of Professional English Rugby, the National League 1, playing their home matches at the Brickfields [186].

In the realm of basketball, the city is represented by two teams: Plymouth City Patriots, who compete in the top-tier British Basketball League, and Plymouth Raiders, who play in the National Basketball League.

Plymouth Gladiators are a speedway team, currently competing in the British National League, with their home meetings taking place at the Plymouth Coliseum. Plymouth cricket club, established in 1843, sees its current 1st XI playing in the Devon Premier League. Plymouth is also home to Plymouth Marjons Hockey Club, whose 1st XI competed in the National League last season. The Plymouth Mariners Baseball club plays in the South West Baseball League, holding their home games at Wilson Field in Central Park. Plymouth was also, for a time, home to an American football club, the Plymouth Admirals, until 2010 [citation needed].

Plymouth, with its undeniable maritime heritage, serves as an important centre for watersports, particularly scuba diving and sailing. The Port of Plymouth Regatta holds the distinction of being one of the oldest regattas in the world, having been held with remarkable regularity since 1823. In September 2011, Plymouth had the honour of hosting the America's Cup World Series for a period of nine days [187]. A brief moment in the international sporting spotlight.

Public services

[[File:Devonport Leat on Dartmoor looking up stream - geograph.org.uk - 1656209.jpg|thumb|The Devonport Leat on Dartmoor looking up stream]]

Since 1973, Plymouth has been rather reliably supplied with water by South West Water. Prior to this takeover, in 1973, the supply was managed by the Plymouth County Borough Corporation [188]. Before the 19th century, two leats were ingeniously constructed to channel drinking water to the town, carrying it all the way from Dartmoor to Plymouth. One such watercourse, known as Plymouth or Drake's Leat, was inaugurated on 24 April 1591, designed to tap the waters of the River Meavy [189]. The Devonport Leat was subsequently constructed to convey fresh drinking water to the rapidly expanding town of Devonport and its ever-growing dockyard. It drew its supply from three Dartmoor rivers: The West Dart, Cowsic, and Blackabrook. It appears to have been operational since 1797, though its official completion date is recorded as 1801. Originally intended to supply water directly to Devonport town, it has since been shortened and now, rather pragmatically, carries water to Burrator Reservoir, which, in turn, supplies the majority of Plymouth's water needs [190]. Burrator Reservoir itself is located approximately 5 miles (8 km) north of the city and was initially constructed in 1898, undergoing expansion in 1928 [191].

[[File:Plymouth Combined Crown and County Court Centre - geograph.org.uk - 1656133.jpg|thumb|The Plymouth Combined Crown and County Court Centre]]

Plymouth City Council holds the rather unenviable responsibility for waste management across the city, while South West Water is, rather aptly, responsible for sewerage [192][193]. Plymouth's electricity supply is drawn from the National Grid and distributed throughout the city via Western Power Distribution [194]. On the outskirts of Plympton, a combined cycle gas-powered station, the Langage Power Station, began generating electricity for Plymouth at the close of 2009 [195].

Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service maintains a magistrates' court and a Combined Crown and County Court Centre within the city [196][197]. The Plymouth Borough Police, initially formed in 1836, eventually merged to become part of the larger Devon and Cornwall Constabulary [198]. Police stations are located at Charles Cross and Crownhill (which serves as the Divisional HQ), with smaller stations in Plympton and Plymstock [199]. The city also hosts one of the Devon and Cornwall Area Crown Prosecution Service Divisional offices [200]. Plymouth is served by five fire stations, strategically located in Camel's Head, Crownhill, Greenbank, Plympton, and Plymstock, all operating under the umbrella of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service [201]. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution maintains an Atlantic 85 class lifeboat and a Severn class lifeboat stationed at Millbay Docks [202].

Plymouth is medically served by Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, with the city's primary NHS hospital being Derriford Hospital, located approximately 4 miles (6 km) north of the city centre. The Royal Eye Infirmary is also conveniently situated at Derriford Hospital [203]. The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust operates within Plymouth and the wider south west region, with its headquarters located in Exeter [204].

The mid-19th-century burial ground at Ford Park Cemetery was rather commendably reopened by a successful trust formed in 2000 [205]. The City council also manages two large early 20th-century cemeteries, at Weston Mill and Efford, both of which are equipped with crematoria and chapels [206]. Additionally, there is a privately owned cemetery on the city's outskirts, Drake Memorial Park, which, in a rather unconventional approach, does not permit headstones to mark graves, opting instead for brass plaques set flush into the ground [207]. A rather understated approach to remembrance.

Landmarks and tourist attractions

[[File:Foulston's Town Hall, Column and Library in Devonport.jpg|thumb|Grade I listed Town Hall, Column and Library in Devonport]] [[File:Elliot Terrace, Plymouth Hoe - geograph.org.uk - 128453.jpg|thumb|Elliot Terrace, Plymouth Hoe]]

Following the conclusion of the rather unpleasant English Civil War, the imposing Royal Citadel was erected in 1666 towards the eastern section of Plymouth Hoe. Its purpose was twofold: to defend the port from potential naval attacks and, perhaps more pointedly, to suppress any lingering Plymothian Parliamentary leanings, while also serving as a training ground for the armed forces. Currently, for those with a penchant for historical fortifications, guided tours are available during the summer months [28]. Further to the west stands Smeaton's Tower, a rather iconic lighthouse originally constructed in 1759, some 14 miles (23 km) offshore. This structure was, in a remarkable feat of engineering and preservation, dismantled in 1877, and its top two-thirds were meticulously reassembled on Plymouth Hoe [208]. It is now open to the public, offering panoramic views over the Plymouth Sound and the city from its lantern room [209]. Plymouth is also home to 20 war memorials, nine of which are prominently displayed on The Hoe. These include the Plymouth Naval Memorial, a poignant tribute to those lost in World Wars I and II who have no known grave [210], and the Armada Memorial, commemorating the decisive defeat of the Spanish Armada [211]. A rather sombre collection of historical markers.

The early port settlement of Plymouth, originally known as "Sutton," roughly corresponds to the area now rather charmingly referred to as the Barbican. This historic quarter boasts an impressive 100 listed buildings and the highest concentration of cobbled streets in Britain [212]. It was from near the commemorative Mayflower Steps in Sutton Pool that the Pilgrim Fathers embarked on their momentous journey to the New World in 1620 [213]. Also situated on Sutton Pool is the National Marine Aquarium, which proudly showcases 400 different marine species and features Britain's deepest aquarium tank [214]. A rather comprehensive collection of aquatic life.

A mile (two kilometres) upstream on the opposite side of the River Plym lies the Saltram estate, home to a magnificent Jacobean and Georgian mansion [215].

On the northern outskirts of the city, Crownhill Fort stands as a remarkably well-restored example of a "Palmerston's Folly." It is owned by the Landmark Trust and is, rather conveniently, open to the public [216].

To the west of the city lies Devonport, one of Plymouth's historically rich quarters. As part of Devonport's millennium regeneration project, the Devonport Heritage Trail has been introduced, complete with over 70 waymarkers meticulously outlining the route [217].

Plymouth, for those with a desire to explore beyond its immediate confines, is frequently utilized as a convenient base for visitors venturing into Dartmoor, the Tamar Valley, and the picturesque beaches of south-east Cornwall [218]. Kingsand, Cawsand, and Whitsand Bay are particularly popular destinations [219].

The Roland Levinsky Building, an undeniable landmark within the University of Plymouth, is situated in the city's central quarter. Designed by the esteemed architect Henning Larsen, the building was officially opened in 2008 and currently houses the University's Arts faculty [220].

Beckley Point, soaring to a height of 78m (20 floors), holds the distinction of being Plymouth's tallest building [221][222]. It was completed on 8 February 2018, having been designed by Boyes Rees Architects and constructed by contractors Kier.

  • Images of landmarks

  • [[File:Smeaton's Tower, Plymouth.jpg|Smeaton's Tower]]

  • [[File:Plymouth Sound and Breakwater.jpg|Plymouth Sound and Breakwater]]

  • [[File:National Armada memorial (Britannia).jpg|National Armada memorial (Britannia)]]

  • [[File:Naval War Memorial, Plymouth - panoramio.jpg|Naval War Memorial]]

  • [[File:The Parade, Barbican, Plymouth - geograph.org.uk - 1656221.jpg|The Parade, Barbican]]

  • [[File:Mayflower Steps Memorial - Plymouth - Devon - England.jpg|The Mayflower Steps Memorial]]

  • [[File:Saltram House from the east.jpg|Saltram House remodelled by the architect Robert Adam]]

  • [[File:Beckley Point, Plymouth.jpg|Beckley Point]]

Notable people

[[File:Sir Francis Drake.jpg|thumb|Sir Francis Drake]]

Individuals hailing from Plymouth are rather predictably known as Plymothians, or, in a more informal and colloquial manner, as Janners [223]. The term "Janner" is described as referring to a person from Devon, deriving from "Cousin Jan" (the Devon form of John), but more specifically, within naval circles, it denotes anyone from the Plymouth area [224].

The illustrious Elizabethan navigator, Sir Francis Drake, though born in the nearby town of Tavistock, served as the mayor of Plymouth, a rather significant local role [225]. He holds the distinction of being the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world, and was known to the Spanish, rather ominously, as El Draco, meaning "The Dragon," after his rather disruptive raids on many of their ships [226]. He met his end, rather unglamorously, from dysentery in 1596 off the coast of Portobelo, Panama [227]. In 2002, a mission to recover his body and return it to Plymouth was, rather surprisingly, sanctioned by the Ministry of Defence [228]. His cousin and contemporary, John Hawkins, was also a Plymouth man.

The esteemed painter Sir Joshua Reynolds, who went on to found and serve as the first president of the Royal Academy, was born and educated in nearby Plympton, an area now incorporated into Plymouth. William Cookworthy, born in Kingsbridge, established his successful porcelain business in the city and maintained a close friendship with John Smeaton, the innovative designer of the Eddystone Lighthouse. Benjamin Robert Haydon, an English painter renowned for his grand historical pictures, was born here in 1786 [229]. The naturalist William Elford Leach, who significantly contributed to paving the way in Britain for Charles Darwin's revolutionary ideas, was born at Hoe Gate in 1791 [230].

Antarctic explorers Robert Falcon Scott, who was actually born in Plymouth, and Frank Bickerton both, at different times, resided in the city [231][232]. The artistic community includes Beryl Cook, whose distinctive paintings often depicted the vibrant culture of Plymouth [233], and Robert Lenkiewicz, an artist whose provocative works explored themes of vagrancy, sexual behaviour, and suicide, and who lived in the city from the 1960s until his death in 2002 [234]. Illustrator and creator of the beloved children's series Mr Benn and King Rollo, David McKee, was born and raised in South Devon and received his artistic training at Plymouth College of Art [235]. Jazz musician John Surman, though born in nearby Tavistock, maintains strong connections to the area, a fact evidenced by his 2012 album Saltash Bells. The avant-garde prepared guitarist Keith Rowe was born in the city [citation needed] before going on to establish the jazz free improvisation band AMM in London in 1965 and MIMEO in 1997. The musician and film director Cosmo Jarvis has lived in several towns across South Devon and has utilized locations in and around Plymouth for filming his videos [236]. In the acting world, Sir Donald Sinden and Judi Trott both claim Plymouth as their birthplace. George Passmore, one half of the Turner Prize-winning duo Gilbert and George, was also born in the city, as was the Labour politician Michael Foot, whose family resides at the nearby Trematon Castle [237].

Notable athletes from Plymouth include the swimmer Sharron Davies [238], the diver Tom Daley [239], the dancer Wayne Sleep [240], and the footballer Trevor Francis [241]. Other past residents of interest include the composer, journalist, and newspaper editor William Henry Wills, film music composer Ron Goodwin [242], and journalist Angela Rippon [243], along with comedian Dawn French. Canadian politician and legal scholar Chris Axworthy also hailed from Plymouth [244]. The America-based actor Donald Moffat, known for his roles as American Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson in the film The Right Stuff, and the fictional President Bennett in Clear and Present Danger, was born in Plymouth [245]. Canadian actor Mark Holden also shares Plymouth as his birthplace. Kevin Owen is an international TV news anchor who was born in Freedom Fields Hospital, a detail perhaps only interesting to him, while his father served as a Royal Navy officer [citation needed]. The infamous Cambridge spy Guy Burgess was born at 2 Albemarle Villas, Stoke, during his father's service as a Royal Navy officer [246]. A rather eclectic mix of individuals, proving that Plymouth, like any city, is a crucible for all sorts of human endeavour.

Twin city

  • Brest, France [247]
  • Gdynia, Poland [247]
  • Novorossiysk, Russia (Suspended 2022) [247]
  • [Plymouth, Massachusetts](/Plymouth,_