Situated between the mouths of the Rivers Plym and Tamar on the south coast of Devon, the naval city of Plymouth offers spectacular sea views and centuries of maritime history.

There is much to see and do in the city, although Devon and Cornwall lure visitors away from the cityscape and into lush landscapes framed by golden sands, fishing pots, castles and cream teas. With Plymouth car hire, you can sample a little of everything this glorious part of England’s southwest has to offer.

The main attractions in Plymouth are relatively close together (it’s a 10-minute walk between Hoe Park and the National Marine Aquarium), though small children and the less mobile might struggle to get around this hilly city on foot. With car hire, Plymouth is much easier to navigate.

Plymouth Hoe is definitely worth a visit. It’s an open space atop the low limestone cliffs that form some of the city’s coastline, offering views across Plymouth Sound and the River Tamar as well as of Drake’s Island and parts of Cornwall. The Hoe is perhaps most famous as the supposed location where Sir Francis Drake played bowls while waiting for the tide to change so he could sail out to meet the Spanish Armada in battle.

Another key sight in the city is the Barbican, which constitutes the northern and western parts of the harbour and, having been miraculously spared during the Blitz, retains much of its fishing-port character. One of the highlights of the Barbican area is the Plymouth Gin Distillery, which has been in operation since 1793 and offers an alternative to the traditional London Dry Gin.

Nearby is the National Marine Aquarium, a major attraction for lovers of marine life.

The city's naval history is particularly evident at Royal William Yard, which served as a victualing yard for the Royal Navy until 1992. In recent years, it has been converted into residential and office space but, as a Grade I Listed building, retains its old naval spirit. Also well worth a visit is Tinside Pool, a 1935 Art Deco lido sited beside the Sound and open between May and September.

Plymouth has numerous transport links, including a railway station with regular services to London. There are good links with Exeter Airport (EXT; 60 minutes by road from Plymouth) and Newquay Cornwall Airport (NQY; 70 minutes by road). Pick up your car rental in Plymouth from one of the downtown locations in the city centre or arrange to collect your vehicle upon landing at Exeter or Newquay.  

Whatever your plans, cheap car hire can turn your city break into an adventure to remember. Hit search now and find your ideal rental vehicle.

The wilds of Dartmoor, in central Devon, are a short drive away (you can cross into the national park in less than half an hour from Plymouth). Take picturesque hikes in this area of protected moorland, keeping an eye out for the local ponies.

The beaches of South Devon – including Bantham, Bigbury, Slapton and Blackpool Sands – are all within an hour of Plymouth when you have four wheels at your disposal. Reaching these gorgeous stretches of sand and shingle would be almost impossible via public transport. For a seaside experience with lashings of fish and chips on the side, meanwhile, head for the English Riviera towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. Dartmouth, famed for the annual regatta, is also just an hour by road from Plymouth.

Alternatively, use the car ferry from Plymouth to reach Cornwall’s Rame Peninsula, which is often overlooked by holidaymakers heading deeper into the county. This peaceful and largely wooded area is home to lovely country parks, such as Mount Edgcumbe, and rock-pooling opportunities in the coastal villages of Cawsand and Kingsand.

Whitsand Bay, Looe and Polperro are also within reach. And within an hour of Plymouth, you can be in the St Austell area for a day trip to the Eden Project (access Cornwall via the Torpoint ferry or the Brunel Bridge across the Tamar River.)

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