'Plymouth: Harbour to Hoe' Guided Walking Tour

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.