Where is Plymouth?
Plymouth is a city situated in the southern part of Devon, with the rivers Plym and Tamar sitting on either side of the city.
It's about an hour's drive from Exeter and about 4 and half hours' drive from London.
It's located on the English Channel, with a direct ferry connecting Plymouth to France, on the other side of the channel.
Transport in Plymouth
Plymouth has its own railway station, with regular trains, operated by Great Western Railway, running from Plymouth to London Paddington. A direct train from Plymouth to Paddington takes a little under 3 and a half hours, with other services offered by Great Western Railway, including routes to the likes of Reading, Bristol and Cardiff.
Commuters can also catch services to places like Bristol, Birmingham and Sheffield via routes operated by CrossCountry, as well as services to various destinations across Scotland, including Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
The city, itself, has the A38 Dual-Carriageway running through it. Colloquially referred to as 'The Parkway', this dual-carriageway connects different parts of the city to one another and also links up to the M5 – an easy-to-navigate motorway that connects Devon with Cornwall.
There's also a ferry service, operated by Brittany Ferries, which carries passengers from Plymouth to France.
Shopping in Plymouth
Plymouth's largest shopping centre is Drake Circus – an eclectic complex that offers everything from designer outlets to a wide selection of cafés and restaurants.
The shopping centre is also home to a Cineworld cinema, a Trident gym and a fun indoor play area for kids, called the Wild Things Play Project.
Other retailers in the area include the Armada Shopping Centre – another similarly diverse mall that also offers a cinema, a nightclub and a bingo hall. The Armada is also home to a large Sainsbury's outlet too.
For bigger purchases, like for furniture and vehicles, Marsh Mills retail park is home to a car dealership and a Furniture Village outlet amongst other stores.
Things to do in Plymouth
Plymouth hosts several festivals throughout the year, including its very own fringe festival as well as its Plymouth Art Weekender.
The city is, however, probably best known for its annual British Firework Championships which attracts thousands of people to the city every year.
Aside from its festivals though, Plymouth generally has quite a distinctive cultural scene, with popular entertainment venues, like the Royal Theatre Plymouth, being cornerstones of its nightlife.
The Plymouth Pavillion regularly puts on concerts and comedy shows, while the Plymouth Arts Centre is known for showcasing the works of independent filmmakers.
Plymouth also has an abundance of parks, including Devonport Park, Freedom Fields Park, Central Park, and West Hoe Park.
Popular places to live in Plymouth
Plymouth is made up of several suburbs, each offering something slightly different. Depending on what sort of neighbourhood you're looking for, the following may be worth considering:
Tamerton Foliot
A more village-y part of Plymouth, Tamerton Foliot is a civil parish known for having more of a period feel, with the buildings in the area generally having a more traditional aesthetic.
A residential area at its core, the village only has a couple of pubs and is slightly removed from the more dynamic central areas of Plymouth.
Its simpler rural feel will appeal, though, to those who don't want a place that's "on" all the time.
With a primary school in the area – the Mary Dean's Church of England Primary School – and a local convenience store within easy reach, the village is just self-contained enough that you could live comfortably at Tamerton Foliot without having to take too many trips to the city centre.
Roborough
A place with a more urban feel than Tamerton Foliot, Roborough is a highly practical place to live thanks to its proximity to a number of convenient amenities, including a large Tesco Extra, with several other retail parks only a short drive away.
With Derriford Hospital also situated around the area, Roborough is perfectly suited to individuals and families wanting a place where all the core essentials are just a stone's throw away.
Whilst not as busy or as bustling as the city centre, Roborough's convenience factor makes it an excellent residential suburb.
Hartley
A leafier suburb of Plymouth, Hartley is one of Plymouth's older suburbs, giving it a richer sense of character.
The area has an established community, with it not being uncommon to find people who have lived there for decades.
It's definitely recommended if you're after somewhere with a more quiet and peaceful energy. In fact, Hartley is particularly popular amongst retirees or those approaching the retirement age, with its quieter streets and expansive gardens proving to be something of an escape for those looking to leave the hectic city centre life behind.
Considering living in Plymouth?
If you're after somewhere by the coast and want to live in Devon, Plymouth is a city that should certainly be considered.
A city that's far from a monolith, beyond the city centre's artsy venues lie a Plymouth that is made up of leafy suburbs and urban melting pots.
We have a number of new homes situated about 15 minutes' drive from Plymouth, in nearby Saltash.
To find out more about our new homes in and around Plymouth, book an appointment today.
