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The Box, Plymouth city centre

Companionship carePlymouth

Days out in Plymouth for an older parent

Seven places in Plymouth that make a good day out for an older parent, from The Box to Plymouth Gin Distillery. For each one: what its own access information confirms, what it costs, how long to allow, and the carers nearby who drive and could take them.

Researched by PrimeCarers from each place’s own website and access information  ·  Updated October 2026

The Box. Photo: Geni, CC BY-SA 4.0

Seven days out across six towns

The best places to take an older parent in Plymouth

Four of them are free to visit or to walk around. The access information for two describes a step-free route, and four confirm an accessible toilet. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

The Box, Plymouth city centre

Photo: Geni, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Plymouth city centre

The Box

The Box is Plymouth's museum, gallery and archive, with permanent galleries on the city's natural history, maritime past and the Mayflower, and changing art exhibitions. A flock of ship figureheads hangs in the main hall.

Entry is free, there is step-free access at the main entrance, lifts to all public areas, and two wheelchairs and a mobility scooter can be borrowed free from the welcome desk.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Free entry, some events charged

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route
  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Plymouth city centre

Plymouth Hoe and Smeaton's Tower, The Hoe

Photo: this version: Smalljim, original: Mark.murphy, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Coast · The Hoe

Plymouth Hoe and Smeaton's Tower

Plymouth Hoe is the grassy clifftop park where Drake is said to have finished his game of bowls, looking out over Plymouth Sound. The red and white Smeaton's Tower lighthouse stands on the Hoe, and the promenade has cafés and the art deco Tinside Lido below.

All pathways have step-free access by ramps or slopes, there is Blue Badge parking, seating, cafés and a Changing Places toilet, so a carer can plan a gentle seafront stroll with rests.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route
  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near The Hoe

The Barbican and Sutton Harbour, Barbican

Photo: N Chadwick, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Market town · Barbican

The Barbican and Sutton Harbour

The Barbican is Plymouth's old harbour quarter, with cobbled streets and more than 200 listed buildings, many Tudor and Jacobean, beside the fishing boats of Sutton Harbour. Southside Street has antique shops, galleries and cafés, and the Mayflower Steps mark where the Pilgrims set sail in 1620.

There are accessible toilets on the Barbican next to the Glassblowing House, but some streets are cobbled, so a carer should keep to the smoother quayside for a short stroll and a café stop.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Barbican

Royal William Yard, Stonehouse

Photo: Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Day out · Stonehouse

Royal William Yard

Royal William Yard is a grand former Royal Navy victualling yard built in the 1830s on the waterfront at Stonehouse, now home to restaurants, cafés, galleries and shops. Visitors can walk around the granite buildings and along the water's edge with views across Plymouth Sound.

There are more than ten Blue Badge bays, but parking must be paid for by everyone and many connecting roads are cobbled, so a carer should plan a short route between the café and the waterfront.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free to visit, parking charged including Blue Badge holders

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Stonehouse

Saltram, Plympton

Photo: xlibber, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Historic house · Plympton

Saltram

Saltram is a Georgian mansion on the edge of Plymouth, cared for by the National Trust, with original interiors by Robert Adam, Chinese wallpapers and paintings by Joshua Reynolds. Its landscaped park runs down to the River Plym, and there is a tearoom in the chapel and a park café.

There are Blue Badge bays near the welcome centre, adapted toilets in several places, and manual wheelchairs and an all-terrain mobility scooter can be borrowed.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Plympton

National Marine Aquarium, Coxside

Photo: National Marine Aquarium, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Animals · Coxside

National Marine Aquarium

The National Marine Aquarium on Sutton Harbour is the largest public aquarium in the UK, with sharks, turtles and thousands of fish. Its biggest tank recreates the Atlantic Ocean, and other displays cover Plymouth Sound and coral reefs.

It is all indoors and next to the Barbican, and a carer can check the aquarium's accessibility page for lift and seating details before booking.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Coxside

Plymouth Gin Distillery, Barbican

Photo: Smalljim, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Day out · Barbican

Plymouth Gin Distillery

The Black Friars Distillery on the Barbican has been the home of Plymouth Gin since 1793 and is the oldest working gin distillery in England. The building dates from the early 1400s and the Mayflower Pilgrims are said to have spent their last night here before sailing.

There is level access into the building, though some areas are reached by ramps, so a carer can ask about the tour route when booking.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Barbican

Regular groups and events in Plymouth

Something to go back to every week or every year, from our research into what older people enjoy doing in Plymouth.

  • Music · PlymouthBand of HM Royal Marines Plymouth concertsThe Royal Marines band based in the city gives public concerts at the Theatre Royal, mixing military marches with lighter orchestral pieces. A carer can book seats near an aisle, arrange the parking or taxi and stay for the whole evening.Details
  • Dancing · PlymouthTea Dance with a TwistAn afternoon tea dance run by Plymouth Dance, combining live music, refreshments and social dancing for older people. A carer can go along as a partner or simply as company at the table, which makes a first visit much easier.Details
  • Photography · PlymouthPlymouth Camera ClubA established city camera club with regular meetings, talks, competitions and outings for members of all levels. A carer can provide the lift to evening meetings and help with carrying and setting up a tripod on club outings.Details
  • Painting · PlymouthPlymouth Society of ArtistsA long-running society of artists working in and around the city, which holds group exhibitions of members' work. A carer can help with getting to meetings and exhibitions, or set up materials at home for someone who prefers to paint indoors.Details
  • Sports · PlymouthWalking football with Argyle Community TrustFriendly walking football sessions for adults over 50, run weekly by the football club's community trust at Manadon. A carer can take someone to their first free session and stay to watch, which makes joining a new group less daunting.Details
  • Sports · PlymouthPlymouth Life Centre Indoor Bowls ClubAn indoor bowls club playing at the city's main leisure centre, so games go ahead whatever the weather. A carer can help with kit, transport and booking so a regular game stays part of the week.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in Plymouth

At a glance

The seven places side by side

What each place’s own access information confirms. “Ask” means it does not say, not that it is missing.

PlaceTimeCostStep-freeToiletCafé
The BoxPlymouth city centrehalf a dayFreeYesYesAsk
Plymouth Hoe and Smeaton's TowerThe Hoean hour or twoFreeYesYesYes
The Barbican and Sutton HarbourBarbicanhalf a dayFreePartlyYesYes
Royal William YardStonehousean hour or twoFreePartlyAskYes
SaltramPlymptonhalf a dayPaid entryPartlyYesYes
National Marine AquariumCoxsidehalf a dayPaid entryAskAskAsk
Plymouth Gin DistilleryBarbicanan hour or twoPaid entryPartlyAskAsk

Where the places are in Plymouth

The county’s boundary, numbered as on this page, with the main towns for reference.

1234567
  1. 1The Box, Plymouth city centre
  2. 2Plymouth Hoe and Smeaton's Tower, The Hoe
  3. 3The Barbican and Sutton Harbour, Barbican
  4. 4Royal William Yard, Stonehouse
  5. 5Saltram, Plympton
  6. 6National Marine Aquarium, Coxside
  7. 7Plymouth Gin Distillery, Barbican

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in Plymouth

Carers in Plymouth charge £19 to £22 an hour through PrimeCarers, typically £20, with our fee included. A four-hour outing is about £80 for the carer’s time. Entry, food and parking are extra, and travel costs are only payable if you agree them with the carer in advance, in writing. The cost of home care in Plymouth has the full figures.

Photographs on this page are from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in Plymouth

The Box in Plymouth city centre, Plymouth Hoe and Smeaton's Tower in The Hoe, The Barbican and Sutton Harbour in Barbican, Royal William Yard in Stonehouse, Saltram in Plympton, National Marine Aquarium in Coxside and Plymouth Gin Distillery in Barbican. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

The access information for The Box and Plymouth Hoe and Smeaton's Tower describes a step-free route. The Box, Plymouth Hoe and Smeaton's Tower, The Barbican and Sutton Harbour and Saltram have an accessible toilet. The Box and Saltram lend wheelchairs. Access changes, so ring ahead about anything your parent depends on.

The Box, Plymouth Hoe and Smeaton's Tower, The Barbican and Sutton Harbour and Royal William Yard. Parking is often charged even where entry is free.

Yes. A companion carer can drive your parent there, walk at their pace, help with the toilet and meals, and bring them home. 25 of the carers with a rate near Plymouth drive. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £20 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in Plymouth shows who is available.

Often. Many attractions let a carer or companion in free, or at a reduced price, with a disabled visitor, and some ask for proof such as a letter or a benefit award. It varies, so check each place’s access or prices page before you go.

Where the nearest carers live

From the profiles of the carers based within about 45 minutes of Plymouth

Where the nearest carers live. A carer close to home can manage a longer day out.

Companionship care in the counties around Plymouth

Days out in the areas around Plymouth

Find a carer who could take them out in Plymouth

See carers near Plymouth who drive, with their photos, interests, rates and reviews. Talking to them is free and nothing is booked until you say so.

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