Plymouth - a day by the Ho

-
We had been looking forward to visiting Plymouth and found ourselves blessed with lovely weather today. We left the car at a Park & Ride and got off at The Barbican, which is the name given to the western and northern sides of Sutton Harbour, the original harbour of Plymouth in Devon, England.


Boats in Sutton Harbour


The Mayflower Steps is a commemoratve area in honour of Pilgrim Fathers who set sail for the New World in 1620. I think this spot is symbolic rather than the actual spot.


The Leviathan or Barbican Prawn

The Barbican Prawn standing 33ft tall and unveiled in 1996. Official name The Leviathon


El Galeon. 17th Century Spanish Galleon Replica

The huge ship which sailed into Plymouth in September and moored at Barbican Landing Stage. The full-size replica of a 17th century Spanish galleon was original due to visit the city in August, but it was postponed due to the bad weather. Since September 13, visitors have been exploring the 'living museum', which was scheduled to leave on September 17. But as Plymouth is its last port of call on its summer-long tour of some of Europe's most important ports, it was able to extend the visit. Lucky to see this as it was still there on the day we visited.
Then we continued our walk along Plymouth Hoe as there were plenty of attractions we thought.


The two guns situated on the Hoe are restored ships’ cannons from the 19th century. They may have seen action during the Crimean War (1853 – 1856) or during one of the many Naval expeditions that Britain undertook during the 19th century. The gun carriages are replicas.


Part of the old citadel walls


Drake Island


Tinside Lido - what a fabulous spot.


Royal Marine Memorial

There are several memorials in this area as I guess it's a good visitor and viewing area.


Welcome to Plymouth


A centrepiece on Plymouth's Hoe, Smeaton's Tower has become one of the South West's most well-known landmarks. The lighthouse was originally built on the Eddystone reef in 1759 at a cost of £40,000 but was taken down in the early 1880s when it was discovered that the sea was undermining the rock it was standing on. Approximately two thirds of the structure was moved stone by stone to its current resting place on the Hoe.


RAF and Allied Air Forces memorial


Armada memorial


Frances Drake

Sir Francis Drake (c. 1540 – 28 January 1596) Born in Tavistock.was an English explorer and privateer best known for his circumnavigation of the world in a single expedition between 1577 and 1580. This was the first English circumnavigation, and third circumnavigation overall. He is also known for participating in the early English slaving voyages of his cousin, Sir John Hawkins, and John Lovell. Having started as a simple seaman, in 1588 he was part of the fight against the Spanish Armada as a vice-admiral. He served as mayor of Plymouth in 1582. and MP/in 1583


Plymouth Navel Memorial

Then we walked past a bowling Green (Frances Drake?) and back toward our bus stop. As luck would have it, we came upon an enormous statue which I had spotted on the way in.



Messenger - Outside Theatre Royal

Just to give an idea of its size, Rosey is almost underneath when I took this image. Messenger is a large statue in Plymouth, UK, created by the Cornish artist Joseph Hillier, depicting a female actor crouching in preparation to run onstage. It was commissioned by and installed outside the Theatre Royal, Plymouth in 2019 in preparation for the city's Mayflower 400 celebrations.
A really interesting day with plenty of historic reminders.



Location: Hoe Park, 4 Osborne Pl, Plymouth PL1 2PJ, UK

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The lost Pubs, Inns and Taverns of Hadleigh

-
Image
Having been photographing some of the many Listed buildings in Hadleigh, I was surprised at the number of inns, taverns, pubs etc which have been in the town over the years. Then I came across a site called `The Lost Pubs of Hadleigh` and was taken by the idea of photographing all that I could find; bearing in mind that some have been demolished and some are noted, but there is no certainty as to where they actually were situated. There are 21 in total that are listed here, but I understand that there are others of more uncertain nature which may have been inns or pubs. However, here is my effort, starting with what to me was a big surprise! - the ex Council Offices. The Anchor - Bridge Street This pub / beer house managed to go through a few names in its time:  Between 1661 & 1835 it was called the Standard** Between 1837 & 1871 it was called the Barley Mow** Between 1871 & 1927 it was called the Anchor** One landlady was named as Elisabeth Scrivener, and is recorded a...
Read more

The hidden history of Little Wenham

-
Image
Little Wenham is a small village in Suffolk, England. It is part of the civil parish of Wenham Parva (the ancient name for Little Wenham) within Babergh district. A village with no public roads but fortunately some rights of way. Its most famous building, Little Wenham Hall, is largely hidden from view. To quote Sir Nikolaus Pevsner from his “The Buildings of England” series, “The house was built c.1270 - 80, probably for Sir John de Vallibus and his successor Petronilla of Nerford. It is of great historical importance for two reasons. The first is that it is built of brick, and represents one of the earliest uses of home-made brick in England. Flint is used only for the base of the walls and stone for the much rebuilt buttresses and dressings. The second point of outstanding interest is that the house is a house and not a keep. It is fortified of course, but it is in its shape and appointment on the way from the fortress to the manor house and so ranks with Stokesay and Acton Bu...
Read more

Loch Spelve and otters

-
Image
Located in the south-eastern ‘corner’ of Mull, Loch Spelve is a large tidal body of water bounded by an unclassified single track road which branches off at its western end with one track running back along the southern shores of the loch to Croggan and the main track running west to Loch Buie. Being just south of where we were staying, it looked a great place to explore. Definitely an `unclassified single track road`!  We had read of the otters being seen here. On arriving to park, we were cruising along the Loch side when we spotted a woman, loaded with camera gear coming toward us. On speaking to her, it transpired that she and her husband (both keen photographers), were in the area photographing otters. Soon afterwards she caught our attention and we followed her along the loch as an otter went about his business on the loch side. Magic!  Another view of the lock and an interesting tree by the side  Curlew on Loch Spelve sh...
Read more