At Strathmore House Apartments you are on the doorstep and perfectly central to the plethora of riches on offer in Plymouth.
Situated on Elliot Street, the area is home to some breathtaking Victorian architecture and alive with history; which continues to provide us with a calming rhythm, sincere sense of style and everlasting elegance of the era.
A short stroll away you will find Plymouth Hoe, which forms the natural heart of Plymouth. With its breathtaking views across Plymouth Sound, you can see why it is one of the most perfect natural harbours in the world. With terraced cafes and cliff edged bars and restaurants, grabbing a coffee whilst absorbing the sounds and smell of the sea air is the perfect treat and by far the nicest way to appreciate Plymouth’s history.
Standing tall on the green-lawned expanse and hard to miss, you have the iconic Smeaton’s Tower. A place enjoyed over the years by many, not least The Beatles! Open throughout the year it offers a beautiful vantage point from its stunning lantern room.
The local hero is of course Sir Francis Drake, who you will see immortalised in a statue on the Hoe, in the place where he finished his game on the green before heading off to defeat the SpanishArmada in 1588.
Then to Plymouth’s modern heroes, the troops of 29 Commando Royal Artillery, based in the beautiful Royal Citadel, the most impressive 17th century fortress in Britain. If your stay is during May to September, we can highly recommend you do the English Heritage tour on a Tuesday and Thursday.
On the Hoe you will also stumble across our large outdoor, salt water pool; Tinside Lido. Built in 1935 providing a cooling retreat on those hot summer days. The pool includes fountains, inflatable fun sessions, stunning views across Plymouth Sound, a sunbathing terrace, lounger, deckchair and wetsuit hire and disabled access. What is truly charming about the Lido is they still allow you to take your own refreshments and picnics, so bring your wicker baskets and flasks, grab a deckchair and enjoy the view!
Continue your stroll to the left of Smeaton’s Tower and you will discover the very beautiful Plymouth Barbican. Dazzling you with its charm and wealth of history, like a wise old owl it is packed with knowledge and oozing history. From the Pilgrim Fathers who set sail aboard the Mayflower Ship in 1620 from the Mayflower Steps, to the home of Plymouth Gin and it’s fine Distillery, to famous artists like Robert Lenkiewicz to quirky shops and delicious fish and chips! Here you can grab a water-taxi and explore our city by the sea.
Following the coast to your right, you have the newly developed Millbay; showcasing the areas engineering past and stunning seascapes. The view of the Millbay basin which was designed and built by distinguished engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1857; is remarkable. The gorgeous vista encompassing boats and catamarans bobbing sleepily in the marina and Drake’s Island beyond is the perfect backdrop after a busy day.
Close by you can also find the largest collection of Grade I listed buildings in Europe; The Royal William Yard. These former Royal Naval victualling buildings are alive with cafes, bars, restaurants, museum, art galleries and shops, making a great place to soak up the atmosphere and stunning backdrop that nightfall brings.
Adding to your list of musts whilst in Plymouth is Devonport, a place that is well worth a visit if you have time and like history. Formerly named Plymouth Dock, Devonport is home to Devonport Park, the oldest formal public park in Plymouth, Devon. From around 1757 the land served as the glacis a part of the Devonport Dock Line defences. These were open fields, kept free of development and providing no cover for an enemy. By the 1850s the Dock Lines had little military value and Devonport was keen to respond to the national public park movement. Devonport Park was open by 1858 for the purpose of healthful recreation by the public Corporation Minutes, August 1857.
The high ground that you see in Devonport is called Mount Wise, standing tall to protect the coastal approach to the dockyard. You also have the very beautiful Richmond Walk and Devonport Guildhall and Column with a Bakehouse in the Morgue and local artist’s exhibitions in the Cells!
Interesting fact about Devonport, Charles Darwin spent two months there from October 1831 waiting for the weather to improve so that HMS Beagle could begin its journey to South America.
Moving back in land, Plymouth is the largest centre for shopping in the South West, outside of Bristol. It features many independent retailers, market stalls, as well as national and international brands and high street favourites. The City Centre is pedestrianised, so you can take your time wondering around picking up unique finds and visiting our landmark shopping centre, Drake Circus.