The travellers guide to Plymouth.

Don’t!

That is the simple message at the moment. However if you would like to see an accurate replica of the chaos the city faced shortly after the blitz, enter at your own leisure. If you have an hour to spend, come and park in Vauxhall Street, put your feet up in Gydnia Way or try and working out the road works Rubik cube that is The Barbican! Notte Street is well named and it is not a street any more, more a cone strewn trench.

If you would like to get to the historic Barbican to sample its fantastic night life and famous restaurants or to simply watch the mouth breathers of society showering each other in lager, try Brittany Ferries. If you ask the Captain nicely he may drop you off near The Admiral McBride which is by far the quickest way to get to The Dolphin at the moment.

As for the city itself, here’s a quick recap. If you are coming from Exeter, peel off at Ivybridge, up past Ben Mee’s Dartmoor Zoo, down through Plympton, left into St Budeaux, over the Tamar Bridge, then double back, reverse down Royal Parade and set out on foot having abandoned the car anywhere at the end of the town which looks like someone has tried to recreate Stalingrad
just after the Germans left. Remember to pack a coat, compass and food for three days and if you are going to Sutton Harbour, a gas mask may also come in handy.

If you are coming from Cornwall, you have my deepest sympathy….on several levels.

Fitz