Plymouth - Historic Naval City

Plymouth is the biggest city in the county of Devon, inDuring the war, Plymouth was bombed a lot and had
south west England. It is famous for the Mayflowerto be almost completely rebuilt. Today, however, it is a
setting sail for America with the Pilgrims on board. It isthriving regional city, and home to more than 250,000
also famous for Frances Drake finishing a game ofpeople, making it the 15th biggest city in England.
bowls there before setting out to attack the SpanishThere are many things to do and see around
Armada. It is located 190 miles south west of London.Plymouth. Obviously, the most prominent aspect of the
The first recording of a settlement around thecity is the Hoe - a large south facing area of open
Plymouth area was during the Bronze Age, when apublic space, with views of the seafront and limestone
settlement called Mount Batten was formed. Thiscliffs. Other things to see are:
grew into a successful trading post for the Roman- Breakwater -- 1 mile long.
Empire, until a nearby village called Sutton surpassed it,- Lighthouse -- used to be 14 miles out to sea, but was
and this became what is now known as Plymouth.moved inland.
The Industrial Revolution saw Plymouth grow into a- Mayflower Steps - where the Mayflower set off for
major shipping port. Many imports and passengersAmerica.
from the Americas came through the port. Some ofAnd then, once you've had enough of all that, there's all
the main imports from the Americas and Europe duringthe usual seaside amusements and entertainments
the second half of the 19th century were corn, wheat,going on, to keep even the most difficult-to-please
sugar cane, barley, and sodium nitrate. Many Royaltourist happy.
Navy ships were constructed in the port too.