Plymouth

Located at the mouths of the rivers Plym and Tamar, Plymouth lies at the head of one of the world's largest and most spectacular natural harbours, the Plymouth Sound. People born in Plymouth are known as Plymothians or less formally as Janners.

Important locations in the city include The Royal Citadel, Devonport Dockyard and The Barbican from where the Pilgrims left for the New World in 1620.

The city has a rich maritime past and was once one of the two most important Royal Navy bases in the United Kingdom, a factor that made the city a prime target of the Luftwaffe during the Second World War.

After the destruction of the dockyards and city centre in the blitz of 1941, Plymouth was rebuilt under the guidance of architect Patrick Abercrombie and is now one of the few remaining naval dockyards in the United Kingdom and the largest naval base in Western Europe. In the Royal Navy, "Guzz" is a nickname for Devonport, from its original radio callsign.

Events

Many highly acclaimed events and festivals are held in Plymouth including the British Fireworks Championships, World Championship Class 1 Powerboat Racing and Music of the Night, a massive outdoor production held every two years in The Royal Citadel involving the efforts of the 29th Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery, The Royal Artillery Band, the band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines and hundreds of local amateur performers.

Swimming Pools in Plymouth

Indoor Pools

1. Central Park Leisure Pools A large variety of sessions are on their programme. During all busy periods sessions will be in operation and fitness lanes may be removed.

2. Fort Stamford Pool This indoor swimming pool is heated to 31°C and ideal for adults with children and for those who want gentle exercise in very warm water. It has a varied time table allowing adults to find quiet times in the day, mother and toddler periods, swimming lessons and Aqua Fit classes. The pool is also available for private hire.
   Note: This pool is unsupervised. All children under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by a parent or a responsible adult.

3. Plympton Swimming Pool
   Total refurbishment of the changing rooms plus maintenance work to the pool tank and plant room has recently been complete. A large variety of sessions are on their programme.

Outdoor Pools

1. Tinside Lido
   Built in 1935, Tinside Lido has always been popular with residents and visitors alike. The building was listed in 1998 and has been restored to its original 1930s art deco glory. Located on the world famous Plymouth Hoe, this facility offers panoramic views across Plymouth Sound. Tinside Lido opens for the summer season only, from late May until early September. Weather permitting it is open seven days a week.

2. Mount Wise
   This facility has a 25 metre rectangular swimming pool, a fun activity pool and a paddling pool, and opens for the summer season only, usually from late May until early September. Weather permitting it is open seven days a week. Entry to Mount Wise Swimming Pool is free of charge.

Nightlife

The centre of Plymouth's nightlife for over a century has been the infamous Union Street. Once lined with numerous music halls and cinemas, the street is now home to a wide number of bars, clubs and casinos such as Club Jesters, Kularoos Sports Bar, Walkabout Bar and The Stanley Grand Casino. The Millennium Complex was the major club on this thoroughfare incorporating three clubs in one, but was shut down due to allegations that drug dealers were operating within the premises. Union Street still maintains a reputation for unruly drunken behaviour but also as a place for a guaranteed wild night out. Although most clubs play commercial dance and R&B, there are some such as C103s which plays a variety of rock, spanning from classic to new age. Another location of clubs and bars is at the Barbican Leisure Park and the gay friendly Zero's on Lockyer Street.

There are a number of bars with live music such as the Barbican Jazz Cafe, The Cider Press, The Cooperage and The Three Crowns on The Barbican and Yates's Wine Lodge on Royal Parade. The Plymouth Gin Distillery on the Barbican serves award winning cocktails. Major cinemas include the ABC Cinema on Derry's Cross and the Vue multiscreen complex at the Barbican Leisure Park.

Mutley Plain, a road in the area of Mutley, is a pleasant residential shopping area and also now has many bars like Cafe Sol and The Underground, due to the increase of student population in the city. The Fortescue Hotel is a good natured & busy pub that has a wide range of beers, customers and a downstairs bar that boasts The Acoustic Cafe every Thursday night and Bizarre, Mutley (stand up comedy) on the 1st Saturday of each month.