 Plymouth
is Devon's largest urban area, and the modern city extends inland far beyond its historic
waterfront. The original port of Sutton was insignificant until it became the base from
which many of the great maritime adventures of the 16th century began. Since that time,
Plymouth's naval dockyards have been its life, though they are now in decline.The famous Hoe stands above the breathtaking vista of
Plymouth Sound and Drake's Island, while to the north, on the west side of Sutton harbour,
is the Barbican area of the old town. It is an intriguining tangle of narrow streets and
alleys such as the cobbled New Streets, an Elizabethan survival.
The barbican is further enhanced by its busy fishing harbour and yacht marina and by
numerous excellent pubs and restaurants. Beyond the Barbican and The Hoe, the rebuilding
of the war-devastated central Plymouth has produced a spacious, modern city centre. |