Spring on the bus
Spring on the bus
It’s the start of a new season and there’s a host of activities to shake off those winter cobwebs, so spring on the bus to Plymouth’s top attractions.
With contactless payments available on all our buses and our simple fare structure, it’s so easy to catch the bus; remember single fares are capped at £2 and £4 for a return.
Plus, it is only £6 for unlimited travel with our adult dayrider and £8 over the weekend throughout the Plymouth zone.
But you don’t need to worry about buying the right ticket, we’ll do that for you. Use Tap and Cap on and off the bus each time and we’ll automatically calculate the best fare, now that’s freedom!
Taking the whole family? Our £10 a day family ticket * is a great way to explore the city.
* 3 x Children (under 16), 2 x Adults.
See full terms and ticket prices at Fares and tickets - Plymouth Bus
We are always adding events to our Things to do section, download the app today and keep up to date with what’s on in Plymouth, and our handy Journey planner will show you the quickest way to get there.
With so much happening around the city, taking the bus gives you the flexibility to let the good times roll into the evening with Plymouth’s fantastic array of bars and restaurants.
Also, you’ll be doing your bit for the environment. Taking the bus is one of the greenest ways to travel, think how many cars will be taken off the road with every full double-decker bus.
And, your children will love travelling by bus, it adds to the adventure!
Things to do, places to see in Plymouth:
Dartmoor Zoo
Have a fun-packed, animal-filled day at Dartmoor Zoo, there’s over 33 acres of woodland, celebrating a wide range of exotic and native animals. You're bound to find some of your favourites, from tigers, lions and cheetahs, to monkeys, meerkats and tapir.
Opening times:
Zoo opening times: 7 days a week, 10:00 - 16:00. Last entry is 1.5 hours before close.
Very occasionally the Zoo may be closed due to extreme weather.
Getting there:
Use our journey planner on the app from your location, the 59 service which runs Monday - Saturday will take you from the city centre to The Zoo (Sparkwell Birchlands View bus stop). Bus stop A13 from Royal Parade. (No Sunday Service)
For more information:
www.plymouthbus.co.uk/services/PLYC/59
www.dartmoorzoo.org.uk
What’s on:
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29th March - 14th April |
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Spring |
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Dates through April - August |
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Dates through April - August |
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4th May, 6th July, 17th August |
The Barbican
The Barbican is a historic area located on the waterfront of Plymouth. Steeped in history and brimming with charm, it is one of the city’s oldest districts, with narrow cobbled streets and picturesque harbour views, dating back centuries.
Visit The Mayflower Steps, Plymouth Gin Distillery. Take the ferry to Cawsand, Mount Batten, Royal William Yard from The Barbican or book a boat trip to see other coastal destinations.
Opening times of the Tourist Information Centre:
April to October: Monday to Saturday: 09:00 to 17:00, Sunday: 10:00 to 16:00.
Getting there:
Use our journey planner on the app from your location. Service 25 (Bus stop A16 Royal Parade) loops around from the city centre stopping near the Mayflower steps, opposite the Mayflower Visitor Centre and Tourist Information Centre for The Barbican. This service continues back to the city centre, all return journeys can be taken from the same stops.
For more information:
www.plymouthbus.co.uk/services/PLYC/25
www.mayflowermuseum.co.uk/
www.plymouthboattrips.co.uk
www.barbicanwaterfront.com/2024/02/22/barbican-easter-trail-2024/
www.barbicantheatre.co.uk
What’s on:
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Barbican’s Pirates Weekend |
18th and 19th May |
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Barbican Easter trails |
The trail will run from 29th March - 14th April, collect your trail sheet from the Tourist Information Centre on The Barbican. |
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Visit www.barbicantheatre.co.uk/whats-on/ for events |
Crownhill Fort
Crownhill Fort is one of the best-preserved 19th Century forts in Britain. There are regular open days and events so you can explore the 12-acre site and see the museum exhibits.
Opening times:
Crownhill Fort is open to the public on selective dates only. The inside of the Fort is private and not open to visitors at other times.
Getting there:
Use your journey planner on the app from your location. Crownhill bus stop is served by 14, 34, 42, 42A, 42B, 42C, 44, 50 and 51.
For more information:
www.plymouthbus.co.uk/services
www.landmarktrust.org.uk/crownhill-fort/
What’s on:
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Open day |
Easter Monday 1st April between 10:00 and 15:00 (the first public event of 2024) |
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Late opening at Crownhill Fort |
26th April | 16:00 to 20:00 |
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Open event |
16th May | 16:00 to 19:00 |
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Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings |
6th June | 19:00 to 22:00 |
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Firing of the Moncrieff Disappearing Gun |
9th July | 18:00 to 20:00 |
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Firing of the Caponier Guns |
23rd July | 18:00 to 20:00 |
National Marine Aquarium
National Marine Aquarium is the UK’s largest aquarium. Located on The Barbican, it is part of the Ocean Conservation Trust, a charity dedicated to connecting people with the Ocean. Book your tickets on their website www.national-aquarium.co.uk, plus when you buy one visit, you get 12 months free.
Opening times:
Open every day except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day (25th and 26th December).
Standard Season Opening Times (March - October) 10:00 - 17:00 daily. Last entry: 16:00
Winter Season Opening Times (November - February) 10:00 - 17:00. Last entry: 16:00
During our school Holiday period our opening time is 09:30 - 17:00, with last entry: 16:00.
Getting there:
Take route 25 (Royal Parade bus stop A16) to the Barbican , Mayflower Steps bus stop. Service 48 (Royal Parade bus stop A10) to alight at Coxside Lockyers Quay for a short walk to the NMA.
For more information:
www.plymouthbus.co.uk/services/PLYC/25
www.national-aquarium.co.uk
What’s on:
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Snorkel at the Aquarium |
Wednesday to Sunday, Various times |
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Sleepover at the Aquarium |
13th April & 25th May, From evening to morning |
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Ocean Todds at the Aquarium (between 2 and 4 years old) |
Every Tuesday and Friday between 10:00 and 11:00 |
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The Ocean Conservation Trust‘s Snorkel Safar |
Various dates, 10:30 -12:00 or 13.30 - 14:30 |
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Ocean-linked yoga classes |
Various Dates, 18:00 start (Hour-long session) |
The Hoe, Plymouth
With breath-taking panorama views across Plymouth Sound, it’s the perfect place to spend a sunny day, enjoying a picnic on the grass or taking a dip in the art deco Tinside Lido.
Opening times to climb the tower:
Open Saturday 30th March - Sunday 29th September plus selected dates in October, Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00 – 17:00. Or marvel at this beautiful lighthouse all year round, any time.
Getting there:
Use your journey planner on the app from your location, service 25 from Royal Parade (Bus stop A16) or it’s a 10-minute walk up to Plymouth Hoe.
For more information:
www.plymouthbus.co.uk/services/PLYC/25
www.visitplymouth.co.uk/explore/areas-to-visit/the-hoe
www.theboxplymouth.com/outside-the-box/smeatons-tower
www.visitplymouth.co.uk/things-to-do/activities/trails/plymouth-trails-app
What’s on:
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Smeaton's Tower Lighthouse |
The tower is open form 30th March - 29th September, plus selected dates in October, Tuesday - Sunday, 10:00 - 17:00 |
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Plymouth Trails App |
Download the app FOR trails |
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West Hoe Park |
Open 24 hours a day |
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Tinside Lido Swimming Pool |
Opens between May - September |
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Plymouth Armed Forces Day |
29th June | 10:00 - 22:30 |
The Market Hall
Blast off into space or dive down to the bottom of the ocean in the Market Hall’s fully immersive dome - the only one of its kind in Europe. Be surrounded by wonderful images and sounds that transport you into other worlds and places you’ve never been before.
Getting there:
The Market Hall, Devonport. Service 21 from Royal Parade (bus stop A1), 21A or 14 Royal Parade (bus stop A2) towards Devonport, Service 34 on Chapel Street, and 36 from Royal Parade (bus stop A2, Mon-Fri term time). The closest bus stop is Chapel Street which is 4 minutes’ walk from the Market Hall.
Opening times:
Monday - Friday 08:30 - 17:00, Saturday - 09:30 - 16:00, Sunday - 09:30 - 14:00
For more information:
www.plymouthbus.co.uk/services
https://real-immersive.realideas.org/whats-on/
What’s on:
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Legend of the Enchanted Reef |
29th March | 14:00 - 17:00 |
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Making Magic |
29th March | 12:00 - 13:00 and 30th March | 10:00 - 11:00, |
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DINOSAURS: A Story of Survival |
29th March | 10:00 - 11:00, plus showings in April and May |
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BUGS! A Rainforest Adventure |
3rd April | 10:00 - 11:00, showings throughout April and one in May. |
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Antarctica |
4th April | 12:00 - 13:00 |
The Box
The Box is Plymouth’s award-winning museum, art gallery and archive, proudly led by Plymouth City Council in Britain's Ocean City.
Getting there:
Use our journey planner on the app from your location. The Box is located on North Hill, served by the following routes: 8, 9, 20A, 27, 35, 35A, 41, 42, 42A, 42B, 42C, 44, 60, 61
Opening times:
Open 10:00 - 17:00 Tuesday - Sunday and selected Bank Holidays
(closed Good Friday / open Easter Monday)
For more information:
www.plymouthbus.co.uk/services
www.theboxplymouth.com/events
What’s on:
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Family Silent disco: Under the sea |
5th April | 17:30 - 21:00 |
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Family Fun: Life Underwater workshops |
2nd - 11th April, see their website for times. |
The Theatre Royal
The Theatre Royal Plymouth serves the South West with a wide range of theatre including classic and contemporary drama, musical productions and the presentation of national opera, ballet and dance companies. It also specialises in the production of new plays and has built a national reputation for the quality of its innovative work.
Getting there: The Theatre Royal is located on Royal Parade
Use our journey planner on the app from your location. All services to Royal Parade.
Opening times:
Season 1st Jan - 31st Dec 2024
Monday - Saturday 10:00 - 20:00, Sunday 09:00 - 17:00
For more information:
www.plymouthbus.co.uk/services
www.theatreroyal.com
What’s on:
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The Three Little Pigs |
26th March - 14th April |
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TRP Theatre Tours |
5th April - 4th October |
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Come From Away |
9th - 13th April |
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Pretty Woman: The Musical |
15th - 20th April |
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Connections Festival 2024 |
16th - 20th April |
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Cassie and the Lights |
24th - 27th April |
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Legend: The Music of Bob Marley |
6th April |
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Thank You for The Music - Abba Tribute |
27th April |
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WNO: Opera Favourites Concert |
30th April |
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Bluey's Big Play |
29th May - 2nd June |
Royal William Yard
This collection of Grade I listed buildings have been re-imagined by Urban Splash as Plymouth’s best place to live, work, stay, play and relax.
Getting there:
Use our journey planner on the app from your location. From the City Centre, you can catch the 34 Service which leaves from Royal Parade (bus stop A2), every 30 minutes and takes you to the main gate.
Service 70 from Cremyll and ferry to Stonehouse and a short walk to the Royal William Yard.
Opening times:
Royal William Yard is open 24/7, however shops and eateries have individual opening hours.
For more information:
www.plymouthbus.co.uk/services/PLYC/34
www.royalwilliamyard.com
What’s on:
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Live Comedy Night - Steel Brew |
29th March | 20:00 - 23:00 |
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Easter Egg Hunt |
30th March - 7th April | 12:00 - 17:00 |
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Eggstraordinary Easter with Mildred Tumbleweed |
30th March - April dates | Various times |
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Steel Brew Quiz Night |
31st March | 19:00 - 21:30 |
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Easter SUP Club |
2nd - 3rd April | 10:00 - 13:00 |
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Kids eat for a fiver - Hub Box |
Various dates in April |
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RWY Good Food & Craft Market (The Green) |
7th April | 10:00 - 15:00 |
Plymouth Pavilions
Plymouth Pavilions is the South West's leading entertainment, concert and conference venue - a multi-purpose complex that provides something for everyone. Over the years the versatile Arena has hosted an outstanding array of diverse performances.
Getting there:
Use our journey planner on the app from your location. All services to Royal Parade, Plymouth Pavilions is less than a 5-minute walk. Service 34 from Royal Parade (bus stop A2) stops on Millbay Road.
Opening times:
Plymouth Pavilions is not open during non-show days. When a show is scheduled, the venue will open its doors approximately 60 minutes before the show is due to start.
For more information:
www.plymouthbus.co.uk/services
www.plymouthpavilions.com
What’s on:
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Fisherman’s friends |
6th April | 19:30 |
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Paloma faith at Plymouth Pavilions |
14th April | 19:00 |
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Staying relevant |
20th April | 19:30 |
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Rumours of Fleetwood mac |
28th April | 8:00pm |
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Strictly come dancing |
4th - 5th May | 14:30 and 19:30 |
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Romesh Ranganathan |
8th May | 20:00 |
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Blue |
10th May | 19:00 |
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The roebuck theatre: hm rm band |
16th May 19:30 |
Great Scenic Journeys in Plymouth
Explore stunning scenery, fascinating places, and new adventures with Great Scenic Journeys.