The 13 best public squares in Plymouth

Lovely park with a lot of history and a great place to take your dogs for a walk too. There's plenty of nearby parking for abled and disabled drivers and a few places to stop for an ice cream or a quick bite to eat, but if you prefer, you could take a picnic and sit on one of the many to enjoy the views.

Lovely area for a walk / Picnic. Close to the city centre and walking distance from the Barbican. Great view of the shipping channels into Plymouth.

Absolutely beautiful and one of my favourite places to spend time. You can see the sea, the boats, Drake's Island, and on a clear day all the way out to the horizon. It’s such a peaceful spot, whether you’re walking, sitting with a coffee, or just taking in the fresh air. The park itself is very clean and well kept, with plenty of space for everyone. Families, couples, runners, and dog walkers all share the area in a really friendly way. There’s always something going on. Sometimes live music, small events, or just people enjoying the sunshine. The lighthouse adds so much character, and it’s great for photos too. It’s also close to cafés, ice cream stands, and restaurants, so you can easily spend a whole afternoon there. The atmosphere is relaxing, and it feels safe even in the evening when the lights come on along the seafront. If you’re visiting Plymouth or even if you live nearby, Hoe Park is definitely a must see. It’s one of those places that makes you slow down and appreciate how beautiful this city really is.

Amazing park with beautiful views! Its definitely our favorite park in the UK! Strongly recommended to walk and enjoy with stunning views.

Lived here for years and this was the first time we went up the lighthouse, it was very interesting and much more to see. The views were spectacular you could see for miles from the top.

Five stars, as my wife has a blue badge, and there is free parking right in the middle of it all on the Hoe Promenade. It's a great place anyway, but all on street parking without a blue badge will cost you. We had no distance to walk really, and got some magnificent views of all the yachts and naval ships. There were lots of people taking advantage of the Tinside Lido down below. Our day there was on a beautiful sunny September afternoon which obviously makes everything so much better. We managed to fit in seeing the Mayflower Steps Memorial & Around the Barbican area too. Well worth the visit if you are in the area.

I went there to pay my respects to all the fallen heroes. My uncle being one that unfortunately I never met. A lovely view around port where you can also see the ferries in the dock.

A Perfect Family Spot by the Sea. Located on the picturesque Hoe slopes to the right overlooking Plymouth Sound, West Hoe Park is a delightful spot for families with young children. The compact play area features climbing frames (my little daughters favourite), merry-go-round, swings and more, while larger green space offer seasonal fun with crazy golf, a bouncy castle, and miniature railway rides (admission fee applies). Ocean City Coffee & Ice Cream shop is conveniently located at this park, making it an ideal spot for parents to relax and unwind while enjoying stunning sea views. For energetic little players, there are also tennis courts—my daughter absolutely loves tennis! The park provides public toilet facilities. Only a 4* due to seasonal fun however a charming stop for fresh air or picnics.

West Hoe Park is a true gem in Plymouth! With its stunning panoramic views overlooking Plymouth Sound, it's the perfect spot to unwind and soak in the beauty of the coastline. The park offers something for everyone, making it a fantastic destination for families, couples, and individuals alike. The large, open grassy areas are ideal for picnics, games, or simply lounging in the sun. For those with children, the updated play area is a real treat, featuring a variety of equipment including a wheelchair roundabout and accessible swing, ensuring fun for kids of all abilities. The miniature railway is always a hit, offering delightful rides with lovely views. Beyond the open spaces and play areas, West Hoe Park boasts a charming and relaxed atmosphere. It's a place where you can easily spend a few hours enjoying the fresh sea air and the peaceful surroundings. The pathways are well-maintained and accessible, making it easy to stroll around and take in the sights. Whether you're a local or a visitor to Plymouth, West Hoe Park is a must-visit. It's a wonderful place to create happy memories and appreciate the natural beauty of this coastal city. Highly recommended!

Nice little park with a good crazy golf course. The onsite cafe is good value

West How Park – Review To enjoy the rides inside, you need to purchase tokens – £2 per token. There are small amusement rides like bumper cars, bumper boats, a mini excavator for scooping gravel, and a small bouncy trampoline. It’s suitable for children around 3 to 5 years old. My 4-year-old son had a great time! However, there was only one staff member selling tokens, so for rides like the bumper boats, you need to get on and unhook the boat yourself. That said, because it wasn’t crowded and there were no queues, three of us had lots of fun playing freely in the bumper car area. And no entrance fee is needed there ! Next to it, there’s a small public playground. Outside, on the grassy area, there’s a mini train ride and a large inflatable bouncy area. However, these require tokens from a different operator, and they’re also £2 per token. There’s a small café nearby where you can buy ice cream, hot dogs, and other snacks. Overall, it’s a great place for young kids around 3–4 years old! We had a lovely time. Just make sure to check their closing times – we missed it at the first day as it had already closed. On the second day, we went earlier and got to enjoy everything!

Great place to go with the kids. Gus honey bun train is fantastic for the little ones. This train is historical has been there for over 40 years. Also located in the park is an adventure playground. Tokens need to be purchased for most of the rides and the trampolines located with in it. Great field area for picnics and also has a cafe and ice cream stand near by.

Amazing views, historical gem and places to eat, drink and public toilets available. A children's park and huge grass areas to enjoy. Golf and bowls available. Boat excursions ran from the area and places of interest to visit. Beautiful scenery and area I love.

Can be really busy in nice weather during the Summer, NOTE dogs must be on a short lead and in total control by the owner, plain clothes enforcement officers regularly patrol this park and they will fine people who ignore this.

My kids love sand area but on holidays, the toilets are not available.

Nice park for children. Variety of equipment for different ages. Has a small splash park but was not all working which is a shame. Cafe and toilets. Plenty of walking areas. Small golf course. Free parking. Regular buses.

Beautiful big park, nice walks, nature at its best , lots to see and do, lovely for walking your dogs or just having a picnic, lots of open spaces, great for the children.

Colourful parkrun on a sunny Saturday morning. Lovely lawns to relax on in peace after a run or play.

Lovely park good for a long walk, jog or bike ride. Lots of green space and things to discover. Has a nice play park set on grass and soft rubber flooring, with small aqua park area and a few trees offering shade.

Lovely place to bring the kids as there is a great play and picnic area. The life ce tre is situated within Central Park, it's a mecca for dog walkers. There is a golf course here as well as footy golf too. There is a Meadow cafe and a small refreshments hut by the golf course. Central park is huge in size as it was a former zoo back in its heyday. My only criticism is that Plymouth City council parks division never seem to come and collect the litter from the bins everyday and the overspill of litter makes the park look untidy. PCC get a grip and look after our green spaces.

Fantastic park. My young boys love the skate park, splash pad and adventure play park. Great for dog walks. Free to park too. Awesome 😁👍🏼

A delightful grown up 'nook' in which to rest and refresh your enthusiasm. Buy a pastie and sit in peace to enjoy it here. Stone benches to sit at for your picnic and shade from the Summer sun, though it is a bit cold in Winter. Access is by a discrete door from the top or off New Street just back from the harbour side. Toilets are on the Quay. This is a small garden in the Elizabethan style so nothing much for children to do if bored. Set over several levels there are steps to contend with so not really wheelchair accessible.

This is a free hidden peaceful garden designed to look Elizabethan. There is a small number steps involved but there are benches when you get there.

Beautiful experience for around half and hours without reading . Just to be . While the history that palce it is very interested so these couple information board will bring your attention.

Really nice spot!! Lived in Plymouth my whole life and have never been to these gardens before. Worth a visit if you are near by.

Absolutely GORGEOUS little find. I've lived here for 4.5 years now (after visiting for 27) and have never visited until yesterday. It's like a magical secret that Plymouth has kept well hidden for the sake of preservation and better still; mystery. It took my breath away when I first saw it. Due to its secretive nature it remains clean and unspoilt by those who may not appreciate historic hide aways such as this. The little arch way makes for a romantic kiss from your partner underneath it and welcomes you to explore the carvings etched into the walls (see image 2 of the ship). It backs onto some of the most historic buildings in Plymouth on the famous Barbican which literally means 'fortitude' and to know surprise given how well everything is protected and preserved. Highly recommend visiting this mysterious and yet welcoming suntrap of a garden where you will learn of its and the surrounding areas history!

A hidden garden situated between Castle Street and New Street on Plymouth Barbican. You may find it difficult to find, which means the small garden is never busy with too many people. From the North entrance from New Street you approach the lower garden through a 'tunnel' under the houses, the long flight of steps in front of you (making wheelchair access impossible), has a list of Mayflower (1620) passengers on the wall. At the top of the stairs is one of two upper gardens with a pond and fountain dividing the two, this first garden is dominated by a mature Black Mulberry tree with a small shelter with Fig trees on either side. Passing the fountain the second upper garden has a parterre with raised beds on it's Eastern end that have 'Old English' type roses. To gain access from South entrance in Castle Street use footpath between houses and go down stairs (no wheelchair access) to pond and fountain.

Born and bred in Plymouth and only just visited . Lovely tranquil gardens with some nice seating areas, especially on a really hot day we could sit in the shade and enjoy the scenery

I really love this park. It's not too big yet perfect for evening walks. You meet lovely dogs and owners here. There are few benches to sit down too. Children can play in the playground or run around on the grass. There is a view towards the sea on the horizon which is visible during the warmer months.

The park is managed by Plymouth City Council and gives views over a large area, there is a memorial dedicated to a battle during the English Civil War (The Sabbath Day Fight) in the park. As with most of Plymouth's parks Freedom Park had a plant nursery with multiple greenhouses (all now long demolished) that was situated just to the North West of the cafe.

Great place to walk a dog, as long as the picnickers don't mind getting interrupted every now and again. There's a nice group of respectful dog owners. The café is nice. Breakfast bap is excellent value.

I have some here a few times throughout the summer and I've always had a good experience as it's mostly families or dogwalkers about. It is usually quite clean. There have been a few dodgy people about every so often but that's like most parks in the city.

A great park with beautiful views over The Sound. Lots of shade. A great place to meet and picnic.

It is a lovely park to sit for relaxation and a quiet time. Safe play ground for kids and animal friendly space. I actually enjoy the basket court where I play to relieve stress and exercise

Fantastic historical park a good place to sit and chill

A nice quiet place to visit to sit and relax on the many benches around the park, there is a couple of football pitches and a park play area for kids to play in as well as a cafe, is also a good place to walk your dog if you have one or exercise if that's your thing.

Absolutely love this park so beautiful happy memories too. Not only have i took my daughter here and also grandchildren but my husband and i go for walks here too. My favourite spot is under the cherry tree by the swings.

Beautiful, spacious, colourful, plenty to do and see, they have a cafe , toilets, get take a way hot drinks etc, a place to visit whatever age you are.

As far as parks go, its spacious, has a ball game court, a cafe a park for the kids and paths all around.

Lovely park with a good flat circular route.

Victoria park is a beautiful place. It's so picturesque in the summer and a wonderful place to sit and watch the wildlife and to see the children play

Victoria Park is actually a filled in saltwater creek that during prolonged heavy rain is susceptible to flooding. The park has a children's playground at it's centre, with a small cafe nearby. Along with many of Plymouth's parks there was a small plant nursery (long demolished) that was in the area behind the cafe. In the near past the area at the Eastern end (near the railway viaduct) was the site of a Public Bowling Green.

an amazing park with good activities for kids: sand pit, castle looking slide and climbing and great for cycling and scooting. other than lacking cafe facilities i would definitely say that is better than Victoria park and even Central park. we spent 4h there and my 6y old with a friend never stopped:)

Really lovely park. Great for all ages as they have baby swings and normal swings, slides, climbing frames, sand pits, benches, plus a huge field and basketball court. Can walk dogs on the field. Great place to take a picnic too or a ball/bike etc. Roadside parking. Easily accessible. Downside is I'm not sure there's any toilets nearby- i didn't see any.

This area of Plymouth is just over two miles East from the heart of the city in St Jude’s and is a beautifully peaceful and tranquil park with Sparkwell located to the North. There are a generous amount of trees comprising mostly of Ash and walking towards Cleveland Road they formed a beautiful triumphal cathedral arch. There are spaces for relaxation and recreation and a comprehensive playground for children. There are tennis and bowls facilities. Be careful where you park your car if you don’t want it covered in sap or resin. One side of the park is a residential only cul-de-sac with visitors not permitted to park between 10 and 11 am. The other side is unrestricted. All in all a tranquil reservoir of beauty in the heart of a city

Very popular today. Fabulous range of equipment and well maintained. Very child safe. We had a lovely picnic their for Frankie's birthday.

Part of plymouth I don't know well. Walked from here along the railway track next to the river Plym. Very good for dogs and a nice walk

Great park fun for all children

Beautiful park lovely cafe

Great place for an easy walk with the kids who loved playing in the river with the dog! If you find any rope swings...make sure they can take your weight!!

Perfect for a dog walk, especially, if you're driving. Good for dogs that like to explore wooded areas. A choice of circular routes, modern bridges and done up paths. Stream to wash those muddy paws. A few nice benches. Too few litter bins, but one in the car park.

Often walking there when a further afield walk not possible. It is a lovely valley hidden just west of North Prospect (Swilley). Lots of mature and majestic trees. Two delightful trickling streams. Lots of dog walkers or children and their accompanying adults, all in wellingtons. A primary and well surfaced path takes you thru the heart of the valley. Alternative and sometimes more muddy and stony paths allows a fuller circumnavigation. Possible fully walking over a kilometre. Don't miss it, as its a hidden delight.

Gorgeous walk, beautiful scenery and the dogs loved it.

OK little walk for kids and dogs, no designated parking to my knowledge but parked on the street next to here.

Overly woods. Lots of different paths to wander around. Always spend a good couple of hours here. Lovely and quiet during the day

Good walks, stop, listen to the birds watch the squirrels try to count all the different greens around you. If you like trees this is a good place.

A lovely park, well maintained and looking very wintry when I walked through. A definite dog walkers paradise, having passed loads. Most dog owners were friendly and happy to stop and chat and talk about their canine Buddies. The cafe was busy, clean and warm. There were several of us and all our food was delivered hot and tasty by friendly staff. I will definitely return. Lovely place and a lovely park which has life again after a lot of planning and hard work

Nice park for a walk during the day Cafe is lovely for a bite to eat and a drink A couple of people who let their dogs run riot The wildlife is lovely when respected grey squirrels especially and the pigeons When the flowers are out is definitely worth a look around

Amazing park, with huge free space for picnics or to just sit for fresh air. The park has play space for children and climbing frames. Be sure to take nuts and birds seed for the squirrels and pigeons. There's also a small coffee for cold and hot drinks and snacks. The garden is lovely with benches to sit down, it's a brilliant space to take dogs for a walk, with gorgeous views

Great park for dog walks, chilling in the sun or taking kids in the play area. athey host quite a few events for the community, yoga in the park each Sunday through summer, there is a kids theatre with great performances from babies to teenagers. Tennis courts and lots of floowers and green spaces to enjoy with a book

I walk everywhere and Plymouth is my City....so its strange that I don't visit this park more. When I was a young man earning my living as an Engineer in Devonport dockyard I used to come to the park to eat my lunch and chill out. How it's changed! And for the better. I get the feeling it is now a community park with groups of girls with the babies, elderly folk mingling, sharing stories and groups playing boules. It is well kept, has bags of enclosed play areas for young children and the older more adventurous ones. Beautiful shrubs and sensory gardens are abundant and it has a real sense and buzz of calmness happiness and community spirit with the smart cafe seeming to be the hub ...post lockdown I think this park can and will play a major role in the healing process of the past years terrible and unforgettable pandemic. I didn't have time for a coffee, but I will be back!!

Such a lovely park. Some great features like a sensory garden and allotment areas for public use, plus a couple of playgrounds for the kids, a tennis court and places to play football. It's beautiful even on a dreary day!

Great park to take the kids. Playgrounds are great for toddlers up to bigger kids. Some lovely little gardens around the park and a really pretty sensory garden for the little ones. Absolutely recommended.

Looking extremely run down broken paths, unsafe bridges and dirty water. Dog and human faeces everywhere over crowded with some unpleasant people, path's desperately in need of repair and very overgrown not a nice place at all. I can’t believe some of the photos showing how nice Ham Woods used to look like sadly they are dated and old don’t be fooled by them.

Serene region within the city where one can relax and pounder about the life.

My play ground . Ham house has so much history attached to it . Beautiful house well kept . Just a pity they feel the need to drive their cars . The drivers have no consideration for the public walking their dogs .

Beautiful spot for a walk with the family. Lots of nice walker's too with a very friendly atmosphere. This would be a 5 star if it wasn't for the dog fouling around this woods. Sadly this place has been let down due to bad dog owners.

A beautiful woodland walk, all but on our doorstep. Had a lovely walk there today.

Welcome to ham woods. This is a lovely woodland area with a stream running through it. You can often hear parrots and other birds and wildlife in the woods and great to get children interested in wildlife. There is a little waterfall and pool area hidden in the woods so go find it 😀. The downsides are there are no toilets on site neither is there any designated disabled parking although lots of road side parking available. Limited to wheelchair users except for a few parts which are tarmac/concrete. This reflects to my 3 star rating.

Beautiful place for a walk, maps on site, free parking and signposts.

Lovely for a leisurely walk around. A few opportunities for refreshments. Make use of them.

Great to walk around or get in to paddle board. There are a few launch points, one next the pub on the water. Next to it is a children’s park. At the end where it meets radford park is a few scuttled shipwrecks and a tower to explore. Quite sheltered from the plym so good location if water conditions are a little bit too much on the plym Or around the breakwater.

Great place for water sports when the tide is right. Nice and sheltered so not too windy.

Love Hooe Lake, it's beautiful!

Cool lake, but half the time it's a muddy puddle, and trash and oil from out gets dragged in which is pretty bad. Its right next to a sewage processing unit as well so swimming in it would be awful. Good sights and nice area though

I grow up in Turnchapel & Hooe. A beautiful place to be raised, and a friendly welcoming everywhere you go.

Quiet spot to enjoy from your boat lovely views from lake to fields of cows and sheep grazing on the hillsides.