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 Automobiles through the ages |
Cornwall's Motor Museum, Old Mill St. Stephen Plymouth, Cornwall PL26 7RX United Kingdom +44 1726 82 3092 |
This unique motor museum offers exhibitions of over fifty vehicles, dating from 1904 to classic cars of the sixties, such as Bentley and Aston Martin. Bikers will be familiar with the Vincent and BSA. Here you can see automobilia through the ages, and relive a lifestyle through excellent videos. If you have ever wanted a carburettor for your beloved Riley, a wheel hub cap for a nineteen twenties Morgan, or just wondered what a piston engine looks like, there are parts for sale in the permanent auto jumble. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Britain's last castle |
Drewsteignton Plymouth, Devon EX6 6PB United Kingdom +44 1647 433 306 http://www.nationaltrust.org.u... |
This extraordinary castle of granite and oak was built by Sir Edward Lutyens between 1910 and 1930 and is thought to be the last castle built in England. You can get a fascinating glimpse of Victorian life both above and below stairs, visiting the dining room, drawing room and kitchen. The house is surrounded by gardens including a formal terraced garden and a huge circular croquet lawn, which you can use by hiring equipment from the reception area. There are scenic walks along the 300 foot gorge and down to the nearby River Teign. There is also a Restaurant and Tea Rooms for refreshments, a children's play area, shop and plant sales, and facilities for the disabled. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Andrew Whitman |
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Stewpond and sailing barge |
St Dominick Plymouth, Cornwall PL12 6TA United Kingdom +44 1579 35 1346 |
Built concurrently with the medieval house are the stewpond and the lovely domed dovecote - now picturesque garden features, once important sources of food. A walk down the valley leads to the quay, a busy river port in Victorian times. A museum here shows the vital role the Tamar River played in the local economy. The restored Tamar sailing barge, Shamrock, is moored here, and local arts and crafts are on sale in the Quay Gallery. From here it's an easy walk to the old estate corn mill, which is once again in working order. Admission:Garden and Mill: adult GBP5, child GBP2.50, family GBP7.50. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Smugglers' literary booty |
Jamaica Inn Bolventor Plymouth, Cornwall PL15 7TS United Kingdom +44 1566 8 6838 |
Daphne Du Maurier, the famous novelist, stayed at Jamaica Inn in 1930, where the eerie atmosphere of Bodmin Moor stirred her imagination to write one of her most famous books. You can relive a moment of her life, as the memorial room here contains her Sheraton writing desk and other memorabilia, including her favourite sweets, Glacier Mints, that she sucked as she created her novels. The romantic atmosphere of the mysterious moors are is also recreated in fascinating tableaux, with striking audio visual effects. You'll meet her heroine, Mary Yellan, and the wicked vicar, Demon Davey in authentic costume, as well as seeing the best collection of smuggling artefacts in the country. Admission: adult £2.50, OAP/student £2, child £1, family £6.95. Combined ticket with Mr. Potter's Museum: adult £4, OAP/student £3, Child £2, family £9.95 Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Robin Lovell |
 Photo: Rodney McKellip |
 Display of historic costumes |
43 High Street Plymouth, Devon TQ9 5NP United Kingdom +44 1803 86 3168 |
The building that houses this interesting collection is itself of great historic interest. You can find it opposite the Civic Hall in the centre of the town, on the main thoroughfare in Totnes. The collection of costumes consists of clothes and accessories from the mid 18th century. The displays are changed every season to show the whole collection, so it is a place you can visit time after time and always see something new. The museum is closed during the winter and has no telephone, but information can be obtained from Totnes Tourist Information at the number given. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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The golden age of steam |
Dingle's Steam Village Milford Plymouth, Devon PL16 0AT United Kingdom +44 1566 78 3425 http://www.dinglesteam.co.uk |
At Dingle's you can still hear and smell the power of steam. Here you will find the best steam heritage collection in the country, where you can see working displays of antiquated machinery, steam rollers and traction engines. There are vintage road vehicles, classic cars, tractors, motor bikes, and a fire engine. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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From desert to jungle - in Cornwall |
Bodelva Plymouth, Cornwall PL24 2SG United Kingdom +44 1726 81 1911 http://www.edenproject.com |
In a 50-metre deep crater, the size of 35 football pitches, are two gigantic geodesic conservatories—the largest in the world. Inside is the most ambitious environmental project that the UK has ever seen. Each biome is a wealth of different climate zones, from arid desert to steamy jungle, complete with thriving plants. Their mission is to promote the understanding of the vital relationship between people and plants and help us understand how to manage our resources responsibly. They use many fascinating displays to achieve this. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Dion Crannitch  |
 Photo: Dion Crannitch |
 Photo: BRENDA HARE |
 Photo: almostailsa |
 Photo: V Wragg |
 Photo: Rowan Castle |
 Photo: winningpostimages |
 Photo: Anika Rothe |
 Photo: Jonathan Tweed |
 Photo: twjhowell@btinternet.com |
 Photo: Derek Chaplin |
 Photo: Gary Crutchley |
 Photo: Robert MacDonald |
 Photo: Peej Harding |
 Photo: ZzzZs/Zsolt Villas |
 Photo: jeremybeddows |
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Jump back to the 16th century |
32 New Street The Barbican Plymouth, Devon PL1 2NA United Kingdom +44 1752 30 4774 |
The Elizabethan House was built in 1580. Once the home of a merchant or sea captain, the house has been carefully restored, with everything as it would have been at the time of Queen Elizabeth I. It was constructed on three floors; a shipping company used two rooms on the ground floor, and the merchant seafarer occupied the floors above. Period features include low wooden beams, a spiral staircase, windows with tiny panes, an inglenook oven, and original floors and furniture. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Ancient hamlet |
Cawsand Plymouth, Cornwall PL10 1LE United Kingdom +44 1752 84 4846 |
This ancient hamlet near Saltash has always been the site of a crossing of a tributary of the Lyhner River on the road between Trematon and St Stephen's. In early medieval times Forder was a thriving industrial town with industries such as market gardening, quarrying, lime burning, fulling and flour milling. The water mill where the medieval tenants of Trematon Manor brought their grain to be milled can still be seen. This is now a Conservation Area and has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for the past hundred years. Near the hamlet can be found Trematon Castle, which has wonderful panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Stuart Marshall |
 Photo: craig_bri |
 Photo: Steve Turner |
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Fascinating load of rubbish |
The Ride Plymouth, Devon PL97JA United Kingdom +44 1752 48 2392 http://www.tghvc.co.uk |
This is an educational exhibition, but you'd never realise that if you went by the excited clamour of children enjoying themselves. This is the UK's first leisure-based sustainable waste education exhibition and well worth seeing. But not just seeing, as this is a fully interactive establishment. There's a giant hamster wheel which you must turn fast enough to fill and empty a waste bin equivalent to a week's worth of the half a tonnes of rubbish we each produce every year. All the challenges on the ground floor are just as noisy and exhausting, but great fun. The first floor has many arcade style games which will keep the most active visitors busy for ages. There are computers, a video room and the Riverside Cafe for when your energy runs out. Don't miss this unusual museum. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Jimmy Jiji |
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All you ever wanted to know about Dartmoor |
The Square Plymouth, Devon PL20 6QF United Kingdom +44 1822 890414 http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk |
Princetown, the site of one of England's most notorious prisons, built by French prisoners during the Napoleonic wars, is at the centre of Dartmoor. The High Moorland Centre is housed in the old prison officers' mess. This centre provides a mine of information about the moor and its activities, with many of the exhibits designed to enable people with a sensory handicap to gain full benefit from the centre. There is also a regular exhibition programme with the art and photography of many local people exhibited. Souvenirs and hiking gear are also for sale. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Literary coaching inn |
Bolventor Plymouth, Cornwall Pl15 7TS United Kingdom +44 1566 8 6250 http://www.jamaicainn.co.uk |
Long ago, coaching inns were like today's service stations, a place to get rest and refreshments on your journey, to change horses and maybe to sleep. The horses are gone, but this famous inn still fulfills the service it has done for hundreds of years. It stands high on mysterious Bodmin Moor and offers old fashioned cobbled courtyards, ceilings with authentic beams, a roaring fire and a warm welcome. Daphne Du Maurier made it famous with her novel about smuggling and her museum can also be visited here. But the facilities have greatly advanced since the days of smugglers and the inn can cater for up to 200 people, from buffets to full waitress service or disco parties. A trip to Cornwall wouldn't be complete without a visit to Jamaica Inn. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Five miles of scenery via narrow gauge |
St Thomas Road Newport Plymouth, Cornwall PL15 8DA United Kingdom +44 1566 77 5665 http://www.launcestonsr.co.uk/ |
This railway uses locomotives built in the 1880s and 90s by the Hunslett Engine Company of Leeds, and links Launceston with Newmills. Ride in open or closed carriages and drink in the marvellous views. In Launceston Station you can browse in the Transport Museum or Railway workshop or buy a gift or a book to take home. Nearby strolls include the ancient Priory ruins, the medieval Priors Bridge. Don't forget to visit the walled town of Launceston, and see where William the Conqueror's half brother built a Norman Castle. Cream teas and other refreshments are available at the Railway Buffet. Disabled visitors can ride on the trains but there is no toilet which will accommodate wheelchairs. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Encapsulating Plymouth's history |
33 St. Andrews Street Plymouth, Devon PL1 2AX United Kingdom +44 1752 30 4381 / +44 1752 30 4774 |
Close to the historic Barbican is a four-storey Jacobean town house, now an enchanting museum which encapsulates the history of Plymouth. The Merchant's House was built in 1608 for one William Parker, a privateer, friend of Sir Francis Drake, and Lord Mayor of Plymouth. Each floor of the house tells a different story. Discover how the Great Western Railway and Isambard Kingdom Brunel's railway bridge were constructed. See a Victorian schoolroom, or learn about the growth of trade in the Tailor Room. Social inequalities are vividly portrayed in the Rich Man's Room, and you can share the experiences of local people during the Blitz, and the rebuilding of their devastated city. The top floor is given over to Park Pharmacy Trust, a fascinating time capsule of pharmaceutical history. Here you can see carboys in amber, yellow, red and blue (the apothecary's elements), herbal remedies, shampoos, preparations and perfumes. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Richard and Gill Long |
 Photo: Rob Taylor |
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Who killed Cock Robin? |
Jamaica Inn Bolventor Plymouth, Cornwall PL15 7TS United Kingdom +44 1566 8 6838 |
You would be forgiven for thinking that you'd strayed into Beatrix Potter's museum here, as the exhibits look just like her famous literary characters. But Walter Potter was a renowned Victorian taxidermist, and this museum has over 10,000 eccentric exhibits that have to be seen to be believed. Here you'll find a kitten's teaparty, with more than a dozen real stuffed kittens on tiny chairs, delicately sipping tea or politely offering each other plates of cakes. There are rabbits learning to read and, by scrutinising an intricate tableau, complete witha tiny coffin in a graveyard, you may even find out who killed Cock Robin. Depending on your point of view you will find this unique museum either quaint and marvellous or queer and macabre. Admission: adult £2.50, OAP/student £2, child £1, family £6.95. A combination ticket with Daphne Du Maurier's Smugglers can be purchased at: adult £4, OAP/student £3, child £2, family £9.95 Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Working water wheel |
Museum Courtyard 3 West St Plymouth, Devon EX20 1HQ United Kingdom +44 1837 52295 http://www.museumofdartmoorlif... |
You will find this fascinating museum in the small town of Okehampton, near the distinguished town hall. The museum itself is housed in an interesting old mill building and still has a working water wheel. It has a series of changing exhibitions which show how people have lived and worked on Dartmoor for hundreds of years. There are craft displays, a shop and a tea room for refreshments. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Eccentric scientist's extravaganza |
Sharpitor Plymouth, Devon TQ8 8LW United Kingdom +44 1548 84 2893 |
Taking its name from the scientist, Otto Overbeck, who lived here between 1928 and 1937, this elegant Edwardian house is now a museum containing Overbeck's eclectic collections of shells, photographs, drawings, model boats, toys, curios, and displays on local maritime history and wildlife. There is also a secret room especially for children, with dolls, tin soldiers and other toys, plus a ghost hunt.Outside there is a lovely subtropical garden with many rare plants, trees and shrubs. Fromhere there are spectacular views over the estuary creeks and beaches to Salcombe, which looks like a toytown in the distance. Wheelchair access (not garden): Ground floor, shop & tea-room, accessible by ramp into museum. Braille guides to museum for adults and children; also Braille ghost hunt certificate. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Progress and tradition successfully united |
Drake Circus Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AJ United Kingdom +44 1752 304 774 http://www.plymouthmuseum.gov.uk |
Plymouth City Museum is centrally located, a few steps from Drake Circus. This traditional but innovative museum hosts prime historical research projects, workshops, lectures and evening and lunchtime concerts, mainly in the winter months. It presents touring displays of exceptionally high quality and striking exhibitions which focus on important events in social history. Permanent displays feature Natural History, art and artefacts, including Chinese and English Ceramics. There is something for everyone in this fascinating museum, from fun lovers to connoisseurs. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Sensory history of Plymouth |
The Hoe Plymouth, Devon PL1 2PA United Kingdom +44 1752 60 0608 |
This is the quickest and most interesting way to learn about the two most important periods of Plymouth's history: the Elizabethan era and the Second World War. Step back in time with the aid of high-tech gizmos, to the sights, sounds and even smells of history. You can travel with Drake, Cook and the Pilgrim Fathers on their voyages; see the troops gather to protect Plymouth in the Civil War siege and witness the destruction the Luftwaffe wrought upon the city. In the observation gallery you can use TV cameras and zoom in on ships in the Sound, or use the computers to compile naval data. The gift shop is a great lure to children and there is also a small café. All in all, a fascinating experience. Admission: adult £4, OAP £3.40, child £2.60, family £12.30 Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Jason Evans |
 Photo: Four- Eyes |
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Second oldest house |
Finewell Street Plymouth, Devon PL1 2AD United Kingdom +44 17 5266 1414 |
The second oldest house in Plymouth, it was built by Thomas Yogge in 1498. It is a fine limestone building with granite door and window frames, and a galleried courtyard. In the past it has been a dwelling house, a warehouse, a wine store and a bacon factory. But it has now belonged to St Andrew's Church since the 1920s. It is used with the adjoining Abbey Hall to accommodate their youth groups, and is let out to community groups. The church lets out the bottom floor to Tanners, one of Plymouth's highest quality restarants. The building also houses the famous 28 foot Plymouth Tapestry, with its 2,250,000 stitches, some of which were added by royalty. It took four and a half years to complete, and is well worth a visit. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Lucy Turnbull |
 Photo: martinhunt |
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Leap from 16th century to Victorian times |
70 Fore Street Plymouth, Devon TQ9 5RU United Kingdom +44 1803 86 3821 |
This 16th century merchant's house in Totnes has been beautifully preserved and used to display an assortment of historical artifacts, from a range of bygone days. The bedroom, courtyard and garden are all from Tudor times, the original period of the house. From another era there is a splendid Victorian nursery, complete with children's games of the era. There is also a memorabilia room dedicated to Charles Babbage and various period costumes on display. Saturday visits are by appointment only. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Europe's largest painting in progress |
27 New Street Barbican Plymouth, Devon PL1 2NB United Kingdom +44 1752 30 1022 |
This fascinating museum, in one of the oldest and largest buildings on the Barbican, shows the history of fishing from the ancient port of Plymouth. It has pictures of the craft in days gone by, as well as videos and educational aids. There are lots of model fishing boats, two touch tanks and examples of all the equipment old fashioned fishing boats carried. If sharks are your thing you will love getting close up to the life-size models, especially that of Billy, who was the largest basking shark in the world at more than 13 metres long. Review © 2007, Wcities |