PLYMOUTH
-BRITAIN'S OCEAN CITY-
Join the Blue Recovery Project and explore the amazing marine wildlife and historic coastline that has put Plymouth on the map for centuries!
Come along and explore the wonders of rock pooling on one of our fun, expert guided Taster Sessions.
Plymouth Blue Recovery Beach Days 2023
January: Sunday 21st at Mount Batten, at night!
February: Sunday 26th in Mount Edgecumbe
March: Sunday 12th at Firestone Bay
April: Saturday 22nd in Plymouth
May: Sunday 7th in Plymouth
June: Sunday 4th in Plymouth
July: Sunday 9th in Plymouth
August: Sunday 20th in Plymouth
September: Sunday 3rd in Plymouth
October: Saturday 14th in Plymouth
November: Sunday 19th in Plymouth
December: Friday 8th in Plymouth
Plymouth's Ocean History
Plymouth’s history, like many towns and cities along the South West coast, is strongly connected to the sea. The city’s connection stretches as far back as Prehistory and the infamous Bone Caves have shed light on just how ancient the connection is.
Plymouth’s Bone Caves were first excavated during the 19th Century; in the Autumn of 1886, local naturalist R.N. Worth unearthed and studied the remains of 15 “anatomically-modern humans” found at the Cattedown Bone Caves. The discovery was one of the most important discoveries of early Homo Sapiens in Europe. Areas around Plymouth Sound have had continued settlements dating from the late Iron Age. In fact, Mount Batten was part of an important trading post that predates Roman Britain.
Plymouth Sound has been harbour to the ships of some of the most notable names in British history including Sir Francis Drake setting sail in 1577 from Plymouth for the Pacific, the arrival Catherine of Aragon in 1501 for her first marriage to Henry VIII’s older brother Prince Arthur, the Mayflower in 1620, and Charles Darwin and HMS Beagle in 1831 before leaving for its voyage around the world.
The Sound has also given a unique opportunity for the advancement of marine biology as the home of The Marine Biological Association (MBA). Therefore, between the “celebrity” it has hosted and the centuries-old connection of people and the sea, it seems only fitting that Plymouth Sound has become the UK’s first National Marine Park.
Plymouth’s history, like much of the UK’s South West coast, is strongly connected to the sea. The city’s connection stretches as far back as Prehistory and the infamous Bone Caves have shed light on just how ancient the connection is.
Plymouth’s Bone Caves were first excavated during the 19th Century. In the Autumn of 1886, local naturalist R.N. Worth studied the remains of 15 “anatomically-modern humans” found at the Cattedown Caves. The discovery was one of the most important discoveries of early Homo Sapiens in Europe.
Areas around Plymouth Sound have had continued settlement, dating from as early as the late Iron Age. In fact, the area of what is now Mount Batten was once part of an important trading hub, predating Roman Britain, exporting tin, iron and copper.
Plymouth Sound has been the harbour for some of the most notable names in British history. It has moored the ships of: Catherine of Aragon in 1501, arriving for her first marriage to Henry VIII’s older brother Prince Arthur; Sir Francis Drake setting sail in 1577 from Plymouth for the Pacific; the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower in 1620; and Charles Darwin boarded the HMS Beagle in 1831 before leaving for its voyage around the world.
The Sound was also given a unique opportunity in 1884 when it became home to the newly founded The Marine Biological Association.
From the “celebrity” it has hosted to its millennia-old history, it seems only fitting that Plymouth Sound has become the UK’s first National Marine Park – making history once again.
Mount Batten Beach
Mount Batten is awash with history. From early Maritime trade, earthwork fortification by Elizabeth I, Charles I’s Royalist forces and the English Civil War, to the present as the home of the spectacular Mount Batten Watersports & Activities Centre.
Mount Batten is an amazing place to explore and learn just how much wildlife can be found on our local beaches and in rock pools!
Mount Batten Beach
Mount Batten is awash with history. From early Maritime trade, earthwork fortification by Elizabeth I, Charles I’s Royalist forces and the English Civil War, to the present as the home of the spectacular Mount Batten Watersports & Activities Centre.
Mount Batten is an amazing place to explore and learn just how much wildlife can be found on our local beaches and in rock pools!
Firestone Bay
Firestone Bay has a history shaped by military and naval development. Firestone Bay Blockhouse was built in 1537-39 by Henry VIII as part of a network of coastal defences against possible French invasion. It was later remodelled in the 19th Century with the building of Royal William Yard as Plymouth’s central naval victualling premise.
Firestone Bay offers a great opportunity to explore the amazing wildlife that can be found in rock pools!
Firestone Bay
Firestone Bay has a history shaped by military and naval development. Firestone Bay Blockhouse was built in 1537-39 by Henry VIII as part of a network of coastal defences against possible French invasion. It was later remodelled in the 19th Century with the building of Royal William Yard as Plymouth’s central naval victualling premise.
Firestone Bay offers a great opportunity to explore the amazing wildlife found in rock pools!
The Marine Biological Association
Founded in 1884 by the Royal Society, the MBA has been at the forefront of marine biological research for over a century.
The Marine Biological Association (MBA)
Since 1884, the MBA has worked as a voice for the ocean and in the interests of the global marine biological community. The MBA is a learned society of scientists and members in 35 countries, across 5 continents; with royal charter status for its world-leading role in marine biology research. Its in-depth scientific research into the interconnected marine environment is carried out from its prestigious laboratory HQ in Plymouth.
The MBA’s advanced knowledge has contributed to the work of several Nobel Laureates and over 170 Fellows of the Royal Society.
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