Car Rental Plymouth

Plymouth lies on the south coast of England, enclosed by the sea and two rivers - the Tamar and Plym. One of its important roads is the A38, which travels from Cornwall through the west of England, then north to Nottinghamshire in the East Midlands.

The section of the A38 running through Plymouth is known as the Devon Expressway, taking you from east to west across the north of the city and providing a connection over the Tamar Bridge towards Exeter.

Beyond that, follow the A38 north to join the M5 motorway, a major route that eventually reaches Birmingham in the West Midlands. The A38 also provides access from Plymouth to the edges of Dartmoor National Park, just a few kilometres north.

Car rental in Plymouth provides you with an ideal opportunity to explore the UK’s south west coast and some of the country’s best beaches. The city boasts easy road links to Cornwall’s coastal towns, including St Austell, around an hour’s drive west via the A38 and A390, as well as Penzance, where you can visit Land’s End, the most westerly point of England that overlooks the English Channel and Celtic Sea. Penzance is around 125km from Plymouth along the A38 and A30.

Like many UK cities, Plymouth’s main shopping streets are largely pedestrianized, including around the Drake Circus mall and Plymouth Market. But there are plenty of convenient parking lots around the city, making it easy to leave your rental car and explore on foot.

Drake Circus has its own multi-storey car park, while pay-and-display parking is also available at locations including the Theatre Royal. Closer to the waterfront area, leave your car at Elphinstone car park or the Barbican for easy access to Plymouth Hoe.

Rich in maritime heritage, Plymouth is packed with historical attractions and stunning coastal scenery. With a rental car, you can take in all its highlights before heading further afield to make the most of your time in southwest England.

Step back in time

Many of Plymouth’s star attractions are located around the Barbican, the waterfront area overlooking Sutton Harbour. Based around the city’s old port, today it’s a lively area filled with shops, cafés and restaurants. Many are housed in the Tudor, Jacobean and Georgian buildings that line its cobbled streets.

It’s here that you will find the Mayflower Steps, where the Pilgrims set sail for the New World. While the actual steps no longer exist, there is a granite marker flanked by the UK and American flags, with a small viewing platform overlooking the water. Nearby, the Mayflower Museum includes three floors of exhibitions dedicated to the story of these brave explorers who changed the course of history.

Coastal views

Just a short distance from the Barbican is another of the city’s must-see attractions, Plymouth Hoe. This elevated park allows you to look out over the whole of Plymouth Sound. The best views are from Smeaton’s Tower, a lighthouse that once lit the way for sailors in danger from the Eddystone reef below.

On the east side of Plymouth Hoe lies the Royal Citadel. This historic fortress was built in the 17^th century to protect the English coastline from Dutch invaders. Still in use by the British military today, access is only available via guided tours that must be booked online in advance. See the English Heritage website for more details.

If you’re visiting during the warmer months, be sure to pay a visit to Tinside Lido, an open-air salt-water pool overlooking the sea. Open between May and September, this Art Deco landmark is a scenic spot for cooling down with a swim on a summer’s day.  

Coast and countryside

Plymouth is surrounded by beautiful beaches, and with a rental car you’ll find a day at the seaside is within easy reach. One of the closest bays is Bovisand Beach, a clean, flat stretch of golden sand with calm waters that are ideal for swimming and paddling.

Nearby Wembury Beach is another popular choice for families thanks to its rock pools and shallow waters. If you’re visiting in the winter months, take a scenic stroll along the cliffs to enjoy spectacular views of this protected area of natural beauty.

North of Plymouth is Dartmoor National Park, a vast area of moorland that’s a haven for wildlife. When you’re driving through you might spot the famous Dartmoor ponies roaming the landscape, a true highlight of any visit. But Dartmoor is also home to ancient castle ruins, scenic walks, idyllic villages and much more.

With a rental car, it’s easy to discover all this and more during your visit to Plymouth.