Mount Batten, Mutley Plain & National Marine Aquarium : Attraction of Plymouth

Mount Batten

Mount Batten is a 24-metre-tall outcrop of rock on a 600-metre peninsula at Plymouth Sound in England.

it has been an important defensive point for the old part of Plymouth and its harbour, being on the opposite side of the Cattewater, the channel leading from the old town to the sea. it has had a fort for many centuries.

Between 1917 and 1945, with some gaps, it was a flying boat base for both the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy. Short Sunderland flying boats operated from RAF Mount Batten during WWii taking part in the Battle of the Atlantic. The RAF operated search and rescue launches there with the help of Aircraftman Shaw. The RAF finally left in 1986.

The peninsula is now a marina and centre for sea sports.

Mutley Plain

Mutley Plain is a street in Plymouth, Devon. The main street of Mutley, the term is often applied to the whole area. it was once mainly a shopping area, but in recent years has been transformed by the influx of students attending the ever expanding University of Plymouth. This is evidenced by the proliferation of inexpensive eateries and theme bars and taverns. The area is also home to many of Plymouth’s estate agents.

Recently a community group named “Planet Mutley” has been formed by local residents concerned with the fast paced changes that they are seeing. it seeks to address regeneration issues and tackle the growing number of licensed premises, which many local residents see as a nuisance.

Mutley Plain still has a butchers, greengrocers, charity shops, 2 off licenses, and Somerfield and Co-op supermarkets. The celebrity Samuel Floyd was known to once work at the Somerfield store, though this could be a rumour.

National Marine Aquarium

The National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, England is Europe’s deepest and Britain’s largest aquarium.

it is located in Coxside, next to the Barbican harbour and fishmarket. The modern building houses gigantic aquariums, a lecture hall, a cafe and a shop. The largest tank is ten metres deep and can be viewed from several different angles.