Weston Mill : Attraction of Plymouth

Weston Mill is a district in the ward of Ham, which is part of the City of Plymouth, England. it shares borders with the Camel’s Head, King’s Tamerton, North Prospect and St. Budeaux districts of Plymouth.

General

The area derived its name from being the mill belonging to the tithing of Weston Peverel, otherwise known as the parish of Pennycross. it was possibly the oldest mill in the Plymouth area as a deed of Geoffrey de Weston mentions Ham as being on the west side of the road from the mill.

it is situated close to the major naval base Devonport Dockyard, and the majority of the housing in the area is privately owned. The A3064 ‘St. Budeaux Bypass’ also runs through the area.

Together with King’s Tamerton the area’s population in the 2001 census, was 4,647, of which 50.2 per cent were male and 49.8 per cent were female.
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University of Plymouth : Attraction of Plymouth

The University of Plymouth is the largest university in the southwest of England, with over 30,000 students (the 4th UK university regarding the highest numbers of students), almost 3,000 staff, and an annual income of around £110 million.

Undergraduate and postgraduate programmes are taught at campuses in Plymouth, Exeter, Exmouth, and Seale-Hayne near Newton Abbot. However the university’s current policy is to centralise its campus activities in Plymouth, with the Exeter campus scheduled to close at the end of the 2004/05 academic year. An exception to this trend is the university’s extensive activities in education for the health professions; in addition many of its students are taught at Further Education Colleges throughout Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. These include the art school, the Plymouth College of Art.

The University of Plymouth was previously known as Polytechnic South-West; before that, its constituent bodies were known as Plymouth Polytechnic, Rolle College, and Seale-Hayne College. Designated as a university in 1992 along with the other former polytechnics, Plymouth has a reputation as one of England’s leading new universities. in part because of its coastal location and strong maritime history, it is particularly renowned for marine engineering and biology. it also scores well in law, psychology, geography, computer science and art history. The university offers a course in “MediaLab Arts” (which recently changed name to “Digital Art and Technology”), a unique new media and computer science hybrid course.
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Union Street : Attraction of Plymouth

Union Street in Plymouth, Devon, is a long street connecting the city centre to Devonport, Plymouth’s naval base and docks. Frequented by sailors from all over the world, it once held a dubious distinction as one of the world’s most infamous promenades and red-light districts. it is still known for its rowdy nights out, with students from the large University of Plymouth brushing against the sailors and marines from Devonport. This is often the spark for violence, and so Union Street still has a seedy and somewhat violent reputation, not unentirely deserved.

The Torpoint : Attraction of Plymouth

The Torpoint Ferry is a car and pedestrian ferry crossing the Hamoaze, a stretch of water at the mouth of the River Tamar, between Devonport in Plymouth and Torpoint in Cornwall. it is served by two pontoon ferries, named after the three tributaries of Plymouth Sound, Plym ii and Tamar ii. A third, named Lynher ii, was launched in June 2005, but as of December 2005 is not yet in service. These three ferries replace earlier ones, Plym, Tamar, and Lynher, dating from the 1960s. The ferries are co-owned by Plymouth City Council and Cornwall County Council, and are managed by the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee.

The Royal Citadel : Attraction of Plymouth

The Royal Citadel of Plymouth was built in the late 1660s, overlooking the Plymouth Sound, on the site of the earlier Plymouth Fort that had been built in the time of Sir Francis Drake. King Charles ii decided it was necessary after the Dutch Wars of 1664-67 to realise the importance of Plymouth as a channel port. Possibly due to Plymouth’s support for the Parliamentarians in the Civil War the guns could also fire on the town itself.

Work began on the Citadel in March 1665, however it was not until July 18th 1666 that the foundation stone was laid by Lord Bath. The Citadel itself is built of local limestone, while the gateway is built entirely from Portland stone.

it was the most important English defence for over 100 years, with 70ft high walls, and was regularly strengthened over the years, particularly during the 1750’s when it was equipped with 113 guns. it is still used today by the military, but it is also a tourist attraction in the summer, with guided tours available.

Fisher’s Nose Blockhouse can be found on its south east corner, which dates from 1490-1540. On the opposite bank to Fisher’s Nose is the Queen Anne’s Battery, dating from 1667.

The Barbican : Attraction of Plymouth

The Barbican is Plymouth’s old harbour area and one of the few parts of the original city to escape the bombs of the Luftwaffe during the Second World War. The Barbican manages to retain much of the architecture and charm of an old fishing town and port.

A vibrant and interesting area, originally home to Plymouth’s fish market (now relocated to the other side of the harbour) and still home to many fishermen, The Barbican contains all manner of shops and businesses - including sweet shops, art galleries, the Barbican Theatre, some eclectic bars, the Plymouth Gin Distillery the Dolphin public house and a gypsy fortune teller named Acora. The Barbican is also home to the famous Cap’n Jaspers burger bar.
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Tamerton Foliot : Attraction of Plymouth

Tamerton Foliot is a village in the north of Plymouth, England that also lends its name to the parish of the same name.

Situated near the confluence of the rivers Tamar and Tavy, the village is situated in a valley, the stream of which quickly broadens out to a large estuarine creek. This passes under a railway bridge. The railway station, now a private property, is situated at the end of a two mile road and is on the edge of a heavily wooded riverside nature reserve.

The village has a population of around 2300 (2001 census) and has three pubs, one Methodist chapel and the Anglican parish church of St Mary’s. This dates from the 12th century, and is thought to be on the site of an earlier building perhaps founded by St indract. it has been much extended since, with the 78-foot perpendicular style tower added around 1440 and most of the rest of the fabric renewed in the 19th century. There is a peal of six bells.

Just outside the eastern boundary of the churchyard stands an ancient hollow oak tree called the Coplestone Oak believed to date from the 1600s. it is named after a Lord of the Manor, Christopher Coplestone, who supposedly stabbed his godson to death against the tree following a family dispute.

The Foliot part of the village’s name derives from the Foliot family, John Foliot being a half-brother of William the Conqueror and recipient of large amounts of land for services rendered during the Norman conquest.

Tamar Bridge : Attraction of Plymouth

The Tamar Bridge is a major road bridge in southwest England carrying traffic between Devon and Cornwall. When it opened in 1961 it was the longest suspension bridge in the United Kingdom. in 2001 it became the world’s first suspension bridge to be widened (from three to five lanes) using cantilevers, and the world’s first bridge to undergo strengthening and widening work while remaining open to traffic. The five lanes are divided as follows: three lanes carry the A38 trunk road, the fourth is reserved for eastbound local traffic and the fifth for pedestrians and cyclists. Previously all traffic merged and shared the three lanes.

Construction of the Tamar Bridge began in July 1959. Before this, the lowest road crossing of the River Tamar was Gunnislake New Bridge at the village of Gunnislake. This seven-arched granite bridge was built in the early 16th century (c. 1520). it is still in use today but it is only wide enough to carry one lane of traffic. Before the Tamar Bridge was opened, most car drivers wishing to travel between Saltash (on the Cornish side) and the Devon city of Plymouth used car ferries. Today the Tamar Bridge carries approximately 40 000 vehicles every day. it is co-owned by Plymouth City Council and Cornwall County Council, and is managed by the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee. A toll of GBP1.00 per car is charged when driving from Cornwall into Devon.

The Tamar Bridge is located above the Hamoaze, and runs parallel to isambard Kingdom Brunel’s Royal Albert Bridge (usually simply referred to as Brunel Bridge) which opened in 1859 and is considered to be one of his greatest railway achievements. Both bridges offer wonderful views of the Tamar Valley and Tamar Estuary. The Tamar, Lynher and Tavy Valleys form one of England’s thirty-seven Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
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North Prospect : Attraction of Plymouth

North Prospect, previously known as Swilly, was the name given to the first council estate built in Plymouth during the 1920s, primarily to accommodate officers settling back in Britain following the devastation of the First World War. The Housing Act of 1919 promised “Homes for Heroes” and an improvement on the overcrowded and inadequate living conditions that existed in early twentieth century Britain. Swilly was Plymouth’s response to this Act.

Swilly House had been at the centre of a prosperous country estate. The original Anglo-Saxon word from which Swilly is derived means “farmland.” Before the Second World War much of the locality of what is now North Prospect and the western edge of Beacon Park was known as Swilly. Swilly Post Office was at the corner of South Down Road and West Down Road.
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Stonehouse, Stonehouse Creek : Attraction of Plymouth

East Stonehouse is one of three towns that were amalgamated into modern-day Plymouth.

The exact history of this part of Plymouth goes back mainly by word of mouth and is passed on by generation of Plymothians. Most of the area goes back to Roman times and a house made of stone was believed to have stood on some land near to Stonehouse Creek. However many other stories relate to land owned in the 13th Century to the then Robert the Bastard. This land subsequently passed to the Durnford Family and through marriage to the Edgecombe Family in the 14 and 15th Centuries. it has grown since then to a large part of the city that is mainly occupied by working families, although it must be added that during the 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries the areas of Emma Place and Caroline Place were home to many of the country’s top-ranking admirals, doctors and clergy.

Stonehouse has three significant buildings: the Royal William Victualling Yard, the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse and the Royal Marines Barracks.

Residents of this area are proud of their past and look forward to a bright future as the area becomes more developed, looking into the future for the next generations.
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Saltram House : Attraction of Plymouth

Saltram House is a George ii era mansion located in Plympton, Plymouth, England. The house that can be seen today is the work of Robert Adam, who altered the original Tudor house on two occasions. The saloon (main drawing room) is sometimes cited as one of Adam’s finest interiors. Complete with all of the original decor, plasterwork and furnishings, Saltram is one of Britain’s best preserved examples of an early Georgian house.

Originally home to the Parker family and Earls of Morley, Saltram House changed hands when it became a property of the National Trust who operate it under the name “Saltram”. More recently the house is famed for its appearance in the 1995 film Sense and Sensibility.

St. Budeaux : Attraction of Plymouth

St. Budeaux is a ward in Plymouth, Devon, England. it has a Catholic church called St. Paul’s Church situated in Pemros Road. it also has a Methodist church, Baptist church and two Church of England churches. St. Budeaux has a public library at the bottom of Victoria Road. There are three pubs - Cornwall Gate, Trelawney Arms and the Fellowship. Most children of secondary school age in the area attend Tamarside Community College in the nearby ward of Kings Tamerton - St. Budeaux itself does not have a secondary school. There are four primary schools - St. Pauls Roman Catholic Primary School, Victoria Road Primary school and a compound containing both Plaistow Hill infant School and St. Budeaux Foundation School. Normandy Way, a road running from St. Budeaux’s central road Victoria Road through to the Tamar Bridge, was originally a site housing American soldiers during World War ii.

St. Budeaux itself is actually much smaller than local references would indicate. While the official boundaries of the ward itself cover approximately 5 sq km, St. Budeaux is often considered to include the neighbouring wards of Barne Barton and Kings Tamerton. The St. Budeaux area, in particular Barne Barton, is one of the poorest areas of the city of Plymouth, and is known for high levels of crime, a reputation not helped by its immediate proximity to the ward of North Prospect, widely considered a much more impoverished and violent area of the city.

The ward is also the last stop in Devon before crossing the Tamar Bridge into Cornwall and into the more affluent town of Saltash. The Tamar Bridge is one of St. Budeaux’s most striking sights. The area has two railway stations, St Budeaux Ferry Road and St Budeaux Victoria Road.

Royal Albert Bridge : Attraction of Plymouth

The Royal Albert Bridge (sometimes called the Brunel Bridge or Saltash Bridge) spans the River Tamar in the U.K. between Plymouth, on the Devon bank and Saltash on the Cornish bank carrying the Great Western Main Line in and out of Cornwall.

The bridge was designed in 1855 by isambard Kingdom Brunel for the Cornwall Railway Company after Parliament rejected his original plan for a train ferry across the Hamoaze. The bridge consists of two main spans of 455 feet (139 m), 100 feet (30 m) above mean high spring tide, plus seventeen much shorter approach spans. Opened by Prince Albert on May 2, 1859, it was completed the year of the great engineer’s death.

The structure was the third in a series of three notable wrought iron bridges built in the period, and was influenced by the preceding two, both by Robert Stephenson. The two central sections of the bridge are novel adaptations of the design employed for the High Level Bridge across the River Tyne in Newcastle Upon Tyne, being spans composed of a tubular arch in compression; a suspension chain in tension and acting to hold in the bridge abutments. Between these two chords are supporting cross bracing members and suspension members which trail beneath the suspension chain to carry the railway deck.
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Plympton : Attraction of Plymouth

Plympton, or Plympton Erle, in south-western Devon, England is an ancient stannary town: an important trading centre in the past for locally mined tin, and a former seaport (before the River Plym silted up and trade moved down the river to Plymouth). Today it is a populous, significantly wealthy north-eastern suburb of the city of Plymouth of which it officially became part, along with Plymstock, in 1967.

in the last 20 years Plympton has seen a ferocious growth spurt and the suburbs population has doubled since the start of this period. To help manage the growth more efficiently, Plympton has been seperated into a series of seperate districts, these are: Yealmpstone, Plympton-St Maurice, Colebrook, Underwood, and Chaddlewood. A new district is scheduled to be built as part of Plympton which will be called Sherford. This development is expected to consist of 6500 homes and a powerplant, of which construction has already been started on.
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Plymouth Sound : Attraction of Plymouth

Plymouth Sound, or just The Sound, is a bay at Plymouth in England.

its south west and south east corners are Penlee Point in Cornwall and Wembury Point on Devon, a distance of about 3 nautical miles (6 km). its northern limit is Plymouth Hoe giving a north-south distance of nearly 3 nautical miles (6 km).

The Sound has three water entrances. One is from the English Channel, with a deep-water channel to the west of the breakwater. Another from the northwest is from the River Tamar via the Hamoaze and Devonport Dockyard, the largest naval dockyard in western Europe. The third is from the River Plym at the northeast via Cattewater harbour between Mount Batten and the Royal Citadel.

in addition to ships of the Royal Navy, large commercial vessels, including ferries to France and Spain use the Sound from Millbay Docks. Fishing vessels use it from Sutton Harbour beside the old town of Plymouth, called the Barbican. There are marinas at Sutton Harbour, Mount Wise in the Hamoaze and Turnchapel.

in the centre of the Sound midway between Bovisand Bay and Cawsand Bay is Plymouth Breakwater, which creates a harbour protecting anchored ships from the frequent south-western storms. The breakwater is around 1700 yards long, stands in around 11 metres / 36 feet of water and was built by John Rennie and Joseph Whidbey starting in 1812. The breakwater has a 23 metre / 75 foot tall lighthouse on its western end and a 9 metre / 30 foot tall beacon with a spherical cage on top at the eastern end. it is said that the cage is a life saving device designed to keep wrecked sailors from drowning in the huge waves of a storm on the low-lying breakwater.
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