Plymouth Hoe - East Beach

Plymouth Hoe East is a developed promenade area just below Smeaton’s Lighthouse.  The beach itself is rather small and composed of rocks and shingle.  It has fine views over Plymouth Sound, a lively natural harbour at which there is always plenty of activities to sit and watch.

Plymouth Hoe is reputed to be the spot where Sir Francis Drake was famously playing bowls, a game which he decided to finish before setting out to defeat the Spanish Armada in 1588.  A statue to the great adventurer commemorates this even, behind which is The Royal Citadel, a 17th century fortress still used by the military today.

This section of the coast is quite rocky and visitors wishing to enjoy an outdoor swim without the risks of entering the sea can enjoy a splash in Tinside Lido, a delightful 1930’s art-deco saltwater swimming pool.  The lido is open from the end of May until early September.