Plymouth Gin Distillery & Walking Tour

OVERVIEW

Follow in the footsteps of Sir Francis Drake and the Mayflower pilgrims on a walking tour of historical sites that includes a centuries-old distillery, where you will sample Plymouth gin. A short walk from the pier will take you to the grassy plateau Plymouth Hoe. It was here in 1588 that Sir Francis Drake spotted the approaching Spanish Armada. According to legend, Drake finished playing a game of bowls rather rush to his fleet, knowing the tides would delay the armada. A statue of Drake stands over the Hoe, as do Smeaton’s Tower lighthouse and the Royal Citadel. Plymouth has a long seafaring history because of its fine natural harbor. In the Barbican area near the old Sutton Harbour, you will see the Mayflower Steps where the pilgrims departed for America in 1620. Countless others left for America in their wake. Another landmark is Black Friars Distillery, where Plymouth Gin has been produced since 1793, making it the oldest distillery in England. After watching a video on how the gin is produced, you will enjoy a tasting of the spirit that is made with seven botanicals and soft water from nearby Dartmoor. Continuing on, you will pass the 15th-century Prysten House and a more modern section of Plymouth that was rebuilt after heavy bombing in World War II. Finally, you will walk the wide boulevard Royal Parade to the Theatre Royal, from which you can transfer to the pier or return later on your own.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Be immersed in maritime history as you walk legendary Plymouth harbor with a knowledgeable guide.
• Visit England’s oldest distillery, where Plymouth Gin is made with local botanicals, water and passion.
• Ascend to the bluff where Drake spotted the Spanish Amada approaching Plymouth – and defeat.
• Visit the Mayflower Steps where 102 passengers set sail into history books everywhere in 1620.
• Wander atmospheric Elizabethan streets in the Barbican district, with modern Plymouth just nearby.by.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.