Join Select Southwest Tours' acclaimed guided walk through the Barbican — Plymouth's ancient waterfront district — uncovering the real stories of the Pilgrim Fathers, Elizabethan seafarers, and the centuries of maritime drama etched into its cobblestones.
What to expect
The 90-minute to 2-hour walk threads through the Barbican's narrow medieval lanes, pausing at the Mayflower Steps where the Pilgrims are said to have made their final farewell to England in 1620. Your guide animates the Tudor architecture, the island's role in Drake's circumnavigation, and the working fishing harbour that still operates today. The National Marine Aquarium and the Black Friars Distillery (gin!) are in easy walking distance for post-tour exploration. History lands with emotional weight in this remarkably preserved quarter.
Good to know
Tours depart from the Barbican waterfront — a 10-minute walk from the cruise tender pier. Comfortable, flat shoes are essential; Barbican cobblestones are uneven. Runs approximately 2 hours, leaving the rest of the day free. Book in advance via selectsouthwesttours.com as group sizes are deliberately kept small. This pairs perfectly with a post-tour lunch at one of the Barbican's harbourside restaurants.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Plymouth — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.