A CRISP MORNING ON THE BARBICAN: Whiling a way a few hours before heading home

I have been visiting Plymouth off and on for 25 years and have grown quite fond of the city. There are a few areas of interest and it makes a good base for checking out the Devon coast. With our time in the town limited though, it had to be the Barbican for us on Sunday Morning.

The area bleeds history, The Mayflower sailed from there in 1602 taking the Pilgrims, the first permanent settlers, to new England; the Tolpuddle Martyrs returned there from Australia after being pardoned and half a mile up the road on the Hoe, Francis Drake played bowls while waiting for the Spanish Armada.

These days it is tourist central, with gift shops, a huge glass shop, a gin distillery and the National Aquarium all nestled within and expensive marina with luxury apartments on the other side of the harbour.