The Great American Heritage Trail
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The Great American Heritage Trail Walk this voyage of discovery and follow in the footsteps of some of Plymouth’s most historic visitors and settlers. This Anglo-American journey will show you a number of hidden treasures, making this an experience that will take you back in time. visitplymouth.co.uk Contact [email protected] WhatsOnPlymouth @visitplymouth +44 (0) 1752 306330 1 The Hoe Start by standing on The Hoe Promenade, one of the largest natural harbours in the world, face away from the water, looking down Armada Way. Here you will see a number of monuments lining the promenade, including the Royal Naval War Memorial. Together with the Royal Marines and Royal Air Force Memorials, these bear sobering testament to Plymouth’s, and partnering troops, severe human losses in the global warfare of the 20th century. US troops were stationed here in WW2 and departed for Normandy landings on D-Day from Saltash passage. Popular legend has it that it was on the Hoe, on 20th July 1588, that the Elizabethan Sea-Captain Sir Francis Drake was playing bowls when first news of sightings of the invading “Spanish Armada” was brought to him. Drake signified his wish to continue his game of bowls undisturbed, a cool reaction fabled as an act of English heroism. In reality, however, Drake and his fellow captains probably knew full well that the wind and tide conditions at that particular moment precluded the English Fleet from putting to sea immediately from Plymouth! 2 Smeaton’s Tower Turning back to face the water, you will see Smeaton’s Tower – Plymouth’s lighthouse, which is open to the public most days. The tower was built to the innovative designs of the Scottish Engineer John Smeaton in the years 1756-9, and originally stood nine miles out to sea on the Eddystone Rock. It was replaced and dismantled from the Rock and moved for preservation on the Hoe in the 1880’s. Looking out across the water you will see views of Plymouth Sound – the gateway to Europe and beyond. During the 1930’s many of the greatest transatlantic ocean liners would have been seen regularly in the Sound, embarking or disembarking passengers and mail. These included the White Star Line’s “Olympic” (“Titanic’s” sister ship), Cunard’s “Mauretania” (holder of the “Blue Riband” 1905-35) and “Queen Mary” (now moored at Long Beach, California), the “Ile de France”, “Normandie”, “George Washington”, “Leviathan” and others. Earlier, during the First World War, the 33,000 men of the Canadian Expeditionary Force were disembarked here from a fleet of 32 liners upon their arrival in the Sound. 3 Elliot Terrace Over your right shoulder, at the back of the Promenade, you will see seven elegant town houses – Elliot Terrace, erected by the local builder (and eventual Lord Mayor and City Alderman) “Honest John” Pethick in 1860. On house No.3 (now designated as the Lord Mayor of Plymouth’s official residence and used for Civic functions, also periodically open to the public) you will see a bronze plaque referring to its former occupancy by the Astor family. In 1899, Waldorf Astor’s father (William Waldorf Astor, then the richest man in America) had elected to become a naturalised British citizen. In 1906, Waldorf Junior married Nancy (one of the three Langhorne sisters of Williamsburg, Virginia). Nancy later became the first woman to take a seat as a member of the British Parliament and was MP for Plymouth Sutton for 25 years up until 1945. 4 The Royal Citadel This impressive strategic defensive site, on the far end of the Promenade, was originally occupied, in Elizabethan Times, by the Hoe Fort (of which Sir Ferdinando Gorges – the “Founder” of the north-eastern American State of Maine had been one-time Governor). However, the huge star-shaped granite and limestone fortress we see today was built in 1666 (at the Royal behest of King Charles II), to house a substantial Garrison in anticipation of perceived threats of attack by the Dutch from the Netherlands. 5 The Mayflower Steps and Mayflower Museum From the Citadel, walk towards the waterfront, turning left follow the road until you reach The Barbican and Sutton Harbour. When you reach the edge of the cobbled streets, to your right you will see the historic Mayflower Steps. Although structurally altered over the intervening years, the Steps themselves may be taken as the approximate location from which the “Pilgrim Fathers” embarked upon “The Mayflower” for the final time, in the year 1620. For more information about the history of the Mayflower sailing and the Pilgrim Fathers stay in Plymouth, see the Mayflower Trail. Discover more about the Pilgrims voyage and their journey aboard the Mayflower to the New World at the Mayflower Museum , located opposite the Mayflower Steps above the Tourist Information Centre. 6 ElizabethanSaltash Passage House and Gardens There are impressive views here of the River Tamar and the two lofty bridges (the twin spanned railway bridge dates from 1859 and was Heading into the Barbican with the Tourist Information Centre on your left, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, whilst the modern suspension road just past this you will see a small cobbled street called ‘New Street’ – formed bridge was opened in 1961). between 1575 and 1600. Walk up this street and a few doors up on the left you will come to No. 32, otherwise known as the “Elizabethan House”. This Plymouth was one of the main embarkation points for US troops taking late 1500s sea captain’s house was rescued from demolition in 1929. It part in the D-Day landings. It was from here on the 2nd and 3rd of June survives in its near original state and is sympathetically furnished. A visit to 1944 40,000 US troops from the Vth and VIIth corps of the US Army the house will take you back to the times of Sir Francis Drake. Opening times embarked on their mission to land on Utah beach and join the liberation of are as posted or advertised. Slightly further up New Street, just through the mainland Europe in the battle for Normandy. The operation for the Battle of passageway next to No. 34 you will also find the Elizabethan Gardens. This Normandy – code-named ‘Operation Overlord’ – was top secret. lovely oasis of calm features low box hedges and, at certain times of the year, beds of colourful flowers and fragrant herbs. 7 Barbican Quay Spend some time walking the many cobbled streets around The Barbican and Sutton Harbour, taking you right by the water’s edge. Explore the many shops, galleries and eateries as well as the narrow street alleyways, tracing the footsteps of many of our ancestors. 8 The Blackfriars Plymouth Gin Distillery Back on Southside Street, the main street through The Barbican, on your left you will find Plymouth’s Gin Distillery, dating back to 1431. It is suggested that in 1620 some of the Pilgrim Fathers may have dined here before their departure on the Mayflower. In 1793, the building was acquired by the Coates family for conversion into a distillery producing – “Plymouth Gin”. 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