Top 5 Family Attractions in Plymouth This August

Now that the school summer holidays are under way through to 31 August, finding activities to keep everyone entertained across Plymouth is top of mind. With several venues running special seasonal programmes and the recent rollout of city-wide outdoor trails, there are plenty of options to plan a day out locally this month.

At Coxside, the National Marine Aquarium is running its summer holiday hours from 9:30 to 17:00 daily, with last entry at 16:00. Inside, visitors can see over 5,000 marine animals, including sharks, rays and the green turtle 'Friday', across four distinct zones. Daily talks, animal feeding sessions and dive shows are led by Ocean Discovery Rangers. Entry is £26 for adults and £16 for children aged 3 to 15, with free admission for under-3s. Every full-price ticket includes a standard 12-month pass, and pre-booking online is recommended. A joint 'Wet and Wild' pass offer also gives 30% off entry to Dartmoor Zoo in Sparkwell when purchased alongside a full-price ticket.

Over at Tavistock Place, The Box provides a completely free option with no general booking required, open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. August highlights include temporary exhibitions such as Echoes of Us and Gillian Ayres: A Life in Colour, alongside dedicated sessions like family yoga on Sundays and creative portrait making on 16 August. Nearby in the city, you can also spot the St Luke's Guiding Lights trail, featuring more than 40 lighthouse sculptures placed around the waterfront and streets until mid-September.

For outdoor time, Plymouth Hoe remains a free spot to visit around the clock, featuring landmark structures like Smeaton's Tower, the Royal Citadel, and the Art Deco Tinside Lido pool. Further down the coast, Royal William Yard is hosting free family drop-in activities on the Green every Saturday this August, covering everything from circus skills on 15 August to mini golf on 29 August.