How to get here

There are plenty of ways to travel to Plymouth Armed Forces Day on Plymouth Hoe. Keep reading to find out all available options, including bus, Park & Ride, car and parking, disabled parking, road closures and more.

Arriving by bus

Local residents are strongly encouraged to use the local bus services to get to the event. Plymouth is very well served by buses with nearly all parts of the city linked directly to Royal Parade which is approximately a 10 minute walk to the Hoe where the event will be taking place. The No 25 bus will continue to run from the city centre around the waterfront throughout the day until 6pm on Saturday. There will be diversions in place for the Thursday Triathlon.

For bus timetables please use this link: www.plymouth.gov.uk/bustimetables

For journey planning please either call Traveline on 0871 200 2233 or use this link: www.travelinesw.com

Arriving by Park & Ride

All visitors arriving by car are encouraged to use Plymouth’s Park and Ride services to Royal Parade which is approximately a 10 minute walk up to the Hoe.

Visitors are encouraged to check the bus timetables before travelling.

Parking at the Park and Rides is available on a first-come, first-served basis. If the Park and Ride sites are full by the time you arrive, don’t worry. Please park in the city centre.

Directions if coming by car

Sat nav ref: PL1 2TR (Main city centre car parks – a short 5 minute walk from the venue)

From the North
The main route is via the M5 motorway and then continuing on the A38 Expressway via Exeter. Leave the A38 at Marsh Mills interchange and take the A374 which is clearly signed for the city centre. It takes about 3.5 hours from London to Plymouth.

From the West
Leave the A38 at Manadon interchange and take the A386 into the city. It's about 1.5 hours from Truro.

Parking

There are plenty of car parks in the city centre within walking distance of the venue. You can find somewhere to park on the Plymouth City Council parking page. The nearest car park to the Hoe is the Theatre Royal Car Park.

Check if you can help cut the cost and environmental impact of travelling by car with the car share scheme.

Disabled Parking

Disabled parking is available in Ballard House car park (West Hoe Road, PL1 3BJ) for approximately 30 car parking spaces for blue badge holders, plus the use of on-street parking.

The 25B bus supplied by Citybus will operate a shuttle service between Ballard House, Royal Parade (outside the Theatre Royal) Hoe Road (near the Hoe ramp) and back to Ballard House at 30-minute intervals. Starting from Ballard House from 8.30am with the last departure from Hoe Road being at 6.30pm.

Citybus and Stagecoach are offering military personnel in uniform and veterans and cadets, wearing their AFD badge, free bus travel on Armed Forces Day.

View the 25B timetable and map.

For more information on the city, you can find maps of Plymouth on the Visit Plymouth website.

Road Closures

Armed Forces Flag Raising – Monday 24 June

Armada Way between Princess Street and the Guildhall public car park from 8.30am to 11.30am

Rehabilitation Triathlon – Thursday 27 June

Lockyer Street / Osbourne Place (from junction with Citadel Road to entrance to the Hoe) road closure and parking suspension 8.30am to 4.30pm on 27 June.
Hoe Road (from Hoe Approach to the junction with Madeira Road) directional closure between Hoe Approach and Citadel mound 8.30am to 4.30pm on 27/6/24. Parking restriction from 9am on 26 June to 4.30pm on 27 June. Full road closure between Citadel mound and Madeira Road roundabout 8.30am to 4.30pm and parking suspension 7am to 4.30pm on 27 June
Citadel Road (from the junction of Lockyer Street to Hoe Approach) directional closure 8.30am to 4.30pm 27 June. Parking restriction from 9am on 26 June to 4.30pm on 27 June
Hoe Approach – Directional closure 8.30pm to 4.30pm on 27 June

Plymouth Armed Forces Day – Saturday 29 June

Hoe Road from the mound at the Citadel to the junction of Madeira Road, with the suspension of parking from 7am to 10.30pm
Citadel Road from the junction of Lockyer Street to the junction of Sussex Street 5pm to 7pm with the suspension of parking from 7am to 7pm
Suspension of parking at Osbourne Place entrance to the Hoe to the junction with The Esplanades from 7am to 7pm

Sustainable Travel

Connect Plymouth offers a choice of sustainable travel options, which provide easy access to get around the city, including Beryl Bikes, so you can peddle your way to Plymouth Hoe, for Armed Forces Day! Find out more on Connect Plymouth.

Train Travel

Plymouth is easily accessible by train with a wide range of services running from a variety of locations within England. Although some services may require a change or two.

Travelling from London takes around 3 hours with Great Western Railway, if you're coming from the north, the trip from Manchester can take 5 hours 15 minutes.

Alternatively, the recently renovated Night Riviera Sleeper service runs Monday – Friday and Sunday evenings. Visit gwr.com/sleeper for more details on times and how to book.

We recommend using GWR.com to search for the fastest and best route for your journey, and book in advance for the best price.

Ferry Travel

Brittany Ferries operates car ferry services to Plymouth from Roscoff (France) and Santander (Spain). For details, go to http://www.brittany-ferries.com.

By Air

Rail and coach services connect Plymouth to the regional airports of Exeter, Newquay and Bristol. There are also transport links to Plymouth from London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport

Accommodation

If you're looking to find local accommodation in Plymouth, you will be spoilt for choice; from hotels, bed & breakfasts, to self-catering, holiday cottages and more.

While you're staying in the city, be sure to check out all the things to do, as well as where to shop and grab a bite to eat.