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 25B bus will continue to run from the city centre around the waterfront throughout the day until 7pm on Saturday. A one way ticket for the shuttle bus will be £2 for any accompanying passengers with military personal/cadets/vets etc. There will be diversions in place for the Strength of Spirit Games on Thursday 26 June.

View the timetable and map for the number 25B shuttle bus service for Plymouth Armed Forces Day.

For bus timetables please visit: 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.

Plymouth Citybus are offering military personnel and veterans with ID, free bus travel on Armed Forces Day.

View the timetable and map for the number 25B shuttle bus service for Plymouth Armed Forces Day.

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

Road Closures

Strength of Spirit Games

The following road closures will take place on Wednesday 25 June and Thursday 26 June 2025, for the Strength of Spirit Games:

Lockyer Street / Osbourne Place

From junction with Citadel Road to entrance to the Hoe, road closure and parking suspension from 8.30am to 4.30pm on 26 June 2025.

Hoe Road

From Hoe Approach to the junction with Madeira Road. Directional closure between Hoe Approach and Citadel mound from 8.30pm to 4.30pm on 26 June 2025, parking restriction from 9am on 25 June 2025 to 4.30pm on 26 June 2025

Full road closure between Citadel mound and Madeira Road roundabout from 8.30am to 4.30pm and parking suspension from 7am to 4.30pm on 26 June 2025.

Citadel Road

From the junction of Lockyer Street to Hoe Approach. Directional closure from 8.30am to 4.30pm on 26 June 2025, parking restriction from 9am on 25 June 2025 to 4.30pm on 26 June 2025.

Hoe Approach

Directional closure from 8.30am to 4.30pm on 26 June 2025

Disabled parking for blue badge holders is still available on site via the Elliot Street entrance on 26 June 2025.

Armed Forces Flag Raising Ceremony

The following road closure will take place on Monday 23 June 2025, for the Armed Forces Flag Raising Ceremony:

Armada Way

Between Princess Street and the Guildhall public car park from 8.30am to 11.30am

Armed Forces Day

The following road closures will take place on Saturday 28 June 2025, for Armed Forces Day:

Hoe Road

From the Mound at the Citadel to the Junction of Madeira Road, with suspension of parking from 7am to 10.30pm.

Citadel Road

From the junction of Lockyer Street to the junction of Sussex Street from 5pm to 7pm with suspension of parking 7am to 7pm.

Suspension of parking

At Osbourne Place entrance to the Hoe to the junction with The Esplanades from 7am to 7pm.

View the road closure map for the day.

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.