An Old-School Day Out in Plymouth

Claire Small
Authored by Claire Small
Posted Tuesday, October 16, 2018 - 3:57pm

If you value activities that don’t revolve around the latest technology and want to enjoy more of an old-school day out, Plymouth has plenty to offer. The coastal city is only a short drive from Exeter, and it’s a great spot to visit for a day or even a weekend. How about rewinding a few years and imagining that smartphones and the internet don’t even exist yet? There are so many exciting, technology-free things to do, and here are some of the best.

Go Swimming at the Life Centre

The swimming centre used to be one of the most popular locations for a day out in the pre-internet era, so this is the perfect place to start on your old school day out in Plymouth. The leisure centre is located in Central Park and is run by Everyone Active in partnership with Plymouth City Council. Along with the family recreational pool, there are numerous other fun-filled activities to take part in at the £46 million centre which opened in March 2012. These include a climbing wall, an eight-lane indoor bowls centre, and a 12-court hall used for badminton, tennis, and other sports. There are also professional pools here, and they were used by a number of teams while training for the 2012 Olympics.

Flap your Bingo Wings at the Bingo Hall

The bingo hall is one of the most quintessentially British social activities imaginable, and it’s making a comeback. While bingo has become hugely popular online, a lot of people are finding that returning to brick and mortar locations also provides thrills. A branch of the well-known Buzz Bingo chain recently opened in town, and it has provided a prime spot for socialising with other fans in the area. If visiting for a day, you’re sure to find an eclectic mix of people playing here who will warmly welcome you to one of their games. The bingo hall opens at 10am from Monday to Saturday and 11am on Sundays. It closes at 12am every day. There is also food and drinks available, from burritos to cocktails.

Soak Up Some Culture at the Theatre

According to Arts Council England, the Theatre Royal in Plymouth is the best-attended regional producing theatre in the UK. The impressive venue features The Lyric, which is a 1300-seat auditorium used to host musicals, opera, and ballet. It also has a 200-seat and a 50-seat studio for smaller scale productions. The iconic building has stood strong since 1758, but took the name Theatre Royal after King George III visited in 1789. Some upcoming events at the theatre include Benidorm Live, The Time Seekers, and Forgotten. Tickets can be purchased in advance via the Theatre Royal website.

These aren’t the only fun activities for the family that you can partake in when you visit Plymouth. The National Marine Aquarium and the Plymouth Mystery Treasure Trail are two other exciting options if you have more time on your hands.
 
 
 

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