Plymouth

This article is about the city in England. For the town in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, see Plymouth, Massachusetts. For other uses, see Plymouth (disambiguation).

Plymouth
City and unitary authority
Flag of Plymouth
Flag
Official logo of Plymouth
Nickname: 
Britain's Ocean City
Motto(s): 
Turris fortissima est nomen Jehova
"The name of Jehovah is the strongest tower"[1]
Shown within Devon
Shown within Devon
Plymouth is located in England
Plymouth
Plymouth
Location within England
Plymouth is located in the United Kingdom
Plymouth
Plymouth
Location within the United Kingdom
Plymouth is located in Europe
Plymouth
Plymouth
Location in Europe
Coordinates: 50°22′17″N 4°08′32″W / 50.37139°N 4.14222°W / 50.37139; -4.14222
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
CountryEngland
RegionSouth West England
Ceremonial countyDevon
City status1928
Unitary Authority1998
Areas of the city
List
Government
 • TypeUnitary authority
 • BodyPlymouth City Council
 • LeadershipLeader and cabinet
 • Council controlLabour
(as of 04 July 2023)
 • Members of ParliamentFred Thomas (L)
Luke Pollard (L)
Rebecca Smith (C)
Area
[2]
 • Total30 sq mi (80 km2)
 • Rank215th (of 296)
Highest elevation
509 ft (155 m)
Lowest elevation
0 ft (0 m)
Population
 (2021 Census)
 • Total264,695 (city / unitary authority)
266,983 (urban)
 • Rank66th (of 296)
 • Demonyms
Plymothian (formal)
Janner (informal)
Ethnicity (2021)
 • Ethnic groups
List
Religion (2021)
[3]
 • Religion
List
Time zoneUTC0 (GMT)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+1 (BST)
Postcode district
PL1–9
Area code01752
ISO 3166 codeGB-PLY
PoliceDevon and Cornwall
AmbulanceSouth Western
FireDevon and Somerset
Websiteplymouth.gov.uk Edit this at Wikidata

Plymouth (/ˈplɪməθ/ ⓘ PLIH-məth) is a port city and unitary authority in Devon, South West England. It is located on Devon's south coast between the rivers Plym and Tamar, about 36 miles (58 km) southwest of Exeter and 193 miles (311 km) southwest of London. It is the most populous city in Devon.

Plymouth's history extends back to the Bronze Age, evolving from a trading post at Mount Batten into the thriving market town of Sutton, which was formally re-named as Plymouth in 1439 when it was made a borough. The settlement has played a significant role in English history, notably in 1588 when an English fleet based here defeated the Spanish Armada, and in 1620 as the departure point for the Pilgrim Fathers to the New World. During the English Civil War, the town was held by the Parliamentarians and was besieged between 1642 and 1646. In 1690 a dockyard was established on the River Tamar for the Royal Navy and Plymouth grew as a commercial shipping port throughout the Industrial Revolution.

After absorbing nearby settlements in 1914, the borough was awarded city status in 1928. During World War II, Plymouth suffered extensive damage in the Plymouth Blitz, leading to post-war rebuilding that significantly shaped its modern appearance. A further expansion of its boundaries in 1967 contributed to its current status as the 30th-most populous built-up area in the UK and the second-largest city in the South West after Bristol, with a population in 2022 of 266,862.

Plymouth's economy, historically rooted in shipbuilding and seafaring, has transitioned towards a service-based economy since the 1990s. It maintains strong maritime connections, hosting HMNB Devonport, the largest operational naval base in Western Europe, and offering ferry links to Brittany and Spain. The city is also home to the University of Plymouth, reflecting its educational and cultural significance. Today, the city is governed locally by Plymouth City Council and is represented nationally by three[4] Members of Parliament.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference brief history was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Mid-Year Population Estimates, UK, June 2022". Office for National Statistics. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  3. ^ UK Census (2021). "2021 Census Area Profile – Watford Local Authority (E07000103)". Nomis. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  4. ^ "MPs | PLYMOUTH.GOV.UK". Plymouth City Council. Retrieved 22 August 2024.