Sutton Harbour, Plymouth

Previously known as "Sutton's Pool," Sutton Harbour is the original port of Plymouth. The port has expanded, but the old Harbour remains a busy fishing port and marina. It is part of the Barbican district of town and was the departure point of the Mayflower, carrying passengers and cargo to the New World.

Plymouth was settled as early as 700 AD. Sutton (southern settlement) was the original name for the town, taken from the Domesday Book (a comprehensive record of land in England, made in 1086 by order of William I). Sutton Harbour was the base of the English fleet that challenged the Spanish Armada. The Navy moved to Devonport, but fishing vessels and coastal carriers remained.

The Barbican borders the north and west ends of the harbor. It is named for the 15th-century fortification that formerly guarded the mouth of the Harbour. The district boasts of having the most cobbled streets in England. Over a hundred buildings date from the 16th and 17th centuries.

The Mayflower Steps, where the Pilgrims took ship for America in 1620, are marked by a porticoed platform on the West Pier of Sutton Harbour. Also on the West Pier is the Leviathan, a sculpture of an imaginary sea monster by artist and sculptor Brian Fell. It is 33 feet tall. Locals call it the Prawn.

The National Marine Aquarium of Plymouth, the largest in the UK, is located in the Barbican near the Royal Citadel. It has over 400 marine species.

Sutton Harbour is also a vibrant waterfront with a selection of luxury waterside properties, modern offices, a diverse range of restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, and year-round visitor attractions.