Royal William Yard is gearing up for a bumper bank holiday weekend as one of Plymouth’s most popular waterfront markets returns.
The Good Food and Craft Market will return to The Green on Sunday, 3 May, from 10am until 3pm, bringing together more than 60 traders, including independent makers, artisan producers, artists, food traders and creative talent from across Devon and Cornwall.
The popular Plymouth market is returning to Royal William Yard for the first time this year, giving visitors the chance to browse handmade jewellery, original artwork, award-winning produce, gifts, freshly made treats and unique finds from across the South West.
The Yard’s restaurants, bars, shops and businesses will also be open throughout the long weekend, making it a major bank holiday destination for anyone looking for food, shopping, cinema, coastal walks or drinks by the water.
Visitors are being encouraged to plan their journeys in advance, with local road diversions still in place around Stonehouse. Royal William Yard remains open for business and vehicle access is still available through the temporary diversion route, although drivers are being advised to allow extra time.
Market days are usually busy at the Yard and parking can fill up quickly. Stonehouse Creek car park, which has more than 200 spaces, is open to the public at weekends and is around a 10-minute walk away.
There are also several ways to reach Royal William Yard without driving. The Yard is around a 30-minute walk from Plymouth City Centre and sits directly on the South West Coast Path, making it an easy trip for anyone wanting to turn the journey into part of the day out.
Visitors can also travel by water, with Plymouth Boat Trips operating the Waterlink Ferry between the Barbican, Royal William Yard and Saltash. The service also connects with the Cremyll Ferry for those heading on to Mount Edgcumbe Country Park.
While the 34 bus service is temporarily suspended, the 21 and 21A services stop at Stonehouse Bridge, around a 10-minute walk from the Yard. Cyclists can also use bike lock-up space at the Yard and a nearby Beryl e-bike bay on Cremyll Street.
Alongside the market, visitors can browse independent shops including Pebble, Identity Fashion and Nala’s Pet Co before heading for lunch, coffee or drinks at one of the Yard’s waterfront venues.
Bistrot Pierre, Wagamama, Le Vignoble, Seco Lounge, The Shack, Steel Brew, DockSide Coffee Bar, BLOCK Café and Wildwood all offer outdoor seating for alfresco food and drinks, while Everyman Cinema will be showing the latest films and cult classics across the weekend.
Those looking for something more active can take to the water with South West SUP, enjoy sea swimming from Firestone Bay’s rock beach, try a fire and ice sauna at Halogi or follow the South West Coast Path, which runs directly through the Yard.
Two free self-guided trails are also available for visitors who want to explore the history and geology of the area. The History Trail brings Royal William Yard’s 200-year naval past to life through archive images, audio and stories, while the Geo Trail, developed with the University of Plymouth, reveals 380 million years of geological history.
Leaflets for both trails are available from the Welcome Suite at the entrance to the Yard.
Nathan Cornish, Director at Urban Splash, said:
“Royal William Yard has always been a place that is worth the trip – and a bank holiday weekend is the perfect time to discover why.
"With the market on The Green, dozens of brilliant traders, and all of the Yard's restaurants, shops and businesses open alongside, there is so much to experience and explore.
"This is also a chance to get out and about and explore – arriving at the Yard by water, on foot or by bike, with the ferry, the South West Coast Path and cycling routes all on the doorstep.”
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