Plymouth Sky Ride

Dust off that helmet, pump up those tyres and get in the right gear because Sky Ride is coming to Plymouth in May.

Sky and British Cycling are coming to Plymouth on Sunday 13 May to host Sky Ride Plymouth, a free event that will encourage people to have fun on traffic free roads.

Roads around the city will be closed so that everyone can enjoy a safe, family friendly traffic free bike ride. Everyone's invited - on bikes and trikes, adaptive bikes, wheelchairs or mobility scooters.

Sky Ride Plymouth is part of Sky Ride 2012, a national campaign from British Cycling and Sky aimed at encouraging the nation to get back on their bikes. Everyone's invited to participate in Sky Ride, its free and open to all. People are advised to bring bikes with them however there will be limited bike hire available for those who do not own a bike.

The route is just over eight kilometres and will allow people to travel through traffic-free routes at their own leisure and speed. Starting on The Hoe at 10am the ride will take in the Barbican and the city centre as well as Stonehouse, Royal William Yard, Millbay and West Hoe.

People can join the ride anywhere along the route at anytime during the event and British Cycling trained leaders will be on hand throughout the day to provide support and tips.

You can hire a bike for an hour and a half from The Hoe Promenade. Prices range from £4 for a child's bike, £5 for an adult's bike and £7.50 for a tandem. Child seats and trailers are also available.

CLICK HERE FOR ROUTE MAP

Plymouth Music of the Night 2012

Monday 16 to Friday 20 July 2012 : Royal Citadel Plymouth

The event, which began in 1992 to commemorate the re-dedication of the Royal Citadel after its refurbishment, has developed into a major biennial event in the West Country, raising over £600,000 for local and military charities.

Boasting a cast of hundreds of local amateur singers and dancers of all ages and the professional musicians of the Royal Artillery and Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, the final production of Music of the Night will be hosted by 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery in celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the formation of the Commando Gunners and will take place Monday 16 – Friday 20 July 2012 (for five performances only – note there is no Saturday performance).

As in previous years, all profits from the staging of Music of the Night will be donated to local and military charities.

To Book your Tickets visit the Plymouth Pavillions website.

The Avalon Guest House Plymouth is less than 2 minutes walk from the Royal Citadel for your overnight stay at our Plymouth Hoe Bed and Breakfast for contact details or to make a reservation please visit our website at www.avalonguesthouse.moonfruit.com 

Packed Line-Up of Events to mark Olympic Torch Relay

PLYMOUTH will see an action-packed events line-up to celebrate the Olympic torch relay, the council has revealed.

Plymouth City Council has announced an "exciting" live entertainment programme to coincide with the arrival of the Olympic Torch next month.

The local authority has promised a "spectacular" free stage show with live music and acrobats to take place on Saturday May 19, when the torch first arrives in the city.

The UK's first Torch Relay Evening Celebration live event will include a programme of entertainment staged by LOCOG, and the three presenting partners of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay – Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung, with support from Plymouth City Council.

Coca-Cola will showcase exciting up-and-coming live music acts, Lloyds TSB is bringing acrobatic performances and Samsung will stage dance performances.

Local dancers have also be asked to perform and the council has commissioned Plymouth Dance for two performances.

The Olympic torch relay begins at Land's End on the morning of Saturday May 19 and reaches Plymouth at approximately 7.40pm on Saltash Road outside HMS Drake.

Live celebrations will kick off on Plymouth Hoe at around 7pm on Saturday May 19.

Plymouth Life Centre Now Open

The much awaited Plymouth Life Centre has recently opened and is set to be one of the country’s leading centres of sporting excellence.

The £46.5 million facility includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool, world class diving pool, 17 metre climbing wall, 12 court sports hall, 157 station fitness suite, bowls rink and much more.

The Plymouth Life Centre will be host to many events and holiday activities for young and old alike.

An ideal place to bring the children for a funfilled Summer Holiday.

For detailed information and many discounts visit Plymouth Life Centre Website

Why not extend your stay and enjoy a night or two at The Avalon Guest House our Plymouth Bed and Breakfast for easy access to Plymouth Life Centre and all it has to offer,  Plymouth City Centre, The Hoe and The Barbican.

Joe and Louise McShane look forward to welcoming you.

Olympic Flame Route Through Plymouth is Revealed

Plymouth City Council today revealed the route for the Olympic torch relay and the names of some of the torchbearers from the city.

It came as Prime Minister David Cameron forecast a huge boost for tourism as he urged the region to "get behind" the London Olympics.

SATURDAY MAY 19

The route will be Saltash Road along Albert Road, Park Avenue, Chapel Street, Cumberland Road, Union Street and into the city centre.

It will travel along Raleigh Street, New George Street and onto Armada Way to Royal Parade, up to Kinterbury Street, Bretonside and Vauxhall Street then onto the Barbican along Southside Street past the Mayflower Steps then along Madeira Road, Hoe Road and up onto the Hoe promenade, arriving at approximately 8.50pm.

Full details of street by street timings can be viewed at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay from 7.30am on Monday 19 March.

SUNDAY MAY 20

The Olympic Flame will leave the Plymouth Life Centre at approximately 7.50am and be carried along Outland Road, onto Alma Road, Saltash Road, Cobourg Street, Charles Street, Exeter Street, Embankment Road and out to Laira Bridge Road.

Barbican International Jazz and Blues Festival

The dates for this years Barbican Jazz and Blues festival have been released: 27th – 29th July!

Be prepared for a range of top quality Jazz & Blues acts and live entertainment across the Barbican. This is one event not to miss!

This year the festival coincides with the popular Plymouth Classic Boat Rally

Book your stay with us at The Avalon Guest House for these events at our Plymouth bed and breakfast website 

Plymouth Parade to Welcome Commandos Home

On Friday 11 November Plymouth City Council is hosting a homecoming parade for 3 Commando Brigade to mark the end of the Brigade’s final deployment to Afghanistan.

It is expected to be a huge parade around the Hoe and city centre with hundreds of troops and thousands of supporters turning out in the morning to watch and cheer them on.

There will be a medal ceremony on the Hoe at 9.55am following by a short Remembrance Service at 10.50am including a gun salute and a two minute silence at 11am. The Lord Mayor Councillor Peter Brookshaw will give a welcome speech to the gathered troops and crowds then the parade will begin.

 Our Guest House Bed and Breakfast is perfectly situated on Plymouth Hoe for our guest to attend the Parade, to book your over night stay please visit our website at www.avalonguesthouse.moonfruit.com

Shuttle Service from Millbay/Barbican/Hoe during Americas Cup

Plymouth Discovery Tours have announced Beryl the bus will be providing a shuttle service from Milbay to the Barbican and Hoe during the 9 days of the America’s cup.

The service will run from 11am to 8.30pm every day offering a 15 min service, except on the last Sunday service, which will end at 6pm.

Adult rate will be £1 per trip and 50p per child. A adult discount card will be available for £10 giving you 12 trips.

Want to find out more about the America’s Cup? View the Plymouth Barbican Waterfront America’s Cup event section for full details and timings of the races due to take place this September.

Cool off for Free at Plymouths Tinside Lido

Avalon Guest House Plymouth Bed and Breakfast is pleased to inform our guests that our City's beautiful art deco lido can be used for free up until 18th September 2011.

Yes you heard it right admission is completely free.

The lido is less than five minutes walk from our Plymouth Guest House 

For further details and opening times please visit website

Classic Boat Rally

Initially cancelled due to lack of interested the Classics Boat Rally organisers fought long and hard to rescue this popular event. Expect to see over 40 classic boats moored around the Barbican and Sutton Harbour during the 29th July – 1st August.

For full details on this event please view the Classic Boat Rally website

Programme Outline

Friday 29th July
Arrival of boats

Saturday 30th July
In harbour, social events (the Port of Plymouth Regatta races can be seen in the Sound)

Sunday 31st July
Racing through the Sound and out to sea depending on weather

Monday 1st August
Feeder race to Fowey Classics

View full programme details

To book your overnight stay in our Plymouth bed and breakfast please visit our website at www.avalonguesthouse.moonfruit.com 

Plymouth To Hold the UK's First Olympic Torch Relay Evening Celebration

The Avalon Guest House in Plymouth is pleased to announce that Plymouth is to host the UK's first Olympic Torch Relay Evening Celebration.
The event on 19 May 2012 will be the first Evening Celebration during the 70-day, 8,000 mile torch relay leading up to the lighting of the Olympic Flame at the Olympic Stadium in London on 27 July.
Plymouth is the first of 66 Evening Celebration locations across the UK confirmed today by LOCOG. The evening events will offer thousands of people the opportunity to come together and get involved in celebrations and share in the Olympic spirit.
The Olympic Flame will arrive in the UK from Greece on Friday 18 May 2012 and the 70-day Torch Relay will start at Land’s End, Cornwall on the morning of the 19 May 2012. On leaving Land’s End, the Olympic Flame is expected to travel an estimated 8,000 miles across the UK, giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine as the Olympic Flame comes to their doorstep. The Olympic Flame will arrive at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Exciting Offer for Guests

Avalon Guest House Plymouth is pleased to be able to offer guests this exciting offer.
Plymouth Discovery Tours have teamed up with two other attractions

From Monday 30th May our guests can experience Plymouth by Land Sea and Sky .

This offer gives the customer a Boat trip with Tamar cruising , A ride of their life on The Wheel of Plymouth as well as a Bus Tour onboard Beryl the Bus.

New for this season there is a New stop to collect customers  as well as the Mayflower step  (11.10am ,12.20pm 2pm 3.10pm )we will also use the Putting Green stop on Citadel Rd  ( 11am, 12pm 1.50pm and 2.55)

This new offer for all 3 attraction  is 

£16 per Adult 

£9 child (4.14) 

£1 child (2-3 )

Lee Evans to play two special warm up shows at Plymouth Pavillions

Comedy superstar Lee Evans is set to perform two special ‘warm-up’ shows at Plymouth Pavilions this summer before he heads off on his record breaking Roadrunner arena tour.

Roadrunner is Lee’s amazing new show with 63 nights at the biggest arenas in the country. In fact when the show initially went on sale last year it smashed UK box office records by selling 227,424 tickets in just one day, firmly establishing it as the fastest and biggest day one selling UK comedy tour of all time.

Lee’s manic energy, uncanny observations, hilarious delivery and side-splitting material have made his live performances a must-see for comedy fans worldwide.

“As with Lee’s previous performances in Plymouth a few years back, tickets are bound to sell-out and be like gold dust!”

Lee Evans visits Plymouth Pavilions on August 19 and 20, 2011. Tickets cost £30 and go on sale at 10am on January 25 from the Pavilions website.

To book your overnight stay in Plymouth please visit our Plymouth Bed and Breakfast please visit our website at www.avalonguesthouse.moonfruit.com 

Lemar to turn on Christmas lights in Plymouth city centre this November

SINGING star and reality TV star Lemar is to turn on the Christmas lights in Plymouth city centre this year.

The singer who shot into the charts after BBC's Fame Academy in 2002 will headline the celebrations in Plymouth on November 18.

Lemar will kick off the Plymouth Winter Festival with songs from his new album as well as old hits.

The London-born soul singer has sold more than two million albums and has won two BRITs and three MOBO awards.

The festive fun starts at 4pm with music and entertainment on the Heart Radio stage at the top of Cornwall Street.

The Urban X Dancers, Roo Mckeller, Zumba Zone and the Beatbreakers will be there to get the crowds warmed up before Lemar takes to the stage at 6pm.

He will be joined by ITV Westcountry to switch on the lights live on ITV1 at 6.20pm before local girl Lauren Francis, who made it through to this year’s X-Factor boot camp, will take to the stage to wrap things up.

The Christmas ice rink on the piazza and the Christmas Market in Armada way will also be opening their doors to coincide with the switch-on celebrations.

The Plymouth Winter Festival is packed with great events and activities for all the family

Late night shopping will run every Thursday from 18 November to 23 December, with most shops open until 9pm. In the week before Christmas (starting 20 December) most shops will be open every night until 8pm.

The festival will start with the Christmas Lights switch-on (Thursday 18 November) and features the Christmas ice rink on the piazza, festive shows at the Pavilions, Christmas markets (18 November to 2 January), Sleeping Beauty at the Theatre Royal (17 December to 22 January), the Christmas Carnival (5 December), late night shopping, street entertainment and a very special Santa fun run

To Book your bed and breakfast in Plymouth please visit www.avalonguesthouse.moonfruit.com 

Plymouth Unveils Plan for Winter Festival with Ice Rink, Markets and Entertainment.

Plans have been unveiled for a Plymouth Winter Festival this year placing Plymouth as the region's top destination for retail and leisure this Christmas.

The Winter Festival will start with the Christmas lights switch-on on Thursday November 18th.  It will feature the Christmas Ice Rink on the Piazza, festive shows at The Plymouth Pavillions, Christmas markets, Sleeping Beauty at The Theatre Royal, the Christmas Carnival, late-night shopping, festive street entertainment and a special Santa fun run.

Another Happy Plymouth Visitor

As the owner of The Avalon Guest House and, indeed, an avid supporter of our beautiful City I am always pleased to receive articles or reviews written by visitors.  I was fortunate enough to recently receive the following article written by Mrs Helen Mollart a regular blogger and travel article writer.

 

Plymouth was superb, really enjoyed ourselves!  Visited the town (much shopping was done!), took a boat trip up the River Tamar to see the Naval Dockyards (4 out of our 6 nuclear-powered subs were in dock, together with assorted Warships, Survey Vessels and Frigates), visited the National Maritime Aquarium, spent an entire day at the Eden Project and a day in picturesque Dartmouth which included a visit to the Castle (600 years of history).  We had 2 meals out (Pizza Hut and Pizza Express - the last of the big spenders, us Mollarts!)  Apart from Monday (when it poured down nearly all day) the weather was sunny, breezy and bright; weren't we lucky!  

 

The Moody Blues* were superb on the Wednesday night (our 26th Wedding Anniversary) - very civilized gig (for musicians in their 60's/70's, it has to be!) started at 8.15pm and finished at 10.30pm sharp!  Very impressed with the venue - Plymouth Pavilions - and no vomit/broken glass/fighting to negotiate on the way out (we usually go to much more uncivilized gigs as you can tell)!.

 

*Many thanks for the tickets which were waiting for us at the venue as you arranged last year.

 

We rounded off each day by taking a coffee from the flat and sitting in the 'Bullring' on the Ho, watching the local lads dicing with death and destruction by 'tombstoning', and the submarines, support vessels and ferries in the Sound as the sun went down - magical.

 

Thanks for extending the speed bumps right along the Ho and behind the flat which we use (which fronts onto Garden Crescent); this seemed to stop all but the most determined speed/noise freaks from accelerating past our bedroom window at 3am, waking up all and sundry.  And for the ones who still 'went for it', I hope their sumps fall off in a very expensive and possibly un-repairable way!

To experience for yourself the delights that Plymouth has to offer please visit our Plymouth Bed and Breakfast website.

Bonfire Night in Plymouth

Join us for a spectacular fifth of November Bonfire and Firework display on Plymouth Hoe.

The bonfire will be lit at 7:30pm with the firework display starting at 8:00pm.

Entertainment will start from 6:30pm courtesy of Heart Radio, there will also be fairground rides and refreshments stalls. 

Plymouth Mega Ride

Plymouth Mega Ride on Sunday 13th June.This year will see the 16th Mega-Ride and hopefully with the sun shining we will see an impressive turn out on the day.

To book your overnight stay please visit our Plymouth Bed and Breakfast website at www.avalonguesthouse.moonfruit.com 

Plymouth Jazz Festival 2010

This Weekend sees the start of the annual Plymouth Jazz and Blues Festival.  Now in its fourth year the Barbican International Jazz & Blues Festival brings together leading artists from Europe and America at a variety of venues throughout the historic Barbican – and many of the events are free. International names are heading to this year's celebration from May 1-9, which is the first event in the Plymouth Summer Festival.  A detailed event diary can be viewed by visiting the Festival Website at  http://www.barbicanjazzandbluesfestival.com/.  Plymouth is a wonderful place to visit with our waterfront, Dartmoor and the beaches and villages of Devon and Cornwall close by.The train journey to London, along the South Devon coast, is inspirational.

Our roads make it is easy to get to Exeter and Bristol Airports and Plymouth Airport has a great service into Gatwick and London City.
Other air services and our ferry links to Brittany and Santander add that European dimension.
Our naval base adds something special to the city, which, when added to our Elizabethan heritage and our historical links to America, makes this a uniquely fascinating destination.
The Avalon Guest House is ideally situated for visitors to take full advantage of all that Plymouth has to offer.  Our website at http://www.avalonguesthouse.moonfruit.com/ has a wealth of visitor information and transport information and you can even check the weather.  To check availability, book online or see our direct contact details please do not hesitate to visit our Plymouth Bed and Breakfast Website.

Plymouth Summer Festival

As a city Plymouth is unique in the number and range of events which it hosts throughout the summer months from May until September. To capture the spirit, and help co-ordination of the events for visitors, the Plymouth Summer Festival was created a number of years ago. Plymouth Summer Festival 2010 promises to be even bigger and better hosting a huge range of events and festivals begining with the Jazz and Blues Festival starting on the 1st May and running until the 9th May.

Visitors can view a full diary of events at http://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/site/whats-on/plymouth-summer-festival-2010 helping you combine your stay in Plymouth with an event to suit.

The Avalon Guest House is ideally located for visitors to enjoy Plymouth Summer Festival without the stress of a journey by car with most of the events situated within easy walking distance.  To book your bed and breakfast in Plymouth take a look at our website at http://www.avalonguesthouse.moonfruit.com/ to find details of the excellent bed and breakfast accommodation we provide.

Plymouth and The Avalon Guest House looks forward to welcoming you.