Under the previous ownership of directors Walter Combstock and Jonathan Morcom, the Duke of Cornwall Hotel has retained its charm while presenting new appeal for guests today. In their dedication to this beloved building, the pair brought its historical features back to life while introducing sympathetic modernisations and enhancements. The Duke is today owned by Fragrance UK and is proud to maintain its tradition of delivering comfort, style and exceptional first-class service to every guest welcomed through its doors.

The Duke of Cornwall Hotel was created to serve a growing demand for luxury accommodation in the golden age of steam. It welcomed a busy flow of passengers arriving by rail at the adjacent Millbay station and from ocean liners at Millbay Docks. The Duke, then Plymouth’s tallest building, became a beacon of sophistication in the city and has attracted an array of illustrious guests ever since.

One notable resident was the celebrated explorer Ernest Shackleton. He and his party stayed at the Duke on their last night before setting out on their infamous Antarctic expedition. The hotel has also welcomed legendary showbiz names through its doors, including Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, Anne Ziegler and Webster Booth. Notable figures from the world of politics, such as Alan Clarke and Dame Janet Fookes, have been among the guests here too.

The Duke continues to be the go-to venue for high-profile personalities today. Michael Portillo, visited the hotel recently to feature it in his BBC series ‘Great British Railway Journeys’. He interviewed local Titanic enthusiast Nigel Voisey about the hotel’s part in the story of the infamous cruise liner. After the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, the returning crew survivors arrived at Plymouth. Twenty of the ship’s stewardesses spent their first night back at the Duke of Cornwall Hotel. Nigel Voisey has staged a number of Titanic exhibitions in the Duke’s Ballroom to mark this local connection.

In 2015, Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell used the hotel as a meeting place during the filming of the TV show ‘Long Lost Family’. And writer Will Self published his thoughts on a night spent at the hotel recently, declaring: “My only desire was that I could stay longer. Much longer.” And with Plymouth Pavilions a few steps from our door, the hotel makes a popular stopping point for a variety of visiting VIPs from the realm of entertainment.

The hotel is also just a stroll from Plymouth Hoe. This famous promenade offers sensational ocean views across Plymouth Sound, one of the world’s finest natural harbours. The Hoe is also home to Tinside Lido. This outdoor seawater swimming pool, which celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2015, projects spectacularly over the sea. Built in 1935, Tinside is Grade II listed and represents one of Britain’s finest pieces of surviving Art Deco architecture. The Hoe is also where you’ll find the interactive ‘Beatle bums’ artwork. This copper sculpture invites you to recreate the iconic photo of the Fab Four sitting to enjoy the view over Plymouth Sound on a sunny day in 1967.

Wander around the waterfront to reach Sutton Harbour and the Barbican. Here, you’ll find the Mayflower Steps, the renowned site from which the Pilgrim Fathers set sail to settle in America in 1620. This centuries-old area features a fantastic array of independent shops, restaurants and traditional pubs – and boasts the highest concentration of cobbled streets anywhere in Britain. You’ll also find the National Marine Aquarium here. This attraction hosts the UK’s deepest tank and counts sharks and seahorses among its array of ocean life. Another gem hosted on Plymouth’s Barbican is the Black Friars distillery. This is England’s oldest working gin distillery and home to one of the city’s best-loved exports, Plymouth Gin, which you can sample on a visitor tour.

Another must-visit Plymouth spot is the Royal William Yard, found a short distance from the hotel. This unique site lays claim to the biggest collection of Grade I listed military buildings in Europe. These handsome stone buildings by the sea have now been re-imagined as upmarket restaurants, bars and art galleries. The yard also stages regular public events, including outdoor cinema and theatre shows.

Plymouth is the UK’s greenest city, with an amazing 40 percent of its footprint being green space. Central Park, on the edge of the city centre, is undergoing a multi-million-pound refurbishment, introducing innovative public sports and leisure facilities in this prime spot. Its play park offers plenty of fun for the children, and the park’s expansive paths and meadows are ideal for a stroll, a run or a leisurely picnic. A little farther out, you can visit Saltram Park and Mount Edgcumbe. These public parks feature abundant open grounds, stunning views and magnificent historic manor houses.

Beyond the city lie some of the UK’s most picturesque rural spots. Dartmoor, a short drive from Plymouth, is a breathtakingly rugged wilderness area known for its towering tors and resident wild ponies. For wonderful views and sea air, explore some of the 630-mile walking route of the South West Coast Path.

Plymouth, and the Devon and Cornwall region beyond, offer exceptional opportunities for leisure activities, entertainment, fun and outdoor adventure. The Duke of Cornwall Hotel makes the ideal base from which to discover it all for yourself.

While these projects help Plymouth to exhibit its rich past, a thoroughly twenty-first-century development is also about to excite the city in the shape of the £40 million Drake Circus Leisure complex. This will bring a state-of-the-art 12-screen cinema and a variety of new restaurants to the very centre of Plymouth.

Also in 2020, Plymouth will be the location for the start of the world famous Transat race. This is the first and oldest single-handed transatlantic sailing contest. The hosting of the race in Plymouth is perfectly timed to echo the journey undertaken by the Pilgrims four centuries before.

With the world’s eyes on Plymouth for Mayflower 400, exciting times lie ahead. As well as a being a moment to reflect on the significance of this extraordinary city, it’s a wonderful opportunity to attract investment and a spur to further enrich Plymouth’s fantastic public spaces. We’re delighted for the Duke to be closely involved in driving the positive transformations which are in motion. And we look forward to playing a part in giving a well-deserved boost to Britain’s Ocean City.