Barbican, Plymouth facts for kids
The Barbican is a historic area in Plymouth, Devon, England. It covers the western and northern parts of Sutton Harbour, which was Plymouth's first harbour. This area was lucky to survive most of the damage during The Blitz in Second World War. It also kept its charm after older buildings were cleared away to improve public health. You can still see old fishing port architecture here. The Barbican has many cobbled streets and over 100 buildings that are protected because of their history.
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History of The Barbican
The Barbican area today is much like the old walled town of Sutton from the Middle Ages. The name "Barbican" comes from an old word for a fortified gate. Here, it likely refers to the 'Castle Barbican,' which was an entrance to Plymouth Castle. This castle protected the harbour before the Royal Citadel was built.
For many centuries, The Barbican was home to Plymouth's busy fish market. Even though the main market has moved, many fishermen still work from here. One of Plymouth's oldest streets, New Street, runs north from The Barbican.
Many old buildings in The Barbican have been carefully restored. The Plymouth Barbican Association helps to look after these historic places. However, some old buildings were pulled down in the past. This happened because they became very crowded and unhealthy places to live.
The Plymouth Gin Distillery has been making Plymouth Gin since 1793. This gin was very popular and was even exported around the world by the Royal Navy. In the 1930s, it was one of the most famous gins globally.
Fun Places to Visit
The Barbican area has many interesting places to explore:
- The National Marine Aquarium is one of Britain's largest aquariums. It has one of the deepest tanks in Europe, filled with amazing sea creatures.
- The Elizabethan House is a very old house built in the early 1500s. Today, it is a museum where you can learn about life long ago.
- The Mayflower Steps are near where the Pilgrims set sail on the ship Mayflower in 1620. They were heading for the New World. You can learn more about their journey at the nearby visitors' centre.
- The studio gallery of the artist Robert Lenkiewicz is also here. He lived and worked in The Barbican for many years.
The Barbican also has many shops and businesses. These include the Barbican Theatre, art galleries, and the historic Plymouth Gin Distillery. You can also find the Dolphin Inn, Plymouth and many places to eat and drink.
Culture and Events
The Barbican has a lively and unique culture. You can find live music performances here. There are also "Stone Soup Story Tellers" evenings, where people share stories. Festivals are often held in the area too. The Parade, a paved area, now has comfortable seating with glass sides and umbrellas. This allows people to enjoy the waterfront in all kinds of weather.
Recent Changes and Developments
In 1993, a lock was built to enclose the harbour. This lock helps keep the water depth constant for fishing and pleasure boats. It also helps protect nearby buildings from floods. In the same year, the old fish market moved to a new, modern location across Sutton Harbour. This new market is very busy, with many fishing boats arriving to unload their catches.
Over the last 20 years, many new buildings have appeared around Sutton Pool. These are often modern blocks of flats right by the water. These new buildings have changed the look of the waterfront.
Images for kids
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Plaque on a restored building by the Plymouth Barbican Association.
