Creative Escapes: How to Find Wellness, Art and Relaxation in Plymouth This Summer

By Bracken Jelier

Summer in Plymouth isn't just for kids. If you're looking to explore your creativity, slow down, and reconnect with yourself this August and September, the city is full of experiences designed for grown-ups. Whether you’re after a mindful workshop, a restorative swim, or simply time to sit with a coffee and a sketchbook, here are some of the best ways to unwind and get inspired.

1. Take a Hands-On Creative Workshop

Plymouth’s vibrant creative scene offers plenty of adult-friendly workshops. Try your hand at ceramics, screen printing or woodcut printmaking at Ocean Studios in Royal William Yard, which hosts regular classes designed for beginners and seasoned makers alike such as Colour and Tone Painting, Printmaking and Life Drawing.

Flameworks in Devonport also offers a wide range of adult art courses - from metalwork to jewellery making; perfect for anyone looking to learn a new skill or return to a lost passion.

Head to The Box for to The Craft Collective, a safe-space for women of all ages and cultures who meet every Friday to share and learn traditional crafts.

Get creative in nature with Colourful Horizons – relaxed outdoor art sessions for adults combining gentle walking, sketching, and painting in peaceful natural settings around Plymouth. View upcoming sessions here.

2. Join a Sound Bath or Forest Meditation

Reconnect with nature and yourself at The Market Hall, Devonport, where pilates, yoga and meditation sessions run in the 360 degree cinema.

Head to Bovisand for a Beach Sound Bath to celebrate the Full Sturgeon Moon under the summer sky, supported by the magic of the Full Sturgeon Moon.

Sign up for free Yoga Classes in Mount Gould kindly funded by Sky Connected Together or head on to the water for unique and transformative way to practice yoga on a SUP.

3. Escape to the Sea

There’s something deeply restorative about open water—and Plymouth’s got plenty of it. For a serene start to your morning, try a sunrise dip at Firestone Bay or an early evening swim from Tinside East. For something gentler, the Tinside Lido remains a calm and iconic spot for a relaxing float.

Want to get your paddleboard on? Try a guided paddleboarding session with South West SUP from Royal William Yard.

Or why not join in with the Summer Sea Swimmers, a mixed-ability group to suit all standards from dippers up to channel swimmers.

Discover Plymouth from a new perspective with a SUP History Tour – paddleboard your way around Royal William Yard while learning about the area's rich maritime past in this unique, guided experience. Book a tour

4. Discover Slow Art and Late Openings

Take some solo time to wander through a gallery and let your mind slow down. The Box offers free entry and an ever-changing programme of exhibitions. This summer includes Power of the Sea and a thought-provoking showcase of women artists.

Head to KARST to step into a thought-provoking free participatory reading group and conversation Do The Dead Gossip? Explore different notions of sound and the dead, particularly how ‘conversations’ could unfold with the dead outside of the formalities of language.

Soak up the sounds of summer at Yard Sessions - live acoustic music with a sunset view. Free live music nights at Royal William Yard featuring local artists, street food, and a relaxed waterside vibe every Thursday evening.

5. Unwind

Wander the stalls at the Good Food & Craft Market at Royal William Yard – held on the first Sunday of each month, it’s a relaxed way to explore local produce, handmade crafts, and street food in a stunning waterfront setting. More info

Ease into your evening with Live Music Sundays at Steel Brew Co – enjoy laid-back acoustic sets, craft beers, and a friendly atmosphere every Sunday at Royal William Yard. Find out more

Take a mindful stroll through history with the Summer Sorted: History Trail at Royal William Yard – a self-guided walk blending heritage, storytelling and fresh sea air, perfect for a relaxed solo adventure or a quiet day out. Explore the trail

6. Try a Cultural Retreat Day

For a more immersive tech-meets-art experience, Real Ideas at Market Hall run workshops. From spatial audio to 360° filmmaking, these hands-on sessions are perfect for adults looking to learn new digital skills in an inspiring setting.

Take time for personal reflection at Heal First, Manifest Later – a transformative evening of guided journaling, healing practices, and intention setting led by The Manifestation Mentor.

Take It Slow This Summer

August and September are ideal months to take a step back and focus on yourself. Whether you’re creating, floating, stitching or simply sitting with a view, Plymouth offers plenty of quiet spaces to breathe and be. If you’re ready to get creative and embrace a slower pace, follow What's On Culture Plymouth for weekly updates and highlights from across the city.