Plymouth on a Student Budget: 8 Free or Low-Cost Culture Opportunities
Being a student in Plymouth can feel like a constant balancing act between wanting to make the most of the city and keeping your bank balance intact. Luckily, Plymouth is bursting with free and budget-friendly things to do that don’t just revolve around the cheapest pint in town. From art and theatre to music, markets and outdoor adventures, there’s always something to explore — even if you’re skint.
Plymouth’s flagship museum, art gallery and cultural hub is a must-see — and the best bit? Entry is completely free. Inside you’ll find exhibitions ranging from Ancient Egypt to contemporary art, as well as a life-size woolly mammoth that’s become a student photo favourite. It’s a brilliant place to dip into between lectures or to spend a rainy weekend afternoon. Plus, Curator Tours are usually a good dive into the exhibitions and also totally free (booking sometimes needed). Keep an eye out for their late openings and special events too - including silent discos and markets.
The Box is open 10am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday and selected bank holidays.
2. Grab a Discount Seat at Theatre Royal Plymouth
Theatre might sound pricey, but The Drum — Theatre Royal’s intimate studio theatre — will sometimes have student standby tickets or discounted seats. You can see edgy new writing, experimental performances and national tours for much less than you’d expect. If you’re into the big musicals, it’s still worth asking at the Box Office about last-minute student deals. A night at the theatre for under a tenner is a serious upgrade from Netflix.
3. Discover Open Mic Nights & Free Live Music
Plymouth’s live music scene is one of the city’s biggest draws for students, with venues to suit every taste and budget. For grassroots gigs, The Junction and The Underground on Mutley Plain are staples, showcasing everything from indie and folk to punk and metal in intimate spaces packed with energy.
If you’re after big names, Plymouth Pavilions hosts national tours and arena-style shows, while newer spaces like The Depo bring DJs, MCs, and themed nights to the Union Street crowd. Plus The Quad at Marjons is a huge venue hostig music and theatre - including some brilliant cover bands.
Down on the Barbican, you’ll find a more eclectic mix: the Barbican Theatre and B-Bar offer open mics, acoustic sets, and creative workshops.
For something completely different, the Market Hall Dome in Devonport stages immersive 360° live music experiences you won’t find anywhere else in the UK - check out their student concessions when booking. Students also flock to The Roundabout, where regular live bands and cheap food deals make it a social hub.
If you’re looking for late-night fun, Annabel’s Cabaret combines live funk, disco, and indie with a lively club atmosphere, while community spaces like Leadworks in Stonehouse keep things inclusive with open mic nights, album launches, and creative workshops. Add in alternative spots like Cosmic Kitchen, Thistle Park Tavern, and The House on the university campus, plus major outdoor events on The Hoe, Central Park, and at Home Park Stadium, and it’s clear Plymouth punches well above its weight for live music.
Venues like The Nowhere Inn, The Junction, and The Underground host regular open mic nights where anyone can perform, or you can just sit back with a drink and enjoy the talent. Don’t forget that Student Socials also happen every Tuesday at Pit and Pendulum from 8 until 12, then the Nowhere Inn until late or the open mic night at the Nowhere Inn (this happens roughly the last Tuesday of every month).
The Bread and Roses is Plymouth’s only social enterprise pub — by day it’s a welcoming café with free Wi-Fi (ideal for studying), and by night it transforms into a lively arts hub with affordable gigs, progressive live music, and a creative community vibe that makes it a perfect hangout for students.
4. Take Yourself on a Plymouth Art Trail
The best way to get to know Plymouth is on foot, and the city has a series of free trails that uncover its history, culture and creativity. Culture doesn’t have to live behind a ticket desk. Grab your trainers and wander the city’s art trails, many of which are completely free. All routes are free to follow and many are available on the Plymouth Trails App, so you can explore at your own pace. Look out for public art installations, murals on Union Street, sculptures around the Hoe, or heritage plaques across the Barbican. During the annual Plymouth Art Weekender, the city becomes one big open gallery — and almost all events are free to attend.
Mayflower Trail: This 1.2-mile walk around the Barbican takes you back to 1620, when merchants, sailors and pirates filled the harbour. In just an hour you’ll see the buildings and streets connected to the Mayflower story — perfect for combining history with a coffee stop.
City Centre Trail: Discover how Plymouth rebuilt after the Blitz on this 1.9-mile route. The trail showcases the bold post-war “Plan for Plymouth” and its now-protected modernist architecture. It’s flat, accessible, and takes about an hour.
Hoe Trail: From Sutton Harbour to the Tinside Lido, this 2.1-mile route links some of Plymouth’s most iconic waterfront landmarks. It’s a 90-minute walk through centuries of maritime history, with shortcuts if you prefer a shorter stroll.
Waterfront Walkway: Stretching 9.3 miles, this trail weaves art and history together as part of the South West Coast Path. You’ll spot playful public art, from a golden scallop to a ten-ton rhino, while walking from the Cremyll Ferry to Jennycliff.
Coming Soon: Guiding Lights 2026: In 2026, Plymouth will host St Luke’s Guiding Lights, a citywide trail of decorated lighthouse sculptures raising funds for St Luke’s Hospice.
Wherever you start, Plymouth’s trails are free, fun, and a brilliant way to explore the city’s past and present.
5. Experience the Immersive Dome at Market Hall, Devonport
This one is a Plymouth hidden gem. Market Hall is home to the UK’s first immersive dome cinema, showing everything from 360° films and planetarium-style shows to live digital performances. Student tickets are usually around £5–£7, making it one of the best-value experiences in town. Trust us — you’ll never look at cinema the same way again. At the moment they have a huge Helios sun sculpture hanging where you can see it and experience events underneath it such as yoga and silent discos - and it’s free!
If you like your art a bit more experimental, head to KARST, Plymouth’s largest independent contemporary art space. Entry is always free, and the exhibitions push boundaries with performance, video, installation and sculpture from artists across the world. It’s the kind of place where you’ll come out thinking, “I don’t get it… but I kind of loved it.” Look out for their special curated tours and talks - they are always fascinating deep dives where you can often meet the artists themselves.
7. Explore Plymouth’s Outdoors (for Free)
Some of the best things in Plymouth are right outside your door. Watching the sunset on Plymouth Hoe, wandering the historic cobbled streets of the Barbican, or chilling with friends on the grass overlooking the sea costs nothing. For a super cheap adventure, hop on the Cremyll Ferry for just £2–£3 and spend the day exploring Mount Edgcumbe’s gardens and woodlands.
8. Dive Into Pop-Up Events and Festivals
Plymouth has a packed cultural calendar, and many festivals and events are free or low-cost. From the Respect Festival celebrating diversity, to live street performances during the Plymouth Art Weekender, Seafest, The Christmas Lights Switch-On and Plymouth Pirate Weekend, there’s always something happening. Keep an eye on What’s On Plymouth Culture for the latest student-friendly events — it’s your best bet for staying in the loop. We are on TikTok, facebook and instagram sharing behind the scenes info, ticket links and video content to inspire.
Final Tip: Don’t Forget Student Discounts
Whether it’s reduced entry to gigs, cheap cinema tickets, or discounts at cafés and restaurants, your student card is your secret weapon. Always ask — you’d be surprised how many places offer savings if you flash your ID.
So, next time you’re broke but bored, remember: Plymouth is full of experiences waiting to be discovered — and most of them don’t cost more than a coffee.
