Duke of Cornwall closed; Mount Batten pontoon transformation; and some things for the weekend and beyond...

Friday February 13 2026

Hotel closes suddenly - whilst also submitting planning application for repairs

The Duke of Cornwall hotel suddenly closed this week, leaving guests, including those with Valentine-weekend reservations, to find alternative accommodation.

It "will be closed for a period to undertake an 'essential improvement project'."

A hotel spokesman told The Beagle: "The Duke of Cornwall has temporarily closed to undertake an essential improvement project. This is essential work that requires the full closure of the hotel."

It came as the hotel submitted major plans to Plymouth Council for repair and renovation work, including removal and replacement of an existing enclosed fire escape staircase and associated structures, various alterations and repairs to the roof, render, rainwater goods and windows, and associated works.

The hotel, in Millbay Road, was built in the 1860s and was Grade II listed in May 1975 (and amended in November 1998). It was designed by C Forster Hayward to cater for the GWR passengers.

It was described by former Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman as "one of the finest examples of Victorian gothic architecture he had ever seen".

Plymouth Council planning reference: Ref. No: 25/01515/FUL

Comments should be submitted by March 10 2026.

Waterfront transformation

Work to transform one of Plymouth’s most recognisable waterfront facilities reaches a major milestone this month, as construction begins on the new Mount Batten Pontoon.

The city council says the installation of the new pontoon structure will secure the long-term future of the Mount Batten Ferry and improve access to water-based activities.

Some disruption is expected for slipway and pontoon users. This includes the Mount Batten Ferry service pausing from 23 February to 4 March; the Mount Batten Main (Eastern) Slipway will be closed from 26 February to 6 March; and the Mount Batten Northern (Western) Slipway will be closed to all vehicular traffic for the full duration of the work.

Scene on the Sound - RFA Proteus

By The Captain, Beagle maritime correspondent

This week saw the return of RFA Proteus.  It is her sixth visit to Plymouth since she was commissioned into the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

Proteus is used to protect critical infrastructure, such as the pipelines and sub-sea power and data cables that connect the UK to the rest of the world.  She serves as a mothership for remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and other autonomous systems.  The crane on her aft deck can lift 120 tonnes and she has a moonpool – a large internal pool open to the ocean below. 

She also supports the Navy's diving and the mainly ROV-delivered, mine countermeasure capabilities.  Her crew is around 85 – mainly RFA, but also quite a few RN.  She has been in service since 2003. 

Another week in the saga of West Hoe harbour

The engineers seem to have finished the job of rebuilding the core of the eastern end of the West Hoe Harbour, writes The Captain.  Many more loads of concrete have now been poured and the core top is now almost level with the pier’s deck.  Thankfully, it seems certain that the structure is safe.  There is clearly much work still to do and I am keeping an eye on progress.

Something for the weekend?

🩰 The Red Shoes: step into one of cinema’s most intoxicating love triangles. Tonight (Friday) 7pm at Market Hall, Devonport.

📚 Plymouth Literary Festival, Saturday and Sunday (Feb 14 and 15), 10am to 4pm, Portland Square Building, Plymouth University. Details at their website

Sounds familiar?

February 14 is the anniversary of the infamous Valentines Day storm massacre - the date in 2014 when one of the most damaging storms in decades battered Plymouth Hoe.

It followed a series of relentless storms throughout January and February 2014 that resulted in record-breaking rainfall, severe flooding, and coastal erosion across the UK. 

The Hoe seafront was heavily impacted, with huge waves smashing windows, tearing up decking, and ripping coping stones from walls, some of which were thrown 40 meters. The Wet Wok restaurant and Waterfront Pub were severely damaged, with interiors ruined by the sea.

Tales of the sea talk

The SHIPS Project is a volunteer non-profit organisation, based in Plymouth, that undertakes research and exploration of maritime historical sites and events, both on land and underwater.

Later this month (February 24) it is holding a #TalesOfTheSea talk by deep wreck diver Dom Robinson about his diving on HMS Victory, where 1,100 sailors were lost when the vessel sank in 1744. The 100-gun ship was launched in 1737, and seven years later it was the flagship of a fleet led by Admiral Sir John Balchen.

Robinson is a former Head of Diving and Training for the British Sub Aqua Club and a ex-senior manager at Babcock, delivering projects for UK Special Forces.

The evening is at Club 27, Bretonside, and costs £3. Click here for info and tickets