Waterside history, the Gansey Gathering, the Rumba, and more

It's The Beagle: Saturday June 20 2026

Catch a coffee, a view - and a glimpse into waterside history

The Liner Lookout must have witnessed many sights in its 150-year history. But did you know that a visit to the Lookout Café also allows you a glimpse into the city's waterside history?

Owners Dave and Ann Morrish have albums packed with more than 600 photos showing rare and fascinating images of The Hoe, the waterside, and the city's maritime history - all freely available to browse.

The couple acquired and converted the lookout to a café 11 years ago and have played an active part in Hoe life ever since.

Swim across the Sound

Swimmers will have the rare opportunity to cross Plymouth Sound from the Breakwater to the iconic Tinside Lido tomorrow (Sunday) in a charity fundraiser.

The route follows the coastline past Jennycliff Bay, continues by Mount Batten Pier, and finishes at Tinside Beach. This year’s distance is longer than previous events, covering approximately 3.8–4 km.

The event fell victim to bad weather last year - it's a fundraiser for The Chestnut Appeal, which raises money to help prostate, testicular and penile cancer patients and their families.

The swim starts at 9am.

Rumba restaurant plan in The Barbican

Councillors should decide next week on the future of the former Flower Cafe in The Barbican - with an application to convert the premises into a "high class" restaurant.

The plans, from Barbican Restaurants Limited, said that the Barbican had a significant number of fish and chip outlets and added: "whilst not decrying the value of that dish, we wish to add a wider choice, which will cater for discerning palates."

The company has already won a premises licence for the venture, which will be called Mama Rumba. It wants to modify the building, in Southside Street, to allow disabled access and erect a temporary structure at the rear courtyard area of the plot.

Barbican Art, Food and Craft Fair - and a Gansey gathering!

This weekend sees a number of "firsts" - with a free sardine festival and the first of several new craft fairs at The Barbican.

Local artists, craft makers and food producers have been invited to have stalls at West Pier and around the Mayflower Steps.

The fair runs on both Saturday and Sunday, and will be repeated in July (18/19), August (15/16) and September (19/20).

More details from organisers and hosts, the Plymouth Art Gallery CIC.

Meanwhile at Commercial Wharf today (Saturday) revellers can enjoy the city's first ever free sardine festival! Shanty groups, coastal crafts, seaweed tasting and free sardines, it runs from 11am to 4pm.

Organisers say the Gansey Gathering event will "celebrate Plymouth’s working-class coastal heritage with a focus on our fishing industry. It will remember times when the Barbican was full of fishing boats, herring girls and huers shouting “mackerel against the wall”. "

Catch the buzz

The arrival of more green roofs on the new bus shelters in Royal Parade are creating a bit of a buzz. The shelters on the shops side of the road are being planted with sedum, turning the roofs into little green oases, which will attract birds, insects and pollinators.

Plymouth Council says the planting will help improve air quality and keep the air cool by absorbing sunlight.