Our Journey
How did Plymouth Sound National Marine Park
come to life?
Plymouth Sound National Marine Park began as an idea to connect Plymouth with its incredible seascape and in 2019 we set out to create the UK’s first National Marine Park. Alongside a group of Partners, The Ocean Conservation Trust, Plymouth Active Leisure, Mount Batten Centre, Mount Edgcumbe, Plymouth Culture and Plymouth City Council.
In 2024 we officially became a recognised Marine Park and a UK first. From 2019 to the present day, we have been reshaping how the city connects with the sea. It is now a living, city-wide movement that combines heritage, nature, access and pride in Britain’s Ocean City.
2019 – Spark of an Idea
The concept of a National Marine Park in Plymouth Sound was first championed locally in 2019, with the ambition of giving the Sound the same recognition as National Parks on land. The idea drew on Plymouth’s deep maritime heritage, thriving marine science community and its identity as Britain’s Ocean City.
- Partners agreed that Plymouth Sound’s wildlife, seagrass beds, shipwrecks and historic harbour deserved a joined-up approach that celebrated both access and protection.
- City-wide support grew rapidly, with the proposal seen as a way to boost local pride, reconnect people with the water and create a model for future National Marine Parks across the UK.
- Early in 2019, formal consultation began, involving residents, businesses and partners. Feedback demonstrated strong support for the concept and for a park area encompassing Plymouth Sound.
- In September 2019, Plymouth publicly declared its intention to create the UK’s first National Marine Park, a landmark moment recognising the Sound as a special seascape for nature, heritage and people.
- This declaration set the direction for further planning, engagement and the development of sustainable funding to bring the vision to life.
2021 – Securing Major Investment
In 2021, Blue Marine Foundation published a national vision for Marine Parks across British seas, drawing on insights from the development of Plymouth Sound National Marine Park and reviewing how coastal and marine designations relate to National Parks.
A major milestone followed with significant investment from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Plymouth secured multi-million-pound Heritage Horizon funding to deliver a city-wide transformation centred on connection with the water.
An initial award of approximately £9.5 million was announced in 2021 to support a £22 million programme, confirming the UK’s first National Marine Park and funding a two-year development phase followed by five years of delivery.
2022 – Queen’s Green Canopy Award
On 3 September 2022, the kelp forests off Plymouth were dedicated to Her Majesty as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC), in a ceremony highlighting the environmental importance of kelp, which fringes much of the UK coastline.
2023 – Partnership with Campaign for
National Parks
In 2023, we partnered with Campaign for National Parks, a charity advocating for more National Parks in England. Elaine Hayes worked closely with them, sharing insights and best practice in marine and coastal environments.
2024 – The National Lottery Heritage Fund Grant
In 2024, The National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded, described as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to engage the entire city with its marine heritage, natural environment and climate resilience.
A city-wide engagement programme aims to support the local economy, build skills and help everyone, especially those who may not feel naturally “sea confident” to enjoy and care for the marine environment.
With funding secured, partners began shaping the park through practical projects along the shoreline and within local communities. This included creating key “anchor points” to the park and programmes helping people get in, on, under and beside the water.
Plans include improving experiences at heritage sites such as Tinside, the Mount Batten Peninsula and Mount Edgcumbe, alongside enhanced access points across the Sound.
2025 – National Press Coverage
In 2025, the Marine Park attracted national media attention, with the Little Rays of Hope: Nature and People project featured on BBC Countryfile.
The project aims to raise awareness of the skate and ray species found in Plymouth Sound by digitally documenting their life cycles and offering opportunities for people to learn how they can make a positive difference.
2026 – Where the Park Stands Today
Today, Plymouth Sound National Marine Park is firmly established as the UK’s first National Marine Park and is progressing through its delivery phase, running events, cultural activities, outreach programmes and restoration projects. The park now stands as a flagship example of how a coastal city can celebrate its waters while safeguarding them for future generations.
Plymouth’s journey is now inspiring discussions about future National Marine Parks across the UK, with its story helping shape a wider national movement grounded in local pride and ocean stewardship.
In recent years, alongside heritage restoration and redevelopment, the Marine Park has expanded community events, education programmes, conservation initiatives and volunteer opportunities — all designed to reconnect people with the Sound.