Plymouth Sound National Marine Park: Year 2 of Making Waves
- News
Over the past year, Plymouth Sound National Marine Park has continued to bring people closer to the water, nature and each other. From getting children into the sea for the first time to supporting community projects and creating more accessible spaces, the Marine Park has helped thousands of people connect with Plymouth Sound in new ways. Here are some of the highlights from year 2 of the UK’s first National Marine Park.
668 children took part in Swim Safe
The revamp of Tinside Lido ahead of Summer 2025 has created new opportunities for young people to access the water safely and confidently. Refurbished spaces that were previously closed have been brought back into use, helping transform Tinside into a year-round hub for learning and activity. Through Swim Safe, 668 children developed vital water safety skills while building confidence in Plymouth Sound and creating positive connections with the sea.
2,400 young people attended Youth Nights
The investment in Tinside’s new community and event spaces has helped turn the iconic lido into a vibrant venue for young people across the city. Youth Nights welcomed more than 2,400 attendees over the past year, giving young people a safe and inclusive opportunity to enjoy the water, socialise and stay active. The upgraded facilities have also enabled a wider programme of activities and events, ensuring Tinside remains a lively community space throughout the year.
Community Access Weekend sparked lasting change
One of the most important moments in the Marine Park’s journey was the Community Access Weekend. While the event took place in the previous reporting year, its impact has continued to shape activities throughout the last 12 months. The weekend helped identify the barriers that can prevent people from accessing Plymouth Sound and showed that when those barriers are understood and addressed, people are keen to get involved. The learning from the event has since been embedded into a growing programme of inclusive activities, creating more welcoming, achievable and long-term opportunities for people to connect with the sea.
400 pupils experienced Mount Edgcumbe
A special programme at Mount Edgcumbe welcomed 400 pupils from Riverside Primary School, including 93 children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The experience gave young people the chance to explore nature, heritage and the coastline, with many families reporting a stronger interest in outdoor learning afterwards.
Rangers connecting people with Plymouth Sound
The Marine Park’s Ranger team has continued to play a vital role in helping people discover, enjoy and care for Plymouth Sound. Through events, beach cleans, citizen science projects and neighbourhood outreach, Rangers have connected thousands of residents with the coastline while building confidence, skills and a sense of shared responsibility for the marine environment. Their work has included regular activities at sites such as Tinside and Mount Batten, alongside projects like Shoresearch, Living Seawall monitoring and the City Nature Challenge, giving people memorable first encounters with local marine wildlife and opportunities to contribute to real environmental research. Through initiatives including Sea in the City, Community Anchor Points and Meet the Marine Park, Rangers have helped bring the National Marine Park into communities across Plymouth.
970 students connected with the sea through schools
The Sea In Our School programme reached 970 students through classroom sessions, visits and hands-on activities. Teachers reported that the programme inspired curiosity, environmental awareness and a stronger sense of pride in Plymouth’s marine environment.
4,300 people engaged through Meet the Marine Park
The Marine Park’s outreach activities continued to bring Plymouth Sound into communities across the city. Through events, conversations and hands-on experiences, more than 4,300 people learned about the opportunities, wildlife and stories that make the Marine Park special.
£40,000 awarded through Blue Sparks
In response to overwhelming demand, the new Blue Sparks community grants programme doubled its funding from £20,000 to £40,000. Ten local organisations are now delivering projects that celebrate creativity, culture, skills and the environment, helping communities play a direct role in shaping the future of the Marine Park.
The next round of applications for Blue Sparks is out now!
Sea for Yourself: creativity meets the coast
This year marked the first full year of delivery for Sea for Yourself, led by Plymouth Culture. The programme uses creativity, storytelling and shared experiences to help people build deeper connections with Plymouth Sound. Major projects including Let’s Sea Your Tatts, And Breathe and Through My Eyes encouraged people to explore their personal relationship with the sea through art, culture and creative expression. Alongside community projects and artist commissions, the programme has also helped strengthen links between culture, wellbeing and the marine environment, showing that connecting with the sea can happen in many different ways.
Around 10,000 volunteer hours given back
Marine Park volunteers have contributed close to 10,000 hours helping care for Plymouth’s waterfront. From repainting Tinside Cove and supporting the Lido refurbishment to environmental monitoring, heritage activities and community events, volunteers continue to be at the heart of making the Marine Park a welcoming and vibrant place for everyone. Around 100 active volunteers now support the Marine Park’s work, with many taking on leadership roles and developing specialist skills. The lasting impact is clear too, with 71% of volunteers saying they gained new skills through their involvement, while 92% of participants found programmes accessible, helping ensure opportunities to connect with Plymouth Sound are open to as many people as possible.
Looking ahead
The past year has shown what’s possible when communities, partners and organisations work together. With improvements at Mount Batten and Mount Edgcumbe on the horizon, alongside the growth of the Stay Salty campaign, and much more! Plymouth Sound National Marine Park is continuing to create more opportunities for people to access, enjoy and care for the sea on their doorstep.
Together, these achievements represent thousands of meaningful moments, stronger connections to the sea, and a growing sense of pride in Plymouth’s National Marine Park.