Explore Royal William Yard this Christmas. Surrounded by the water, featuring beautiful Grade 2 Listed Royal Naval victualling buildings and studded with bars, restaurants and interesting things to buy, it’s a must visit.

Festive food

If you’re looking for some amazing places to enjoy a Christmas meal or drink this year, the Yard is the place to go! With seasonal, local and wild treats from River Cottage Canteen & Deli, the popular French eaterie Bistrot Pierre, Wildwood - plus favourites like Seco Lounge, Prezzo, Las Iguanas, Wagamamas, Le Vignoble and light snacks at Rockets and Rascals - the festive season can be packed with food treats for you and the family.

Fab and unusual gifts

The Yard has some fab and unusual things to buy from homeware to fashion, gifts and art through to beauty, wine and lots of foodie goodies perfect to fill those festive stockings! Cornish Interiors’ pop-up shop at Mills Bakery is packed with fantastic and unusual home and interior pieces. They will also be running Christmas wreath-making workshops and Christmas shopping nights. ID Fashion offers affordable designer fashion, jewellery, shoes and bags. Explore Ocean Studios where 90 artists practice, and find gems such as Mark Fielding Artist and Nikki Taylor Sculpture.

who offer inspiration for that special Christmas gift. Martin Bush’s gallery is packed with stunning and unusual art. Pop into Envy for a range of great hair and beauty ideas to make your season stylish. Or if culinary treats are your thing, Wildwood’s deli, River Cottage and Le Vignoble are packed with beautifully presented food and drink gifts.

The Yard Christmas Wonderland Market - 4 Dec, 10am til 6pm

Don’t miss The Yard’s Winter Wonderland! Our ever popular Christmas Market will be back - but this time it’s bigger than ever, packed to the brim with Christmas foodie treats, including turkeys, mince pies and mulled wine. However this year promises to be even more special - with free live Christmas children’s interactive experiences presented by theatre group Far Flung, plus opera singer Amelia Whiteman will sing Christmas songs for families, complete with a special guest. There’ll also be a lantern- making workshop beforehand and dusk-time lantern parade - with some additional surprises and special Christmas ‘happenings’ all round the Yard to amaze and entertain the children. Don’t miss it!

Santa by lifeboat! 4 Dec, around 5pm

As usual Santa will make an extra special appearance at the Yard, when he arrives with the high tide by RNLI lifeboat on 4 December in the late afternoon. Last year, Christmas’ biggest celebrity was mobbed on arrival - and this year promises to be no different - don’t miss him - and help contribute to the RNLI!

Getting here

If you can’t hitch a ride on Santa’s sleigh boat, come via the Royal William Yard Ferry, take the bus - Plymouth Citybus services 34/34A - or cycle to Royal William Yard. There is also paid for parking at the Yard - plan ahead here: www.royalwilliamyard.com/getting-here.