Plymouth has such a rich history. It also boasts an amazing
list of advocates and pioneers; either calling it their home or going out of
their way to ensure they played a part in the growth of both its social and
economic landscape.
Here at Strathmore House Apartments, we are extremely proud to call Plymouth and Elliot Street our home; and so on this day, that celebrates inspiring women, we look to a neighbour who made not only Plymouth history, but British history too.
Lady Nancy Astor became the first female MP to take a seat in the House Of Commons in 1919, just 100 years ago! Nancy represented the Plymouth ward of Sutton for 25 years. She was also Lady Mayoress of Plymouth during the Blitz.; a lady who had a deep and powerful conviction to help others; pushing for peace, progress and prosperity.
Her ‘Plymouth Home’ was at Number 3 Elliot Terrace. Just a stone’s throw from Strathmore House Apartments. It was designed by George Wightwick, a pupil of John Foulston and built by John Pethick in the 1870’s.
John was a leading Victorian property developer and the property was then acquired in 1908 by Waldorf Astor; when it then became the Astor’s Plymouth home.
The good things we build, end up building us…
Like Elliot Street, Elliot Terrace forms part of Plymouth’s iconic parade of Italianate buildings on the city’s world famous Hoe. And just like the buildings, the occupants of the day have also stood the test of time and are remembered today.
Plymouth is bulging with beautiful buildings steeped in
history, places of both extraordinary beauty but also striking pasts. The area
in and around Elliot Street is no different. Famously standing strong during
the Blitz and being home to some breathtaking moments in time.
A building can be beautiful, but when you understand a little about the part it played in history, suddenly that building becomes epic.
See for yourself…
Join us, come and see for yourself the extraordinary beauty and rich history that Plymouth has to offer; we know you won’t be disappointed.
As many of our guests book to return year on year; we thought we would share some exciting news and dates for 2020.
2020, the year of the Mayflower 400 Celebrations, a year set to be an exciting one for Plymouth and all who visit.
Within the hospitality sector, we are unsure of the ‘true’ impact it will have on Plymouth Tourism and the visitors economy, it’s a once in a lifetime celebration so we have nothing to compare it to!
We therefore don’t know how busy it will be in comparison to other years that you have visited, but what we do know is it will certainly add value to your stay with us here in Plymouth.
Many of our guests have set times of the year that they visit us; but rest assure, no matter when you come in 2020, there WILL be things happening with a Mayflower spin for you to enjoy.
With all this in mind; I thought I would give you a heads up on what we know, and what is planned for the ‘remarkable’ year of history, culture and community!
What is it?
2020 is the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower voyage. One of the most integral journeys in global history and a defining moment in the shared history of Britain, the US and the Netherlands.
Plymouth is using this milestone as a unique opportunity to highlight Plymouth’s exceptional heritage; to promote our visitor offer to friends old and new; and to bring communities together to celebrate our city.
What will be happening?
The ‘Mayflower Programme’ will be a year of prime partnerships, of which Strathmore House Apartments will play a significant role. There will be 400 moments to explore all aspects of the Mayflower Voyage throughout the year of 2020, including: art, music, theatre, exhibitions, immersive storytelling, digital innovation, literature, crafts, sports, festivals, debates, business activities and much more.
Overview…
Major new cultural attractions will open in Plymouth for 2020, including The Box, new heritage trails and the Elizabethan House.
Although still not set in stone, the rough date for these things will be March 2020 for the launch of the trails, April 2020 for the opening of The Box and The Elizabethan House early in the year.
The Box is a £38m project, the symbol of 2020, a high profile gallery and history centre that will hold all of the Plymouth and Devon archives; it will be a must see for anyone visiting Plymouth.
By January 2020, there will have been a huge investment in the public realm, with new signage, water taxis and literature for the years events. There is said to be almost £200m to be invested in Plymouth by 2020. For those of you that love it as it is, please don’t worry; you will not miss the old – you will simply celebrate the newly transformed Plymouth.
You may have noticed seeing Plymouth advertised in your home towns; this is due to the national and international marketing programme. The city has been working hard celebrating not only our history, but also our future.
Signature Events…
Mayflower Ocean Festival | 4th-10 May 2020
This will celebrate Plymouth’s status as Britain’s Ocean City, aimed to get people on the water (inc events such as Transat, OSTAR & TWOSTAR races and Pirates weekend)
A four nations civic ceremony. This will be a united, city event, with mass participation throughout sectors, communities, schools and all over the city.
Celebration event of the world’s foremost Navel basis; there will be a host of activities that will be truly breathtaking.
Illuminate will be the book end to the events in November 2019 and November 2020
An there’s more…
Culture…
A production from the Theatre Royal Plymouth from the Wampanoag Tribe; this will be extraordinarily good as they are an amazing producing theatre, plus Arts Council England are supporting a series of events throughout the year.
Culture Fund have also given investment to the city to create provoking experiences throughout the year. Settlement by The Consious Sisters and Cannupa Hanska are creating a large scale ‘radical’ installation in Central Park, it will run for 8 weeks in the summer exploring colonialism, migration and the deep effects of indigenous people.
A local favourite; Street Factory CIC will be bringing the city together with Hip Hop events. Le Navet Bete (a brilliant comedy/clowning theatre company) will be at the Barbican Theatre in August and September for a HILARIOUS production about 4 people trying to flee their past lives. They are BRILLIANT and a real must see! There will also be three major artist events which will profile people of colour in the art sector.
In May, June and July there will be ‘Mayflower Music’ at historic venues in Plymouth, including St Andrews and The Guildhall.
There will be lots of film and video commissioned in art venues and community spaces and there will of course be Pride 2020 and lots more!
As you can see, the city that we all love will be full of vibrant and rich events and activities, many free to attend and all set to be totally inspiring.
We would love for you to join us in 2020, our apartments are listed on our website to give you time to book and plan your trip, and we will update everyone with as much information on the year as we can.
If you would like to keep in touch with the developments as they happen; follow them on Twitter and Like them on Facebook!
To a year of celebrations; to seeing you again soon!
Here at Strathmore House Apartments we pride ourselves on offering a quality experience for both our leisure and business travellers, in a city we love to call home.
As the end of the first month of 2019 draws to an end and we step closer to 2020, we are having more and more conversations with our guests about the Mayflower 400 celebrations, and what it’s all about!
Strathmore House Apartments offers a great home away from home for guests visiting Britain’s Ocean City. We welcome thousands of guests and enjoy helping them explore our city and our rich history.
We ask Elinor Eaton, our Development Manager, to give us her take on both the planned Mayflower 400 celebrations. To see what she thinks the future holds for Plymouth looking through the lens of ‘Mayflower400’.
She says:
“I think firstly we must acknowledge Plymouth as a city. We saw a tremendous influx of repeat leisure and business travellers in 2018. And we continue to see that in our bookings this year and next. We can’t put this purely on them finding our accommodation – as wonderful as it is – it’s as much to do with Plymouth really shining at the moment.
The work that brilliant organisations such as Visit Plymouth, University of Plymouth, Theatre Royal Plymouth and the Real Ideas Organisation do (to name just a few of course!) is truly remarkable. It’s a privilege to have worked in a city, across all sectors, for the last 20 years and to have experienced first-hand the united sense of pride and passion; as well as the courage and confidence to continually make positive change happen for our city.
By working together as a city, across all sectors, collaborating in the truest of senses, we have passionately and skilfully placed Plymouth on the national and international map for all to see and enjoy. What we are being told by our guests more and more is that Plymouth is a ‘vibrant, inspiring and beautiful destination’.
Strathmore House Apartments offers the space, comfort and overall brilliant experience for our guests, but we are extremely grateful for the dedication of organisations that share our pride for Plymouth. Those who all work so hard to make it shine.
That is ultimately why people want to come to Plymouth to work and play in the first place.”
Here at Strathmore House we are asked on a weekly basis by guests:
‘What is Mayflower 400?’
We are also asked if it’s something they should come back for and if so ‘when’ should they plan to be in Plymouth during 2020.
Elinor explains:
“Sometimes it’s too easy to forget that people don’t all know about Mayflower 400.
It’s so close to our hearts here in Plymouth. Many of us are living in and around it daily. Sometimes we forget to stop, share our successes and celebrate with those outside of our everyday circles.
2020 marks the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower from Plymouth UK to Plymouth Massachusetts. It set sail just moments away from Strathmore House Apartments!
These were an incredibly brave group of people that now have more than 30 million US citizens who are their descendants!
There are still dates and events that are being planned that we don’t know about; but what we do know is it will be a spectacular year of celebration.”
A city blessed with hidden gems and wonderfully rich history, it’s easy to see why people want to explore Plymouth, but we ask Elinor:
“What impact do you think the last 400 years will have on the next?”
“Success breeds success. The harder we all work to make tomorrow better than today, the greater the springboard that will connect us to an even stronger social and economic climate.
I think that more and more people are seeing the city transform; both tangibly (with the landscape changing and developing) but also with how we as ‘locals’ see our city.
2020 has given us a moment in time in which as businesses, organisations, individuals and communities we have the ability to unite and make positive change happen.
Change is sometimes a blessing, but it’s often a conquest. 2020 is our magic moment as a city; a moment that will offer visitors an amazing lens to see Plymouth through, and create real advocates for the future. But it’s also a moment that encourages us all to realise our dreams for the future of Plymouth. What will the next 400 years look like and will we be looked back on as the Pilgrims of our time? I hope so.
All we can be certain of is that like Plymouth in the past; Plymouth in the future will be proud to welcome new friends to our city. And when we watch them leave see them carrying with them fabulous memories of Britain’s Ocean City.”
There is no question, if we could all be guaranteed a couple of weeks a year when we can all diarise the time to take off together we would. Ok, so we would also all diarise non-moody teenagers, tantrum free toddlers and partners with patience – but time at least is something most of us can manage!
Easter is the perfect time to get away; it’s a reward for getting through the first part of the year, and the springboard that connects us to summer being just around the corner!
Staying at the Strathmore House Apartments makes so much sense; it is the perfect home away from home for all the family!
PLUS…Strathmore House Apartment guests get to use Club Continental for FREE!
Meaning parents can have some chill time in the sauna and steam room; and children can have some fun time playing in the heated indoor pool.
Steve’s Brasserie is also just a moment away from the apartments and based in our sister hotel; the New Continental. Great for families, as they not only have an amazing pizza oven (see here for offers) they also have a great children’s menu.
Outside Strathmore House Apartments…
Plymouth as a city offers so much to see, do and be part of. There are lots of free activities as well as theatre fun, the National Marine Aquarium and MUCH, MUCH MORE!
The Theatre Royal Plymouth has these amazing shows coming up this Easter, and it’s just a two minute walk from the apartments:
Saltrum House is an amazing National Trust House & Garden. It was once a home to the Parker family and is now a home to lots of wild animals.
You could easily spend one or two of your days in Plymouth exploring the park, dressing up in the house or finding out all about natures ‘Grand designs’. There is an infamous Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt too.
Easter Egg Hunt | 24 March – 8 April | 10am to 4pm.
£2 per hunt. Normal admission prices into the house and garden apply. There is no admission charge for Under 5s and National Trust members.
Plymouth by Foot & Bike is an amazing FREE activity. Given our cities history; there have been many famous people walking the Plymouth cobbles. Follow in their footsteps of these infamous explorers, pioneers and artists and walk the Southwest coast path from Royal William Yard to the Barbican.
You will encounter iconic naval buildings, breath-taking views over the natural harbour of Plymouth Sound and the intriguing characteristics of the former towns and villages that make up this original marine city.
Also on route are lots of Cafés, restaurants and bars such as The Mission as well as Smeaton’s iconic tower, the Mayflower steps and The Hoe Promenade.
Getting Here By Road…
A city that is easily accessible, the road trip here is good too! And if you want some tips on how to survive ‘The Family Road Trip’, staff at the New Continental Hotel have shared some of their own survival tips! They have added some great printable resources too!!
With so much to see and do; check our availability or contact us for more details?
The start of a new year can often bring with it big, bold, brave new decisions…like relocating!
They say that moving is one of the most stressful things; but fuse that with moving to an entirely new city and things can feel terribly overwhelming.
Fear Not!
Here at Strathmore House Apartments we have worked with individuals, businesses and families who are thinking about Plymouth being their new home.
Over the last 10 years, we have grown to understand all too well that it’s a big step to relocate for work or pleasure. Whether you already have a job offer or are just taking the plunge and moving to look for work in another town or city – it can be really tough.
Yet still, even if you’re relocating for pleasure, to be with family or friends, it still can be hard; to lose the things you are familiar with. Not just friends but also the sense of routine, that scalextric track we all get far too used to driving or walking, the vista, the short cuts, the where to get your hair cut!
Yes, it can be tough, terrifying and totally daunting, but it’s also an extremely exciting time: a time we love to be part of.
Be it that you are striking out on your own, with your family or to start a new career; exploring a new city brings so much opportunity to explore you – as well as a new city!
Meeting new people, experiencing a different place, stumbling on hidden gems; there is so much to look forward to.
How Do We Help..?
A place to call home
In the past, we have had people stay for a month or two; to make sure that before any final decisions are made they are certain that Britain’s Ocean City, is the city for them.
As serviced apartments, we have a flexibility that really works for people relocating. We all know that moving house, be you buying or renting is never straightforward. A date can change three or four times easily. With our 2 nights to 2 year or more attitude we are open, willing and able to offer you a home no matter how many times the dates change. So although still annoying, we will be your safe place, where you can close the door and lock yourself away from the frustrations!
We arrived at the Strathmore in November, as the property we were purchasing was still not completed for us to move into! We were met by Ali, who from the first meeting was very welcoming and made our stresses much more bearable! Ali continued to support us even with the uncertainty of when we would actually leave, nothing was too much trouble at all. The housekeeping staff were extremely efficient, so lovely to come home to a beautifully cleaned apartment with an abundance of towels for our needs. The apartment we had was amazing, four good bedrooms with amazing views of the Sound and our new property! Would recommend for this accommodation for any use, business, holidays or simply temporary home, which was our situation. Thank you to all and especially Ali! Julie, Rik and Family
TRIP ADVISER
New Friends
With our friendly, local knowledge you will always be guaranteed a warm family welcome and a happy information centre for all your local knowledge needs! Doctors & Dentists but also places to eat, explore and learn about our beautiful city and its rich history.
Incredible location on the Hoe, very close to the Barbican, it has an express Tesco market next to it. Apartment is spacious and very clean with all necessary equipment. Very good and reasonable prices, spent almost 2 months there. I would recommend it to anyone as a family, friend or business trip stay, short or long. Excellent services and help provided from Ally is a wonderful host, manager and apartment operator. I came from Saudi with my 2 year-old. Ally made sure everything was available and needed and pops by to see how your doing. She basically makes you feel home away from home (two thumbs up).
TRIP ADVISER
For you to be reading this, Plymouth has probably already captured your heart. We know how easily our city can do that! Still haven’t made your mind up? Do you need a little taster of what living and working in Plymouth might be like? We can help. Here are some links and clips that may just help make your mind up.
Plus, if we can help in any other way, we would love to be one of the first to help welcome you to our spectacular city.
Helpful Links
Great videos with ‘real’ people telling their ‘real’ stories about Plymouth.
Sometimes, all you need is a family holiday. It can work wonders for your family dynamic to just take a few days out and have some down time. Some time to relax and unwind and reconnect with each other again.
Not only as parents do we need to step off the treadmill, but our children need to see us a little more care free from time to time too, at our best and at peace some might say.
Being free from the demands of a hectic schedule, housework and ferrying from club to club; quality time together, it’s a real tonic.
If you are thinking that it’s time in 2019 to reduce stress levels and connect as one again, we have just the solution.
Cost doesn’t have to be high to have a relaxing getaway, and to safe the stress in the planning; we have done the hard work for you!
Below you will find links to some great family sites and family fun activities in and around Plymouth. With our low prices and so much to do; Britain’s Ocean City makes for the perfect family holiday destination.
Perhaps your Christmas Tree and it’s needles are now slumped in your garden ready for the next dry weekend to be removed to the tip..?
Maybe you are down to the last crumbs of Christmas Cheese and the chocolates that nobody liked..?
Whatever the post Christmas blues look like; the days are dark and dreary and somehow the air just feels deflated.
FEAR NOT! We have the perfect solution. No. REALLY WE DO!
Thanks to social media, we have memory reminders flashing through our fingers (or thumbs!) throughout the year. But how about you set yourself a new memory making challenge, ready for the most amazing Family Newsletter ever sent!
Creating a family newsletter can be a fun way to stay in touch with your friends and far-flung family, but also to record moments that could so easily be forgotten. It’s something you can do as a family, and a way that the magic in the moments that you make throughout the year, can stay for a lifetime, and beyond.
At Strathmore House Apartments, we LOVE being part of peoples memories and so we wanted to help inspire, and perhaps be part of something, that the entire family can roll up their sleeves and be a part of.
Our Challenge/Suggestion!
Keeping a family scrapbook may sound old school; but we figure if Champion and Fila can make a come-back, so too can the good old scrap book surely!
By keeping an active scrapbook that documents memories both big and small, you will have a record of your year that you can keep on a shelf – not just in the clouds!
Photos, maps, receipts, bottle tops, pictures; you name it. It can all go in the scrapbook to cherish. In isolation pretty insignificant, in your family scrapbook a fantastic time capsule of what your clan’s been up to. Keeping moments alive; but also a great reminder when it comes to writing your family newsletter in the New Year of 2020!
2020 is one heck of a milestone year. The mark of a significant new chapter. How wonderful would it be to have something that boasts about your families whereabouts, adventures and triumphs the year before 2020, the year of 2020 and the year after 2020?
It could be first days at School, College, Uni even. First Car; First bike (maybe first girlfriend…eek!!).
This amazing book of family wonder will help you keep your memories alive, but also there to share with future generations. Noting what may at the time seem like not much, but in the future will be your family history gems.
An activity for the whole family to help out with; and have fun with; even your pets perhaps!
Make it pretty. Make it fun. Make it all about you!
If the Kardashion’s can – so too can you! Let’s not let January make us grey – let’s put some colour back in our days and start a new, fun, family project!
Make the memories. Share the memories. Keep the memories. AND if at all possible – let us be part of them too!
For many of us though, the thought of doing Christmas away from home feels somewhat underwhelming. After all, for many of us the best part of Christmas is not leaving the house, just being altogether in your family home.
But for others, Christmas away from home makes perfect sense. Whether it’s spending the festive season cosying up in a cottage in the country, or staying with us in our seaside apartments; jetting off to spend Christmas away from the ‘normal routines’ is what can make.
Trudi and Mike and their two children do just that, and we ask them what it is that they love about…
‘Being away For Christmas’
“It’s a well earned break away after a long year. We both have jobs that mean throughout the year we get very little time off altogether. Throughout the year we have to take alternate holidays to cover child care, so Christmas really is the only ‘real’ time all four of us have as one.
We never go to the ends of the earth, it’s always an hour or two away in the car, but for us it makes all the difference. We aim to be away for a day or two before Christmas Eve and then return home a day or two after Boxing Day.
Once there, we still have a tree, great food, songs and Christmas films; we FaceTime or Skype family scattered around the world on Christmas Day and we explore wherever we are on Christmas Eve. We wander around and look at the Christmas Lights and try and find Carol Services and a Panto.
When you are away from Christmas you are more focused on the people you are with, rather than things. For us it’s just how we like it and our very own, unique tradition.”
Our Tips For Having A Magical Christmas Away From Home…
Stay Connected:
When staying away from home, make sure you remember your chargers!! It may sound basic, but packing for a Christmas Road Trip can make you forget the most basic of things, write a list and check it twice!
Check that wherever you are staying has reliable Wi-Fi. It may be freezing outside; but you want to avoid screen freeze inside on Christmas Day when you are trying to Skype Aunt Mable!
Dec The Halls:
Check that the accommodation are happy with you putting up a tree and decorations. We are, but we have heard that some places prefer you not to decorate. They may suggest that you sign a waiver or give a larger deposit. That would be in case you caused any tinsel damage!
Local charity shops are great for decoration bargains, that you can then donate back – this saves lots of room in the car, perhaps just take a few items that are sentimental to take. Choosing them, filling up the basket together is great fun, what’s more, you can kit you home away from home up for less than £10!
Being Local:
You can find a lot out about the city/town you are visiting by following your accommodation provider on social media. Like us, many will share news and events. But also things like where and when local chemists are open over Christmas. Useful, local information.
Father Christmas:
If you have young children, a really nice idea is to send ahead a letter from Santa. The staff can have waiting on the pillow of their bed. It’s a magical way of them knowing straight away that he has the right address. We love getting involved and helping to make memories and often do these kinds of touches.
You could go one step further and wrap everyone matching pyjamas! It could be a welcome present or Christmas Eve gift. Why not post that ahead too. It could be there waiting for you when you arrive!
From Us To YOU:
Whatever you do, be you at home or away, we all wish you the most magical of Christmases. And a VERY Happy New Year.
We were so interested in the Business Travel Show’s news this week. They revealed that almost a third of corporate travel buyers increased their use of serviced apartments in 2018. In 2017 just over 20% of business travellers chose serviced apartments as their preferred accommodation provider; compared to 35% this year.
When these ‘road warriors’ were asked why they chose apartments, they had many reasons why. The number one reason though was “better value for money”. This was then followed by the convenience of self-catering as an option, more space, flexibility and better working conditions.
Strathmore House Apartments | Plymouth
Here at Strathmore House Apartments, we have found that many stay again and again with us as they love our location and feel our relationship, openness to accommodate bespoke requests and flexibility allow them the real ‘home from home’ experience.
The report also shared that a number of buyers allocated 51-100 per cent of their budget to serviced apartments, with 1 per cent claiming to spend their entire accommodation budget on this option.
The number of buyers who didn’t use serviced apartments dropped from 42 per cent in 2017 to 32 per cent in 2018, whereas the proportion not using sharing economy accommodation options such as Airbnb rose from 38 per cent to 45 per cent. Furthermore, the number that haven’t used five-star hotels also went up slightly from 28 per cent to 31 per cent.
David Chapple, event director of the Business Travel Show, said: “These are pretty extraordinary statistics that prove the industry is making considerable headway in raising awareness of serviced apartments as valid and valuable alternative accommodation for business travellers. Not only are more buyers aware of serviced apartments as an option, they also appreciate the pros they offer to their travellers and are much more open to including them in their travel programmes.”
James Foice, CEO of the ASAP, added: “I am delighted to see a 29 per cent increase in corporate buyers booking serviced apartments this year compared to 2017. The landscape is rapidly evolving for the serviced apartment sector and we’re seeing a significant increase in supply year on year.
“This year, in particular, we have found that more and more companies are booking two-bedroom or two-bathroom apartments, as colleagues will often share the apartment, making it a more cost-effective choice as well as giving employees working away from home some companionship. A two-bedroom option also provides privacy and collaboration space under one roof.”
