Plymouth is fantastic for shopping, with some fine shopping experiences awaiting any students lucky enough to be living there – read on to find out the best stores around…
Plymouth shopping centre
Plymouth shopping centre? Well, it has to be Drake Circus. Situated in close proximity to Plymouth University campus and Plymouth College of Art, this shopping outlet has all the favourites for you to choose from. Offering late night shopping, a scattering of food and coffee options and a varied selection of shops from H&M to Waterstones.
Plymouth Late Night Shopping
If you are looking to do some late-night shopping in Plymouth, Drake Circus, the indoor shopping complex popular for shops and restaurants, stays open until 8pm on Thursdays.
Discover Plymouth’s unique independent shops
Shopping in Plymouth isn’t all about the shopping mall though. There are a number of treasures to discover for a local, independent shopping experience. Need that perfect gift to take home to the parents for birthdays, Mother’s or Father’s Day, or as a ‘just because’ kinda gift? Look no further!
- Bud on Hyde Park Road and Nook Houseplants on Southside Street are two of our favourite places for last-minute gifts for parents, sprucing up a kitchen or breathing life into bedrooms.
- PRIME – Plymouth’s independent skateboard store, found on Commercial Road. Operating since 2008, PRIME sells all the well-known skateboarding brands including DC, Etnies and of course Vans.
- Barrel & Still – Suppliers of distinctive drinks from around the world. They are reasonably priced, supply local products, and are always a place where you can find rare and hidden gems. Perfect for a present for the parents!
- Plymouth Market – The market has been open since 1959. Located on Cornwall Street, the Market is open 6 days a week. With shops and stalls selling everything from food and treats to fashion and arts and crafts. A few Tudor Price favourites are Tea & Bun, A Taste of Thailand and The Shellfish Deli.
- Who doesn’t like chocolate?! Head to Cafe Amor, previously Chocaccino for delicious handmade chocolates and explore The House That Jack Built, home to an eclectic collection of shops selling gifts. Both can be found on Southside St.
Plymouth Christmas Shopping
With shops galore ranging from the big popular brands to unique independent stores like those listed below, Plymouth is the perfect destination for getting your Christmas shopping done. If you are a student living in the city, getting your Christmas shopping done in Plymouth before heading home for Christmas is a great idea – there’s a huge amount of choice which makes it one of the best UK destinations for buying gifts for the family for Christmas.
Plymouth Late Night Christmas Shopping 2026
If you are busy during the day, late night Christmas shopping in Plymouth is the perfect solution – and you can also take in the city’s fantastic Christmas lights.
Despite cutbacks leading many town and city councils to cancel their Christmas lights for 2026, luckily Plymouth’s shoppers have avoided the same fate. Crowds typically gather on the Piazza in Plymouth City Centre to see the spectacular Plymouth Christmas lights switched on for the first night of late night Christmas shopping, which will be mid-November 2026.
And Plymouth shops stay open late every Thursday night until Christmas – simply unmissable if you are staying in or just visiting the city during the festive season.
Plymouth Christmas Market 2026
There’s nothing like a traditional Christmas market to make Christmas shopping an extra special experience, and Plymouth Christmas Market is no exception. Plymouth’s 2026 Christmas Market is likely to be the biggest ever.
In addition to a wide range of stalls selling Christmas gifts and decorations, there’s a fantastic selection of food stalls too, where you can sample a huge range of festive cuisine – and festive drinks too.
Where is Plymouth Christmas Market?
Plymouth Christmas Market is located in the heart of the city at The Piazza in Armada Way.
When is the Plymouth Christmas Market for 2026?
Plymouth Christmas Market dates for 2026 are yet to be confirmed.
These were the confirmed opening times for the 2025 Plymouth Christmas Market, with daily opening scheduled in the run up to Christmas:
- Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 10am till 7pm
- Thursdays: 10am till 8pm (late night shopping nights)
- Fridays and Saturdays: 10am till 8pm
- Sundays: 11am till 5pm
Plymouth Christmas Market Entertainment
As well as festive market stalls, there is some fine entertainment laid on for all to enjoy. The Plymouth live music scene is thriving at any time of year, but the Christmas market adds its own flavour to proceedings, with some great music acts and community groups performing live daily, including:
- local choirs,
- steel bands,
- jazz singers
- and folk music.
Is Plymouth good for student shopping?
Plymouth is brilliant for students who like to mix a bit of retail therapy in between lectures, with everything from big-name brands at Drake Circus to quirky independents around the Barbican and the West End. You may not get the same scale as a huge city, but most students find they can pick up everything they need for uni life here without having to trek to Exeter or order every single thing online. When we’re out on viewings, a lot of our tenants tell us they love the balance of having a proper shopping centre plus markets and smaller local shops within walking distance of their student house.
Where do students usually shop for food in Plymouth?
For day‑to‑day food shopping, most students stick to the big supermarkets close to the main student areas, then top up with fresh bits from Plymouth Market or local convenience stores. Plymouth Market on Cornwall Street is especially handy for stocking up on fresh fruit, veg, meat and fish at decent prices, and there are some great street‑food style stalls inside if you fancy treating yourself after a big food shop. If you choose a student house around North Hill, Mutley or the city centre, you will usually have at least one supermarket and several smaller shops within a short walk, which makes it much easier to manage on a student budget without a car.
Where can I buy homeware and uni essentials in Plymouth?
If you arrive in Plymouth and realise you have forgotten half your uni essentials, Drake Circus is normally your first stop, with stores selling bedding, towels, kitchen bits and stationery all under one roof. Many of our student tenants also pick up lamps, plants and little extras from independent shops like Bud, Nook Houseplants and The House That Jack Built to make their rooms feel more homely. When we help students choose a property, we always point out nearby shops so you know exactly where to go for the basics like coat hangers and cutlery as soon as you get your keys.
Is there cheap shopping in Plymouth for students on a budget?
Yes – if you know where to look, Plymouth is very student‑friendly when it comes to bargains. Alongside the sales in Drake Circus, you have discount stores dotted around the city centre and great-value food and gift options in Plymouth Market, plus a whole range of charity shops where you can pick up clothes, books and homeware for a fraction of the price. We always encourage students to explore beyond the main high street in their first few weeks, because finding your favourite budget shops early on can make a real difference to how far your loan stretches.
Which areas are best to live in for easy access to Plymouth shopping?
If you want to be able to nip to the shops between lectures, North Hill and the city‑centre side streets are hard to beat, as you can walk to Drake Circus, the market and the Barbican in just a few minutes. Mutley Plain and Greenbank are also popular with our student tenants because you get a good mix of supermarkets, takeaways and independent shops on your doorstep, while still being a short stroll or quick bus ride from the main shopping centre. When you register with Tudor Price Lettings, just let us know how often you like to shop and we can suggest student houses in Plymouth that keep you close to your favourite stores as well as the university campus.
More to discover in Plymouth
As well as some fantastic shopping, Plymouth also offers a fantastic range of student-friendly restaurants, bars, and places to enjoy an afternoon tea. And if you happen to be a student looking for a place to rent in the city, we can help you out there too – take a look at our Plymouth student accommodation available to lease now!
