Plympton, is an ancient stannary town: an important trading centre in the past for locally mined tin, and a former seaport.

It is centred on a Norman Castle and still retains its Medieval layout. It became a Stannary town, able to test and market tin from Dartmoor.

The town was the birthplace and residence of the world renowned artist, Joshua Reynolds. Reynolds was Mayor of Plympton, as well as first president of the Royal Academy of Art.