Efford: an eastern suburb of Plymouth
Efford is a large suburb on the eastern side of Plymouth, in Devon. It began as a historic manor in the old parish of Eggbuckland. The Domesday Book of 1086 lists it as Elforde. Plymouth later absorbed the land, and it grew into a mostly post-war suburb.
The district stands on high ground, roughly 300 feet above the Laira estuary of the River Plym. As a result, many streets enjoy long views. Dartmoor lies to the north, while the South Hams stretch away to the east and south-east.
Before the houses arrived, locals knew the area as the Wilds of Efford. It was largely open countryside and marsh land. A street called Deer Park Drive hints that a deer park may once have belonged to the manor.
The name itself may come from a river crossing. For example, the Devon historian Tristram Risdon suggested it meant Ebbing-Ford. Travellers could once cross the Plym here at ebb tide, although much of that river has since silted up.
Homes and history in Efford
Most homes here belong to the local authority or to housing associations. Because the suburb is mostly post-war, many properties share a similar age and layout. That consistency helps an installer plan a survey, since fewer surprises tend to come up.
Part of Efford carries the name Little America. During the build-up to D-Day, the American army occupied much of the area. From 1945, an estate of American-supplied prefabricated houses went up there.
Builders replaced those prefabs with modern houses in the 1970s. However, the street names stayed, including California Gardens and Oregon Way.
Efford also has a military past. Efford Fort formed part of the ring of Victorian forts known as Palmerston’s Follies. Meanwhile, the city opened Efford Cemetery in 1907, and the City Crematorium followed within it in 1934. The cemetery holds Commonwealth war graves from both world wars.
What an installation here tends to involve
In a post-war suburb, most jobs are a standard split system. The outdoor unit usually sits on a rear wall or in a garden. Pipework then runs through the wall to an indoor unit, ideally by the shortest route. Our guide to installation timing explains when booking early tends to pay off.
For a rented home, the landlord has the final say. Therefore, tenants in council or housing association homes should get written permission before any work goes ahead. The landlord may also have rules on where an outdoor unit can sit.
Efford’s raised position means some homes face open, exposed ground. For instance, a wall that catches the wind may not be the best spot for an outdoor unit. Similarly, neighbours close by may hear a unit placed next to a shared boundary. Raising both points at survey stage keeps the fitting simple.
Coverage as part of Plymouth
Efford is about 2 miles by road from Plymouth, around 5 minutes’ drive. It counts as part of the wider city, not as a distant outlying town. Air conditioning installation in Plympton covers another Plymouth suburb nearby. So do our Stoke installation page and our Devonport installation page, on the city’s western side.
Getting matched in Efford
Send one enquiry and we match your address with one pre-qualified installer who works here. It costs nothing and commits you to nothing.
Use the contact form to send your address and job details. You can also read about installation first if you would like to know what to expect. Air conditioning installation costs are covered separately.