If you ever take a Thames river cruise you may notice an old sailing ship of the type that looks like its out of Pirates of the Caribbean, moored in a dock on the south bank of the Thames, kind of hidden away between a office block and a large pub. This is the full size replica of Sir Francis Drake’s ship The Golden Hinde.
Its a fully working ship where you can take guided or self guided tours. Its open to the public seven days a week from 10am-6pm but the guided tours, led by actors in period costume of the time, seem to be only on selected days during the summer months. Check with their website ahead of time if you want to get a guided tour, both cost £5.50.
Sir Francis Drake is one of England’s most famous seafarer’s who defeated the Spanish Armada and completed the second circumnavigation of the globe between 1577-80 in the original Golden Hinde. After Drake’s death the Golden Hinde was berthed at Deptford in London as a memorial to him but eventually rotted away.
The replica of the Golden Hinde was the idea of a man running a San Francisco harbour tour company and was designed by a naval architect from Marin County. It was launched in England in 1973 and sailed to San Francisco and then across the Pacific and Indian oceans and back to the UK. Its now berthed at St Mary Overie Dock, on the south bank of the Thames close to London Bridge. If you cross the bridge from the north side you’ll the back end of the ship a few hundred yards along the bank. To get there take the first set of steps you see after crossing the bridge and walk past Southwark Cathedral, the road will lead you to the dock.
Tickets for self guided tours can only be bought on the day from the Golden Hinde shop which is a few yards down Clink Street, the narrow street running west from the front of the ship. The nearest tube is London Bridge, come out of the station, cross the road and follow your way to the river on the far side of the cathedral.
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