The History of Drake's Island
He who holds the Island holds Plymouth
Sir Francis Drake
Born out of the sea 400 million years ago Drake’s Island has been a place of pilgrimage, a refuge, a fort, a prison, an observatory and an adventure centre. The fortifications have defended Plymouth from the time of the Spanish Armada to the World Wars. It has been the starting point for the voyages of discovery of some of the greatest of our explorers, Drake, Cook and Darwin. Still a place of mystery and rumour discover Drake’s Island and the lives of those that lived there. For the latest Island news including how to book tickets for a guided tour go to Historic Visitor Attraction in Plymouth, Devon | Drake’s Island (drakes-island.com)
LATEST POSTS
The Island, the Three Towns and the Routledges 1851 to 1861
As Acting Bombardier Richard Routledge carried out his duties on the Island in 1851 along with his fellow Gunners and...
The Routledge Family, Plymouth and the Island in 1851
Having researched the 1851 and later censuses on the Island I found that quite a few of the Garrison courted local...
The Island Garrison during the 1851 Census
The 1851 Census, taken on 30th March, showed a total of 91 people living on the Island up from 56 in 1841. 63 were...