Golden Hinde replica, River Thames 1971

The Golden Hinde is a full-scale replica of the famous 16th-century ship captained by Sir Francis Drake during his historic circumnavigation of the globe. Moored along the River Thames, near London Bridge, it serves as both a floating museum and an educational centre, offering a vivid glimpse into Elizabethan seafaring life.

⛵ The Original Golden Hind

• Built: c. 1577

• Captain: Sir Francis Drake

• Original name: Pelican (renamed Golden Hind mid-voyage)

• Voyage: The ship became famous for completing the second circumnavigation of the globe (1577–1580) and returning laden with treasure seized from Spanish ships.

• Legacy: A symbol of Tudor maritime power and England’s emerging role as a naval force.

🛠 The Replica

• Built: 1971, in Devon

• Designer: Loring Christian Norgaard, a US naval architect

• Construction: Crafted using traditional shipbuilding techniques

• Launched: 1973

• Materials: English oak, elm, and pine, with period-authentic rigging and detailing

This accurate reconstruction of Drake’s galleon was built not just as a static exhibit but as a fully functional sailing ship.

🌍 A Ship That Sailed the World

The replica Golden Hinde has sailed over 140,000 miles, visiting ports across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, retracing elements of Drake’s journey and visiting the Americas, Japan, and Australia.

It arrived in London in 1996, where it has been permanently moored at St Mary Overie Dock, just south of the Thames near Southwark Cathedral and Borough Market.

🎓 A Living Museum

The Golden Hinde today serves as a hands-on historical attraction, offering:

• Guided tours and school visits

• Costumed interpreters explaining life aboard a 16th-century galleon

• Live re-enactments and overnight experiences for children

• A focus on the harsh realities of Tudor seafaring, including cramped conditions, navigational tools, and the challenges of long voyages

📍 Visiting Details

• Location: St Mary Overie Dock, Cathedral Street, SE1

• Nearest Tube: London Bridge

• Nearby attractions: Southwark Cathedral, Borough Market, the Clink Prison Museum, and the Globe Theatre

• Open to the public: Yes, with scheduled tours and events year-round