Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SIR FRANCIS DRAKE
Sir Francis Drake (1540-96) was a man with a dashing image that belies a complex reality. To Tudor England he
was a hero, explorer and adventurer. To his Spanish counterparts he was 'Drake the master thief'. He was also in-
volved, albeit briefly, in slavery when he sailed with his relative, John Hawkins; the first English captain to ply
the triangular 'slave trade'. In 1580 Drake sailed into Plymouth aboard the
Golden Hind,
having become the first
man to circumnavigate the globe. His vessel was full of treasure looted from Spanish colonies, securing the fa-
vour of Queen Elizabeth I and the money to buy Buckland Abbey (
Click here
)
on the outskirts of Plymouth.
Eleven years later, Drake (legend has it) calmly insisted on finishing his game of bowls on Plymouth Hoe, despite
the advancing Spanish Armada. The first engagement happened just off Plymouth, the second at Portland Bill -
eventually the Spanish fleet was chased to Calais and attacked with fire ships. Many escaped but were wrecked
off the Scottish coast. Drake died of fever in 1596 while fighting in Spanish territories in the Caribbean and was
buried at sea off modern Panama. His statue, which looks more dignified than piratical, stands on Plymouth Hoe.
Activities
Swimming
Tinside Pool
MAP
SWIMMING
( 01752-261915;
www.plymouth.gov.uk/tinsidelido
;
Hoe Rd; adult/child £3.90/2.80; noon-6pm Mon-Fri, from
10am Sat & Sun late-May-early-Sep, from 10am daily in school holidays)
Taking a dip at this jazz age,
open-air swim-spot is an unforgettable experience. Its 1935, art deco design sees cream
curves and light-and dark-blue tiles sweep gracefully out from the foot of the Hoe. Plunge
into the chilly salt water to join the regulars doing laps and the youngsters larking around
beside the fountains, then recline on a sun lounger on the circular rim, looking straight out
over Plymouth Sound.
Boating
Along with the following Barbican-based firms, the Cremyll Ferry (
Click here
)
also
provides another great boat connection to Cornwall.
Plymouth Boat Trips
MAP
(Barbican Pontoon)
The pick of this firm's trips is the 30-minute blast-across-the-bay to the
quaint, pub-packed Cornish fishing villages of Kingsand and Cawsand (adult/child return
£8/4, four daily mid-April to October). They also offer one-hour harbour cruises (adult/
BOAT TRIP
