Plymouth Sir Francis Drake Statue, Plymouth, South Devon
One of Plymouth's most famous inhabitants and first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe
Plymouth Sir Francis Drake Statue is located on Plymouth Hoe, close to Plymouth Smeaton's Tower with views across Plymouth Sound. Plymouth Hoe is said to be where Francis Drake was playing bowls when the Spanish Armada approached England. Drake was the famous Elizabethan sailor who was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe.
Below the statue is a plaque which reads: 'Francis Drake sailed from Plymouth on December 13, 1577, to begin the 'famous voyage' during which he traversed the Strait of Magellan and discovered Drake Passage south of Cape Horn. Drake then sailed the Golden Hinde north and in June 1579 landed in California; he took possession of that region for Queen Elizabeth naming it Nova Albion. He returned to Plymouth September 26, 1580, having circumnavigated the globe. Drake was knighted aboard the Golden Hinde at Deptford in the presence of Queen Elizabeth on April 4, 1581.'
Location of Plymouth Sir Francis Drake Statue
We've positioned Plymouth Sir Francis Drake Statue on Google maps. Zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location.
Plymouth Naval Memorial is nearby
Plaque reads: 'In honour of the Navy and to the abiding memory of these ranks and ratings of this port who laid down their lives in the defence of the Empire and have no other grave than the sea and their comrades of Australia, South Africa, Newfoundland, India, Pakistan, Ceylon, Fiji, Gold Coast, Hong Kong, Kenya, Malaya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Burma whose names are here recorded.'
Tavistock and Buckland Abbey
See also the Tavistock Sir Francis Drake Statue in Tavistock on the western border of Dartmoor National Park. Drake was born on the outskirts of Tavistock.
We'd also recommend visiting Buckland Abbey (National Trust) which was him home after he made his fourtune and fame.
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