Bankside

The Golden Hinde - St Mary Overie Dock Bankside

This beautiful recreation of Sir Francis Drake's famous ship sits in dry dock just behind Southwark Cathedral.  Drake sailed around the world in his little boat, and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth 1st.  She was delighted - not only because she recognised Drake's magnificent achievement in being the first person to sail around the world, but also because she had financed the "trip" herself and was rewarded with tons of gold bullion and precious stones, "relieved" by Drake from the Spanish galleons he raided......

The Golden Hinde can be visited most days - there are lots of things for kids to do and see and to experience how an Elizabethan sailor would have lived below decks - what they would have eaten, and how they would have done such basic things as going to the loo.....

The Golden Hinde - photo courtesy D Burgess

Nearby is Southwark Cathedral where Edmund Shakespeare - the playwright's brother - and John Harvard founder of Harvard University USA are buried.

Nearest Tube station - London Bridge.

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