Drake’s Island

Drake’s Island is a small island in Plymouth Sound off the coast of Plymouth in southwest England, historically used for coastal defence and garrisoning. It is also traditionally referred to as St Nicholas’s Island and contains extensive military works.

The island’s most visible features are its layered fortifications, including artillery batteries, casemates and subterranean passages added and modified from the Tudor period through the 20th century. The fortified positions reflect its long use in controlling access to the harbour.

Decommissioned as an active military site in the 20th century, the island has seen occasional civilian reuse and limited public access via organized visits rather than regular commuter ferry services.

Drake’s Island sits in Plymouth Sound close to the city of Plymouth’s waterfront in southwest England, separated from the Hoe and breakwater by a short boat crossing.

• Names and use: The island is traditionally known as St Nicholas's Island and is commonly called Drake's Island in reference to Sir Francis Drake; it has been fortified and used for coastal defence across several centuries.
• Access: Public access is by boat only; the island has been the subject of occasional guided tours and events rather than continuous public ferry service.

What to See #

• Fortifications: Extensive 16th to 20th century military fortifications including batteries, casemates and tunnelled passages that occupy much of the island's interior.