Golden Hinde (exterior)
the little ship that sailed the world
A full-size replica of Sir Francis Drake's galleon, free to admire from the quayside in a hidden Bankside dock.
Free to visit · Bankside · London Bridge · SE1 9DE
Opening: Exterior viewable any time
Tucked into a small dock just off the Bankside riverside sits the Golden Hinde, a full-size seaworthy replica of the galleon in which Sir Francis Drake became the first Englishman to sail around the world between 1577 and 1580. What strikes everyone is how tiny it is, that such a small wooden ship carried a crew across every ocean on Earth.
Boarding the ship for a tour charges admission, but you can stand on the cobbled quayside and admire it from outside for free, masts and rigging towering over you in a hidden corner of Bankside. It makes a great free photo stop on a walk between Borough Market and the river.
Getting there: At St Mary Overie Dock off Cathedral Street, a couple of minutes from London Bridge or Borough Market.
Best time to go: Any time, on a walk along the Bankside riverside.
Insider tip: The quayside view is free and the best angle for a photo is from the little dock at the bottom of the steps. It sits right on the Bankside walk between Borough Market and Southwark Cathedral, both also free.
Official site: https://www.goldenhinde.co.uk
Free things to do in London · London Free Guide