The Gatehouse website record for Plymouth Drakes Island

In the civil parish of Plymouth. In the historic county of Devon (Modern Authority of Plymouth; City of, 1974 county of Devon).

Drake's Island, known in medieval times as St Nicholas' Island, has been fortified since 1548 to safeguard the approaches to Plymouth. The first recorded fortification on the island is the conversion of St Michael's chapel into a bulwark and fort. The earliest remains are the base of a 16th century artillery tower, which formed the main defensive work until demolished in 1750-1779. The defences were improved in the late 16th century and early 17th century; the seawall dates from the 17th century or earlier. Most of the present coastal batteries date to the major alterations of 1862-1869, however two pre-Royal Commission gun emplacements are still present. (PastScape)
It was garrisoned until after the Second World War and then in 1964 it was leased to the National Trust.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SX469528

Sources of information, references and further reading

This site's English Heritage (PastScape) Defra or Monument number is 437587
Further information may be available from the holder of the county Historic Environment Record. In particular 'grey' literature, such as watching brief reports, held by H.E.R.s is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded in this website, or elsewhere.

Most of the sites or buildings recorded in this web site are NOT open to the public and permission to visit a site must always be sought from the landowner or tenant.

The information on this web page may be derived from information compiled by and/or copyright of English Heritage and other individuals and organisations. All the sources given should be consulted to identify the original copyright holder and permission obtained from them before use of the information on this site for commercial purposes. I do not receive any income from this site and I fund it myself.
The bibliography owes much to various bibliographies produced by John Kenyon for the Council for British Archaeology, the Castle Studies Group and others.
Suggestions for finding online and/or hard copies of bibliographical sources can be seen at this link.

It is an offence to disturb a Scheduled Monument without consent. It is a destruction of everyone's heritage to remove archaeological evidence from any site without proper recording and reporting. Don't use metal detectors on historic sites without authorisation.

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