We Explored An Abandoned Fort off the Coast of Britain

That gatekeeper is good at his job. Very informative

Hi, it's Bob here I filmed this with Dan a couple of years ago and have carried on my research since then but just to answer a couple of things that came up in the comments. The MoD or Govt never owned the Island it was in the hands of the Duchy of Cornwall since the late 1200's and was returned to them when the military left in 1963. It was then leased out to various organisations during the Adventure Training years from 1963 to 1989. When the centre closed it was put for sale and finally bought by Dan McCauley in 1996 for a little shy of £300k. Dan didn't get planning permission until 2017 so the Island couldn't be developed until that point although Dan admitted he could have looked after the Island better. Dan was ill by this stage and the Island was put up for sale by the family - it was Dan's project and the rest of the family had other interests and couldn't devote the time required to the Island - and bought by Morgan Phillips in 2019 with the planning permission. Although he has opened the Island up there were no funds to develop the Island when I stopped working for the Phillips last October. Just fulfilling the pre commencement conditions on the planning permission including repairing the sea wall at the back, the collapsed boatshed and repairing the pier will cost millions and has to be done before any other development can take place. Sad to say it doesn't look like the Island will get developed under the current owner unless he can attract substantial funds from investors. If you would like to read more about the Island I'm on facebook - search for the history of Drake's Island - and I have a blog at https://historyofdrakesisland.co.uk/ which covers all sorts of Island related history from surveys going back to the first fortifications, the children born on the Island, brandy smuggling, a master gunner defrauding the Govt and absconding to America and lots more. Happy to answer any replies on here as and when I get time.

My mum and dad met because HMS Ark Royal grounded off Drakes Island @ 1961. My dad got shore leave and was able to go to his brothers wedding where he met my mum.

As a 12 year old my friends and I camped over night on Drakes island, there are numerous tunnels below, one is blocked halfway to the mainland! we had many a great time during the summer holidays. How did we get there....by canoe! Hide and seek in the tunnels....wonderful times!

Bob really seems to care for the island and it's history, he did a fantastic job presenting it.

That guide is amazing, well done to him!

The gate keeper is amazing! I'd love a tour with him as the guide, I'd be more interested than Dan

I had a week here when I was about 16. We did abseiling, canoeing,rock climbing and sailing!!! Absolutely loved it!!!!

The excitement and love that gatekeeper has for drakes Island is palpable, and reassuring to know that its in safe hands and rightly so.. Fantastic watch this thank you

Bobs knowledge is evidently phenomenal! Very interesting!

1st scuba trip Bovy 1978..came back with 2 large cannonballs just off Drakes Island,still got em!

Soooo much history here, every effort to preserve this place should be made !!!!!!

Have lived in Plymouth for over 15 years and cant wait to one day check out this island.

I used to stare out at this Island imagining it as my escape point for a zombie apocalypse. Still a good spot IMO

I was lucky enough to spend two weeks on the island back in 1973 with the adventure training group so got to explore the whole place it was fantastic Thank you so much for bringing back some wonderful memories

Bob is an incredible guide!

Used to live in plymouth & heard many wild stories about drakes island. Great video, very nostalgic!

Probably the most educated gatekeeper in history

Fantastic detail from the Guide, what an interesting chap. I spent a week sailing climbing and canoeing when it was an adventure camp 1970s Lovely memories

Great video. Wonderful island and tour guide.