HOOE & RADFORD LAKES

In a small inlet off Plymouth Sound lies a tidal lake and a freshwater lake in the grounds of Radford Park. In the park is an Arboretum of many diverse trees and shrubs which has been created to not only preserve the area but to act as a haven for wildlife. It is an area of great historic importance which was frequented by such worthies as Sir Francis Drake & Sir Walter Raleigh, who, on a high tide would sail in to Hooe Lake and land their treasures transporting them to Radford House for safe keeping.

Radford House in the grounds of Radford Park and Hooe Lake was home to the Harris family from Tudor times. Raleigh & Drake were good friends of the Harris family who were bankers, they often stayed at Radford House and had many financial dealings with them. The defeat of the Armada in 1588 was cause for great celebration in Plymouth and Christopher Harris duly hosted at Radford House the victory banquet in honour of Drake, Raleigh, Howard, Hawkins and the other Captains. The Seafarers gold & silver blocks, monies and riches were often deposited at Radford House before being divided up between Queen Elizabeth, themselves and the ‘hangers on’. Raleigh on the other hand was less fortunate, later being imprisoned at Radford House before being taken, locked in the Tower of London and eventually be-headed for treason.

It is thought that Hooe or Radford Lake has been a place where boats have been abandoned for centuries. It is a likely spot and has all the requirements, mainly that the Lake is shallow and tidal so boats can be abandoned at high tide yet still accessed when the tide receded. The lake is sheltered from all but the worst weather and the owners of the foreshore allowed boats to be abandoned there. There is access by road so salvaged ships' timbers and fittings can be carried away as the ships are dismantled. The remains of more than 30 vessels can still be seen in the lake and there are likely to be the remains of others hidden under the mud