Ship Museum Archives – URBAN-ADVENTURER

July 4 2026

Full Scale Replica of Magellan’s Ship has Docked at St Katharine Docks – Nao Victoria

Urban Adventurer Exhibition, Experience on the go, Historical Places, Summer, Things to Do, Unique Experience Ferdinand Magellan, Floating Museum, History Enthusiast, History Lover, Magellan, Nao Victoria, Replica Ship, Ship Museum, St Katharine Docks, St Katharine Docks London 0

Nao Victoria is a full scale replica of Magellan’s ship that circumnavigated the globe, and you can board and walk around.

@urbanadventurerldn

[BLOG POST IN BIO] 🌊⚓️ 𝙉𝙖𝙤 𝙑𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙖 is a full scale replica of Magellan’s ship that circumnavigated the globe, and you can now board and walk around Nao Victoria Foundation built the replica of the Victoria in 1991 and in 2004 it embarked on the same ambitions journey as Magellan in 1519: to circumnavigated the globe 🌏 The ship sailed 26,894 miles and visited 17 countries before returning to Seville, Spain in 2006. Thus, Nao Victoria became the first replica ship to circumnavigate the globe. 📍 Where St Katharine Docks’ central basin (Nearest station is Towel Hill) 🗓️ When 30th June – 12th July 2026 The ship is open between 10am – 8pm daily. 🎟️ Tickets Tickets are available online or on the spot Adult ticket: £10 Child ticket: £8

♬ The Epic Adventure – SoundGrenade

Nao Victoria – A Floating Museum

Nao Victoria in London

Photo: Urban Adventurer

In 1519 Ferdinand Magellan and five ships, including the Victoria, left Seville to reach the Spice Islands and open a new trade route for Spain. This was the first recorded trip around the globe opening a new chapter in the rise of global trade.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

During the voyage, four of the five ships was lost or returned to Spain early. Only Victora completed its journey. Victoria left Seville in 1519 with 243 crew members and returned to Spain in 1522 with only 18.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Magellan never returned from this voyage as he was killed by local warriors at the Philippines on the 27^th April 1521. He got a poisoned arrow to his leg before the warriors surrounded him and stabbed him to death.

Left without a captain, Victora was commanded back to Spain by Juan Sebastian Elcano.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Nao Victoria Foundation built the replica of the Victoria in 1991. The long process was carried out by ship designer and builder, Ignacio Fernández Vial who used original documentary sources, chronicles, iconography and nautical treaties from the 16^th century to rebuild the ship as accurately as possible.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

The ship was named Nao Victoria (the word ‘nao’ is an old-fashioned Spanish word for large sailing ship or vessel) and embarked on the same journey in 2004 as Magellan’s Victoria in 1519.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Starting from Seville, Nao Victoria circumnavigated the globe, sailed 26, 894 miles and visited 17 countries before returning to the same city in 2006. Thus, Nao Victoria became the first replica ship to circumnavigate the globe.

Since 2007, Nao Victoria has been carrying out its own project as a floating museum, training ship and Ambassador of the First World Tour, symbol of the Spanish maritime history.

Practical Info

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Address

St Katharine Docks’ central basin

(Nearest station is Towel Hill)

Opening Times

30^th June – 12^th July 2026

The ship is open between 10am – 8pm daily.

Tickets

Tickets are available online or on the spot

Adult ticket: £10

Child ticket: £8

Ready for your next adventure? If you’re interested in history, you’ll love this hidden museum. Museum of the Order of St John tells the story of an ancient order established by knights and still operating today under the same logo. Make sure you not just visit the free museum but also book one of their walking tours because you’ll get access to a crypt, the beautiful St John Priory Church, the Council Chamber and more.

July 14 2020

The First English Ship That Sailed Around the World – The Golden Hinde

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Ahoy, adventurers and welcome aboard of The Golden Hinde, the full-scale reconstruction of the very first English ship that sailed around the world.

Maybe The Golden Hinde is a reconstruction and is now operating as a ship museum, it has just as rich history as the original one.

The Original Ship and Sir Francis Drake

The ship originally was named as Pelican and circumnavigated the planet under the leadership of Sir Francis Drake between 1577 and 1580.

Elizabeth I secretly commissioned Sir Francis Drake to set off on an expedition against the Spanish colonies on the American Pacific coast. Drake sailed with five ships, but by the time he reached the Pacific Ocean in October 1578 only one had been left, Drake’s flagship the Pelican. Drake later renamed the Pelican to Golden Hind in honour of his patron Sir Christopher Hatton. (Source: https://www.goldenhinde.co.uk/ )

Sir Francis Drake was feared and was known as “El Draque” (The Dragon) by the Spanish in the Caribbean. Drake took significant part in the Anglo-Spanish war in 1587. He destroyed 30 Spanish ships assembled against the British. One year later, he was a vice admiral in the fleet that defeated the Spanish Armada.

(Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/drake_francis.shtml )

In 1595 Drake started a treasure hunting expedition to India but he never returned. He became severely ill and died on sea. He was burred at sea in a coffin in full armour.

Some still search for his coffin even today.

The Current Ship

Sadly, the original Golden Hinde was left in Deptford dockyard to decay in the 17^th century.

The current ship was constructed by Loring Christian Norgaard, a Canadian architect, who spent years studying historical manuscripts and evidence referring to The Golden Hinde.

The replica was launched in the Spring of 1973 and had just as adventurous life as the original one.

The ship has crossed the Atlantic two times, circumnavigated the planet one time, run over 100,000 miles and appeared in movies such as Swashbuckler (1976) and Shogun starring Richard Chamberlain (1979).

The Golden Hinde Today

Today The Golden Hinde is operating as museum ship and visitors can discover the ship from bow to stern.

The ship can even be private hired for birthdays and other private events. Music events, quizzes and educational programmes are also available to book.

Volunteering

The ship is continuously maintained to preserve its condition. The Golden Hinde team is happy to accept volunteers with diverse skills. If you are interested in volunteering, email them to [email protected]

**Where to Find The Golden Hinde?**

St Mary Overie Dock, Cathedral Street, London, SE1 9DE

Admission fee:

Adults £5

Children (3 – 16) £5

Family of 4 £15

Under 3s Free

Both self-guided and guided tours are available. NO pre-booking necessary.

Enjoy your time. Fair winds and following seas!

Ready for your next adventure? Let’s sail to the marine oasis, St Katharine Docks and lose ourselves in the maze of ships and boats.