The Golden Hinde Celebrates 30 Years in Southwark with Year-Long Pearl Anniversary Programme
On 14 September 1996, The Golden Hinde sailed into St Mary Overie Dock, welcomed by the community and marking the start of a remarkable new chapter for this full-scale reconstruction of Sir Francis Drake’s world-famous galleon.
Now, almost three decades later, this much-loved Bankside landmark is preparing to celebrate its 30th anniversary with a year-long programme of events, community projects, and heritage initiatives, running from September 2025 through to September 2026.
Celebrating the Pearl of Bankside
To mark this milestone, The Golden Hinde is unveiling a new 30th Anniversary logo, which will be used across all events, communications, and merchandise throughout the year. Alongside this, the ship is embracing the tagline:
“The Pearl of Bankside - For 30 years, The Golden Hinde has been moored on the Thames, a shining treasure in London’s history. Celebrate our Pearl Anniversary with a year of stories, events, and community.”
For three decades, The Golden Hinde has been a living landmark in Bankside’s cultural quarter, alongside Shakespeare’s Globe, Southwark Cathedral, Borough Market, and other heritage and arts organisations. The Pearl Anniversary will shine a spotlight on the ship’s role in Southwark’s vibrant cultural and community life, inviting local residents, schools, and community groups to take part in the celebrations.
A Year of Celebration and Legacy
The year ahead will include:
- 30 Years in the Dock Memory Project - gathering stories, photographs, and memories from former crew, local residents, alumni, and visitors who have been part of the ship’s journey since that day in 1996.
- Community Partnerships - working closely with schools, residents, and local groups across Bankside and beyond to co-create events, share heritage, and celebrate the ship’s place in Southwark life.
- Seasonal Highlights - from school holiday family workshops to the ship’s first-ever Christmas Grotto.
- Annual Membership Scheme - launching late 2025, offering supporters new ways to connect with and sustain the ship’s legacy.
The programme will culminate in September 2026 with a large-scale anniversary weekend and VIP celebration.
Turning the Tide: Preserving the Ship
This Pearl Anniversary also marks a turning point in the ship’s ongoing refit project. After eight years of work, funded entirely through the business’s own income, the next phase will focus on restoring her starboard side. As an independent heritage site, this vital restoration relies on the generosity of our visitors and supporters to keep the work on track - and quite literally to keep the ship afloat for future generations.
To help make this possible, we will be unveiling our “Fill the Dock” fundraising campaign - a bold, visual way to track progress and rally support, ensuring The Golden Hinde continues to inspire for decades to come.
A Southwark Story
The ship’s arrival on 14 September 1996 was made possible thanks to the warm welcome of ANZ Bank, then landlords of the dock and neighbours at Minerva House. That moment anchored The Golden Hinde firmly in the heart of Southwark, where she has since welcomed millions of visitors and become part of the area’s transformation alongside Southwark Cathedral, Borough Market, and Shakespeare’s Globe.
Roddy Coleman, Director of The Golden Hinde:
“When The Golden Hinde sailed into the dock in 1996, we could not have imagined the journey that lay ahead. 30 years later, the ship has welcomed millions of people, taught generations of schoolchildren, and become a living part of Southwark’s story. This anniversary is a moment to reflect on that legacy - but more importantly, to ensure the ship remains here for future generations to enjoy.”
Angus Francis Coleman, Director of The Golden Hinde:
“This year we not only celebrate The Golden Hinde’s 30th anniversary in Southwark, but also begin the next critical phase of her refit. With the community’s support, we will complete this essential work and keep the ship alive as a place of discovery, education, and inspiration for another 30 years and more.”
Looking Ahead to the Next 30 Years
For 30 years, The Golden Hinde has been more than a ship: it has been a neighbour, a classroom, and an iconic landmark at the heart of Southwark. As we celebrate this anniversary, we invite everyone - residents, schools, visitors, and friends across the world - to help us shape the next 30 years.
Watch this space as we unveil more events, initiatives, and opportunities to be part of The Golden Hinde’s story.
Zone
South East