Plymouth - King William's YardClick on a photo for a large version. |
King William's Yard is on the sea front, but quite a bit west of the Hie, with a harbour in between. The best way there is via boat.
The Royal William Victualling Yard was designed to bake over 20,000 loaves of bread, produce 127,000 litres of beer and turn 100 cows into barrels of salted beef each day. Today it stands as the largest collection of Grade 1 Listed Naval buildings in Europe. Since the Royal Navy left the site in 1992 the yard has been redeveloped to provide a historic and iconic setting for contemporary restaurants, galleries, apartments and retail businesses.
You can climb over the wall, and then walk round the Yard back to the front. There is a fort (not connected with the Yard)
We did a short divergence to see Admiral's Hard.
In the early 20th century seafarers far from home communicated with family and friends by telegraph. However messages were charged by the word and long or complicated messages could become very expensive so Captain D. H. Bernard devised 'The Nautical Telegraph Code Book'. In it, one word stood for a particular message. They are supposed to be scattered about the pavement. We did find this one.
In 1882 medical student Arthur Conan Doyle, having received his Bachelor of Medicine and Master of Surgery qualifications from Edinburgh, came to Stonehouse to join fellow ex-Edinburgh student, George Budd, in his practice in Durnford Street. Dr James Cullingworth, who makes an appearance in two of Conan Doyle’s later Sherlock Holmes stories, is said to have been modelled on Budd. Quotations from the world-famous detective stories are mounted in the pavement along Durnford Street and the plaque on the steps of No. 93 commemorates this link. The practice itself was located at No. 1 Durnford Street although the original property has long since gone.
Continuing with the walk:
On Milbay Road, there is a famous order given by Sir John Hawkins to his fleet off Spain in 1564. It is only visible at certain angles. The order reads "Serve God daily, love one another, preserve your victuals, beware of fire, and keep good company."
Another Nautical Telegraph Code Book message!
At the junction of West Hoe Road and Milbay Road, you canh see how John Smeaton's Eddystone Lighthouse was put together using his revolutionary technique of interlocking stone. His lighthouse in fact stood for 123 years and was only replaced because the sea undermined its rock base. The lead nugget within the pattern tells a grizzly tale.
Continuing the walk.
© Jo Edkins 2023