The remains of an abandoned hulk located along the river’s edge(Image: Scarlett Hills-Brooks/Plymouth Live)

Eerie ship graveyard in UK lake where abandoned vessels from across the world lie

Radford Lake is home to a haunting graveyard of ships

by · PlymouthLive

If you've ever visited Radford Lake, you'll likely have noticed the ghostly shipwrecks that pepper the serene landscape, some of which hail from far-flung corners of the world.

The Plymstock park, with its 2.5 hectares of land, offers a modest yet picturesque setting. The park extends to the neighbouring Radford and Hooe Lakes, which serve as a chilling graveyard for abandoned ships.

Numerous vessels seem to have run aground or been left to decay in the shallow waters, their skeletal wooden remains the only testament to their past. This secluded spot is favoured by dog walkers and anglers, but otherwise, an uncanny tranquillity pervades the misty waters.

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Radford Park itself is nestled within the grounds of the former Radford House, a graceful Tudor edifice once inhabited by the Harris family in the 19th century, who were close acquaintances of Sir Francis Drake.

This protected wildlife area holds significance due to its hosting the largest concentration of hulks west of the River Exe. It's suggested that this section of Plymouth houses between fourteen and seventeen vessels.

While some are no longer visible for various reasons, many large dilapidated sea vessels and shipwrecks persist.

As per The Ships Project, the remnants of over 30 vessels can still be observed today - and it's speculated that there may be additional hidden ship remains buried in the mud.

The Ships Project website reveals: "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 recedes."

"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 so it is a great place to explore our maritime heritage."

Don't miss our gallery below.

The boating graveyard at Radford Lake, Plymstock(Image: Scarlett Hills-Brooks/Plymouth Live)
The bare shell of a former French trawler. The algae covered beams sit right up against the shore(Image: Scarlett Hills-Brooks/Plymouth Live)
The remains of an abandoned hulk rests in the middle of the lake, looking out towards the local community(Image: Scarlett Hills-Brooks/Plymouth Live)
A deeper look into the skeleton of the French trawler hidden under the mud, it sits so close to dry land that you could take a stroll into the bowels of the ship(Image: Scarlett Hills-Brooks/Plymouth Live)
The 19th Century towers of Radford Castle overlook the graveyard of ships and the vast waters of Hooe Lake which stretch into the distance(Image: Scarlett Hills-Brooks/Plymouth Live)