Its future remains unclear
The Golden Hind at Brixham Harbour(Image: English Riviera BID)
A beloved tourist attraction in Devon has closed with immediate effect. The owners of the Golden Hind pirate ship in Brixham announced its closure via social media on Saturday (February 14).
The ship, a replica of the vessel Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the world during the late 16th century, has been one of Torbay town’s main draws for nearly sixty years.
“Unfortunately the Golden Hind is now closed with immediate effect,” Sean Twomey, who bought the boat in 2018 after falling in love with it during a visit with his family, wrote on Facebook.
“This is not a decision we have taken but have higher powers to answer to. We will be posting an update on Tuesday 18:00 regarding the immediate future of the ship.
“It’s been an amazing 8 years at the helm, more ups and downs than Thorpe Park.”
Owners of the Golden Hind Mary and Sean Twomey with their children Jude and Fern.
Although it has mainly operated as a museum, since 2022, Mr Twomey and his wife, Mary, have even offered wannabe salty sea dogs the chance to stay on board the world-famous ship. They converted two storage rooms into bedrooms.
The Golden Hind plays a central role in Brixham’s renowned annual Pirate Festival, which gives people an excuse to dress up and spend the day drinking rum. Its closure will be a significant blow to Brixham, which attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Mr Twomey’s announcement of the closure prompted an outpouring of grief from locals on social media.
Linda said: “So sad to read this, I hope it’s not a permenent closure. It’s part of Brixham, would be soo missed.”
Phillip added: “This is really sad news. The Golden Hind is so iconic and a symbol of Brixham harbour, and given so much joy, fun and learning to so many people and families. I really hope that this can be somehow reversed.”
The decision to close the Golden Hind appears to be a sudden one; as recently as February 5, its owners had been posting adverts on social media seeking part-time staff for 2026.
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