Plymouth
Drake's departure point 1577, Mayflower 1620, Devonport is largest Western European naval base and sole Royal Navy nuclear facility. Over 12,000 defense jobs.
Plymouth exists because the Sound provides one of England's finest natural harbors, sheltered by the limestone headland of Plymouth Hoe. From here, Francis Drake sailed to circumnavigate the globe in 1577. From here, the English fleet departed to meet the Spanish Armada in 1588—legend says Drake finished his game of bowls on the Hoe before engaging the enemy. From here, the Pilgrim Fathers departed on the Mayflower in 1620.
The naval dockyard at Devonport, founded in 1690, became the largest in Western Europe. By the 19th century, it maintained the Western Squadron that guarded the approaches to the English Channel. Today, HMNB Devonport remains the sole nuclear repair and refueling facility for the Royal Navy, employing 2,500 service personnel and civilians and contributing approximately 10% to Plymouth's income.
World War II devastated Plymouth. The Blitz of 1941 destroyed much of the city center—Plymouth suffered more destruction than any other British city except London. The postwar rebuild created the modernist Royal Parade, a controversial break from the medieval street pattern.
The city now markets itself as 'Britain's Ocean City.' The University of Plymouth has become a major employer, and the National Marine Aquarium draws tourists to the waterfront. But the defense sector still dominates: over 12,000 people work in defense-related industries, with 7,500 in the armed forces.
By 2026, the Type 23 frigates will be consolidated at Devonport, making it the sole base for the class. The 'Ocean City' tech hub aims to diversify an economy that has relied on the dockyard for over three centuries.