Following World War II Drake's Island remained under the administration of the War Office, which, despite having announced in 1956 that it was no longer needed for defence purposes, did not finally vacate the island until 1963, when Plymouth City Council obtained a lease from the Crown with the aim of establishing a youth adventure training centre there.
This centre was opened in 1964, the year in which a mains water supply finally reached the island.

On 1 May 1987 the island got its first telephone line, using a cable attached to the mains water pipe.
The telephone number was Plymouth 63393.
The warden had previously used the Ministry of Defence system.
Drake's Island Adventure Centre, under the custody of the Mayflower Centre Trust, operated until 31 March 1989, when the Mayflower Trust surrendered their lease to the Crown and sold off the boats and sports equipment.

In 1995, Drake's Island was put up for sale by the Crown Estate, with an asking price of £235,000, and had numerous offers.
In the end, a bidding war commenced between former Plymouth Argyle chairman, Dan McCauley, and a Cheshire-born businessman who wanted to open it to the public.
McCauley's bid was successful and he bought the island for £384,000 in 1995, with plans to turn it into a hotel complex.
In 2003, Plymouth City Council turned down a planning application from McCauley to build a hotel and leisure complex complete with helipad.

As of 2014 the island contained derelict military barracks and buildings from the Napoleonic era, and an MoD radio mast.
In May 2005 the island attracted British media attention when one of the empty buildings on the island was squatted by a group of anti-nuclear protestors, Trident Ploughshares.

With planning consent secured in April 2017, details were released showing how the Grade II-listed Island House, barracks block and ablutions building could be linked to form a £10 million-plus hotel and spa complex containing 25 bedrooms.
In October 2018, the island was put up for sale for £6 million.
It was purchased by Morgan Phillips for £2m.
Phillips plans to open the island to the public with a museum and heritage centre, thirty years after previously closing.
It was due to open for a one-off tour by 105 visitors on 15 March 2020 but this was cancelled due to COVID 19.
Following World War II Drake's Island remained under the administration of the War Office, which, despite having announced in 1956 that it was no longer needed for defence purposes, did not finally vacate the island until 1963, when Plymouth City Council obtained a lease from the Crown with the aim of establishing a youth adventure training centre there. This centre was opened in 1964, the year in which a mains water supply finally reached the island.
On 1 May 1987 the island got its first telephone line, using a cable attached to the mains water pipe. The telephone number was Plymouth 63393. The warden had previously used the Ministry of Defence system. Drake's Island Adventure Centre, under the custody of the Mayflower Centre Trust, operated until 31 March 1989, when the Mayflower Trust surrendered their lease to the Crown and sold off the boats and sports equipment.
In 1995, Drake's Island was put up for sale by the Crown Estate, with an asking price of £235,000, and had numerous offers. In the end, a bidding war commenced between former Plymouth Argyle chairman, Dan McCauley, and a Cheshire-born businessman who wanted to open it to the public. McCauley's bid was successful and he bought the island for £384,000 in 1995, with plans to turn it into a hotel complex. In 2003, Plymouth City Council turned down a planning application from McCauley to build a hotel and leisure complex complete with helipad.
As of 2014 the island contained derelict military barracks and buildings from the Napoleonic era, and an MoD radio mast. In May 2005 the island attracted British media attention when one of the empty buildings on the island was squatted by a group of anti-nuclear protestors, Trident Ploughshares.
With planning consent secured in April 2017, details were released showing how the Grade II-listed Island House, barracks block and ablutions building could be linked to form a £10 million-plus hotel and spa complex containing 25 bedrooms. In October 2018, the island was put up for sale for £6 million. It was purchased by Morgan Phillips for £2m. Phillips plans to open the island to the public with a museum and heritage centre, thirty years after previously closing. It was due to open for a one-off tour by 105 visitors on 15 March 2020 but this was cancelled due to COVID 19.
Drake's Island