History
Previously named Government House, Admiralty House was completed in 1793 having been built for the Governor of Plymouth. In 1803 it was passed onto the General Office Commanding Western District, a senior role overseeing the military across the whole of the Westcountry.
More than a century passed before the then appointed Commander-in-Chief, Vice Admiral Sir Eric Fullerton, realised how much better this residence was to his own. And so he wrote to the Secretary of the Admiralty requesting a move to Government House: ‘It has a dignified and good approach and the entrance to the Hamoaze is visible from the house. The grounds are more spacious and there is ample room for entertaining’.
And who could blame him for wishing to move?
And thus Government House became Admiralty House. Old Admiralty House was handed over to the local War Department Officers in 1935 and eventually became Hamoaze House, the Headquarters of Major General, Royal Marines, Commando Forces.
Over history the house has witnessed many key events and has welcomed a long list of distinguished guests including; Sir Winston Churchill, Eisenhower, King George V and the Queen Mother.
But beyond the elegance of Admiralty House, a history of military protection has played out. This vital role is no more evident than in the expansive World War II bunker that lies to the south of the grounds leading out to a secure entrance on Richmond Walk. This impressive labyrinth of corridors was constructed to fit into a deep 18th Century moat originally designed to keep the French from invading Stonehouse. Completed in 1941 with seven metre thick reinforced walls this joint service protection HQ could withstand a direct hit from a 500lb bomb. Almost 50 years later, during the nuclear threats of the cold war, the bunker was upgraded. This project saw the vital communication room lined with steel to ensure its electromagnetic protection from a nuclear blast. Despite the bunker’s closure in 2004 and the subsequent removal of furniture and equipment, it is still possible to imagine the bustle of 200 military personnel throughout the old operation and communication rooms, the galley and briefing areas.
A two mile warren of underground tunnels also run underneath the lawns of Admiralty House. Housing radio, telephone, telegraph and voice frequency terminals – these extra-ordinary tunnels were a nerve centre of secret intelligence, particularly during the Falkland War in 1982.
From the lawns of Admiralty House the tales of time are at all sides. The majestic Royal William Victualling Yard is on the left, built in the 1800s and a major depot for The Royal Navy.
Straight ahead across the water is the beautiful country park of Mount Edgcumbe with nearby access via the Cremyll Ferry. One of the historic features of the park, is Barn Pool, a sheltered deep water anchorage from which Charles Darwin set sail on his world renowned Voyage of Discovery in 1831.
Looking west from the grounds of Admiralty House, is Mount Wise Park. Opened in 1893, this park offers glorious views of the Royal William Yard, Mount Edgcumbe and the Cornish and Devonshire countryside that runs along the River Tamar. At the brow of the park, stands the national memorial to the Devonport born explorer “Scott of the Antarctic”, commemorating his expedition to the South Pole in 1912.
Mount Wise is at the heart of a uniquely historical location.
