For a unique and memorable child's birthday party, it would be hard to beat the Golden Hinde, a real galleon berthed on the Thames. Read about one lucky boy's swashbuckling sixth birthday bash

The Golden Hinde is an accurate reconstruction of Sir Francis Drake's Tudor Galleon berthed on the Thames in Bankside. The ship is run as a living history museum, offering a full-time schedule of educational programmes suited to schools and families.

Ship ahoy!
The ship can also be hired for private functions, and one chilly November day, 15 five- and six-year-old pirates marched on board for Captain Charlie's sixth birthday party. From the moment the two (female - you go girls!) pirates took the children into the bowels of the ship, they were transported to a fabulous swashbuckling adventure. The next hour and a half was spent hunting for treasure, listening to tales on the high seas and indulging in all kinds of piratical games.

Whilst this was going on, a handful of the parents were given refreshments in the Great Cabin - which is actually quite small. We had around 12 people in the cabin and it was a bit of a squash, but quite fun.

Food for buccaneers
The birthday tea takes place off the ship, and the pirate entertainers led the children in an orderly marching fashion a few yards along the lane to the Pirate's Den (a room with a banqueting table large enough for around 20 kids). The party fare was sandwiches, sausage rolls, crisps, biscuits and fruit - perfect for six-year-olds (and a vast improvement on the burgers, chicken nuggets and chips, which is the current in-vogue catering for kids' parties).

A quick burst of the birthday song, cake and blowing out of candles and it was time to deliver the children back to their guardians, along with party bags filled with pirating products from the Golden Hinde shop.

If you're in the London vicinity, the Golden Hinde is a dream party venue for any would-be Captain Hook, Peter Pan or Tinkerbell. The ship is amazing and the low ceilings, creaky boards and strange smells help you imagine seafaring days of yore. Charlie received the highest praise from one of his classmates: 'This is such a cool place - I really wish this was my party.'

The price for a two-hour pirate birthday party is £355 for 15 children. Visit www.goldenhinde.co.uk or call 08700 11 8700 for booking information.

Regular events on board
The Living History Experience involves children, parents/teachers spending a night aboard the Golden Hinde, wearing period dress and experiencing the lives of officers, gunners, sailors or barber surgeons. Elizabethan characters train participants in many aspects of life at sea with Drake, including cannon drills, early navigation and 16th century medicine. The Living History Experience can be booked throughout the year (see www.goldenhinde.co.uk for dates and prices).

The ship is a popular and unique venue for all occasions: from corporate functions to weddings, press or product launches.

The Golden Hinde is open daily for self-guided tours, but visitors are advised to check opening times, as the ship is sometimes closed for special events.

Opening times
Summer (1 March - 31 October) Open 7 days a week 10am - 6pm (last admissions 5.30pm)
Winter (1 November - 28 February) Open 7 days a week 10am - 5pm (last admissions 4.30pm)
Closed 24 December - 3 January

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Pirate party on the Golden Hinde