The Club was formed in 1914 for outdoor Lawn Bowls. It was a gentlemen-only club until 1947 when a ladies section was formed. The indoor Short Mat section was formed in 1987.  There is a seven-rink outside green together with three rinks for Short Mat in the Clubhouse.

Facilities include men’s changing room, ladies’ changing room, visitors’ changing room, equipment store and machinery shed together with a Clubhouse which includes a licensed bar, kitchen and toilets with an outside patio area.

The Club is named after Sir Francis Drake, as he was born in 1542 at a farm one-mile from the site of the Club.  He became famous as a seafarer and, in 1588 when the Spanish Armada was sighted sailing up the English Channel, it is alleged he was playing bowls on Plymouth Hoe when he decided to finish his game before setting sail with his fleet to engage the invaders.  A monument to his memory stands not far from the Club.

The Outdoor Bowls season commences in April and finishes in September with the Short Mat running from September to April (although casual play also continues through the summer).  Both sections play League and Friendly matches against other Clubs during their seasons, as well as playing internal competitions.

Fees for 2025 are:

Outdoor – £110.00 pa

Short Mat – £60.00 pa

Social Member – £8.00 pa