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Home , John Robinson (pastor), Mayflower, Mayflower Compact, Speedwell (1577 ship), William Butten

Mayflower Explorer Explore & the journey of the Pilgrims

Follow the journey of the Mayflower Pilgrims from the beginnings of Separatism in rural England, their time 10 – day tour can be tailored to individual requirements in Holland and the story of the Mayflower Ship and her Master, through the south coast ports to - Tour may start and finish at any destination. The story begins in their final departure point for the New World. Nottinghamshire. A story of courage and conviction, secret worship, Independent traveller growing persecution and the start of an epic journey that would establish the . Suitable for groups

Tour Guide Advised Tour Highlights:

• Visit the villages and churches of Scrooby, Babworth & Austerfield that There is rail access to most were home to radical Puritan congregations and where Bradford and destinations. For the full national Brewster shaped their beliefs itinerary, we recommend escorted tours. Some areas would require a driver guide. • Explore Gainsborough Old Hall, one of the best preserved medieval manor houses in England London Plus • Walk the cobbled streets of historic Lincoln, see King John’s 1215 Magna Carta whose influence is seen in the Mayflower Compact and the American Bill of Rights All London and regional airports. Including East Midlands, Doncaster Robin • Visit Boston Guildhall and the cells where the fleeing Pilgrims were held Hood, Humberside, Birmingham, Exeter. and tried • Visit Immingham from where the Separatists escaped to Holland • Travel to , Holland where the Separatists spent many years • Go in search of Pilgrim in Worcester & Droitwich Spa • Explore the Port of where the Mayflower ship was built and her Master Christopher Jones lived • Follow the journey of the ship to her home port in London and explore historic and Southwark • Explore the port city of where the Mayflower and ships prepared for voyage • Visit Dartmouth where the Mayflower and Speedwell ships stayed whilst undergoing repairs Steering our future, • Stand on the Mayflower Steps in Plymouth, the city from where the Mayflower ship and her passengers finally departed on 16 September 1620. Day 1 Mayflower Roots Scrooby, Babworth, Austerfield, Gainsborough

The leading religious Separatists who on the Mayflower but did not live to Lunch & Coffee Stops voyaged to Holland and then on to reach the New World. A Delft tiled mural The attractive towns of Retford and Bawtry America in 1620 were originally from commemorates Butten. Explore nearby offer a range of cafes, tea rooms and ‘Pilgrim Country’ – the counties of Bawtry, a 12th Century ancient port and restaurants Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and today an attractive market town with Yorkshire where a culture of independent places to eat, shop and stay. The Pilgrim Fathers Inn, Scrooby thinking, passion and tolerance shaped Ye Olde Bell at Barnby Moor – a famous old their beliefs. Discover the roots of the Gainsborough Old Hall posting house Mayflower voyage in the villages and Explore Gainsborough Old Hall. A fine Gainsborough Old Hall – catering for towns where the future leaders of the example of a large timber framed medieval groups and individuals. and signatories of the manor house, the Hall was home to the Mayflower Compact, William Brewster Hickman family who were sympathetic and William Bradford lived, worked and to the Separatist movement and allowed Tours & Guides worshipped with Rev Richard Clifton and regular meetings to be held here. John Pilgrims & Prophets – Christian Heritage learn how preachers John Smyth and Smyth preached at the nearby All Saints Tours – individually designed to suit your , founders of the Baptist church before fleeing to along needs movement, met in secret with other non- with non-conformist Thomas Helwys Mayflower Maid – Guided tours with conformists and eventually fled to Leiden. who was raised in nearby Nottingham historian Sue Allen who has exclusive rights and with whom he created the Baptist to access to the grounds of Scrooby Manor, Retford Town denomination. Helwys later returned to William Brewster’s home. Begin your day in Retford town (with London where, incurring the wrath of the Brackenbury’s Britain - Guided walks a mainline railway station). Visit the king, he died in prison. Time permitting, Bassetlaw local history museum and pick extend your stay and visit All Saints up local information at the “Retford Hub” Church and the Memorial Accommodation Suggestions before travelling to the Pilgrim towns and Church – now a URC church built by the villages. in 1897. John Ye Olde Bell Hotel and Spa at Barnby Moor Robinson was ‘Pastor of the Pilgrims’ and Best Western, Retford Babworth Church led them in Leiden. The White Hart Hotel, Lincoln Discover many interesting items recalling the Pilgrim Fathers including a silver Immingham chalice and with annotations Discover the story of the Pilgrims’ from 1603, both used by Richard Clifton. desperate flight to Holland, in 1608, from Closely connected with the origins of Killinghome Creek now Immingham Dock. religious separatism this is where Richard Visit the Monument in Pilgrim Park and, in Clifton preached. nearby St Andrew’s Church, see the grave of Francis Hawkin who died before the Also nearby St. Wilfrid’s Church, Scrooby boat departed. A Dutch ship and captain Sit in the original wooden pews at St. were commissioned for the voyage and Sturton Le Steeple Wilfrid’s Church. Brewster had long been when most of the men were on board, the Visit the birthplace of the first Baptist, attracted by separatism and was fined captain, fearing the approaching troops, John Smyth, who attended the same for non-attendance at St. Wilfrid’s Church fled out to sea abandoning the women school in the Church as John Robinson, where he was likely baptised and married. and children. Stranded the group were Pastor of the Pilgrims. imprisoned until, with nothing left to cede to the authorities, they were released and The Manor House, Scrooby finally arrived safely in Holland. Among Doncaster Point of interest. The former home of the last to arrive in Amsterdam were John Where it is thought William Brewster William Brewster where the Scrooby Robinson and William Brewster. went to school. Doncaster has a range of Separatist congregation met in secret. facilities and services and is well known Now a private home. for its horse racing.

St. Helena’s Church, Austerfield Epworth William Bradford, the second Governor of Discover the fine Queen Anne style the Colony was baptised in St Helena’s Epworth Old Rectory, childhood home of Church in the font which can still be John and Charles Wesley, leaders of the seen today. Austerfield Study Centre is 18th century Methodist Revival movement; adjacent to the church. ‘Butten Meadow’ the nearby St. Andrews church and St. is named after who sailed Pancreas church at Wroot.

Find out more at www.Mayflower400UK.org Day 2 Mayflower Roots & Magna Carta Lincoln, Boston – Lincolnshire

Head to the nearby city of Lincoln to from England in the Autumn of 1607; the Lunch & Coffee Stops see 1215 Magna Carta, then onwards to memorial to their courage at Scotia Creek Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa. Boston from where the Pilgrims made and the “Stump”, St Botolph’s Church. their first attempt to escape to Holland. Between Lincoln & Boston steeped in Here the Rev John Cotton attracted people history this timber framed hotel is the perfect lunch stop. Lincoln City from far and wide to hear his sermons Explore the cobbled streets of the historic challenging the established church and inspiring the later 1630s migration of city of Lincoln, see Lincoln Castle, home Tours & Guides to King John’s 1215 Magna Carta and visit some 300 Bostonians to America. the magnificent Lincoln Cathedral, once Blue & Green Badge guides available on the tallest building in the world. This group of powerful and educated request. individuals shaped the colony and Tours of the Boston Guildhall & Boston established the first American school, the Stump available (pre-booking required). Boston Guildhall & Market Latin Free School, based on the original Town Boston Grammar School, as well as being Visit the Guildhall in Boston where the involved in the formation of the college Accommodation Suggestions Pilgrims were held and tried following that grew to become Harvard University. The White Hart Hotel, Boston. Groups their unsuccessful attempt to escape welcome. Elms Farm, Boston. Luxury self-catering.

Day 3 The beginnings of the ship Harwich,

Travel from Boston to Harwich then on to Lunch & Coffee Stops London. Try some fresh Harwich lobster at The Alma Inn and Dining Rooms, serving since Harwich the 1850s but once the home of Master Explore the historic port town of Harwich Jones’ first wife or dine at the waterfront with a self-guided tour or meet with the venue, The Pier. Harwich Society guides who provide guided walking tours. Tours & Guides The port of Harwich is synonymous with Harwich ships and has provided access to and from mainland Europe for generations of Harwich Mayflower Project travellers and traders and it was here that the Mayflower ship was built for Master Christopher Jones, an established mariner. Accommodation Suggestions See the Captain’s House and the full-size Stay in London overnight or in Harwich replica ship being built by the Harwich at The Pier Hotel, Harwich. Boutique Mayflower Project. independent hotel and dining

Tours of Harwich Guildhall are available with prior booking.

Find out more at www.Mayflower400UK.org Day 4 Mayflower and London

London, Rotherhithe & Dissenters such as cleric John Greenwood Lunch & Coffee Stops and , whose ideas would Southwark The Mayflower Inn, Rotherhithe have inspired the Pilgrims leaving London Rotherhithe on the River Thames was in 1620. Bustling Borough Market offers an eclectic the port of the Mayflower. From here she range of restaurants and street food slipped her berth in 1620, close to the Spend time in stately Southwark Cathedral Range of riverside restaurants and pubs location of the present Mayflower Inn, en- and see the tomb of Shakespeare’s brother near the Globe Theatre provide great value route to Southampton to meet up with the and the John Harvard Chapel, dedicated home-cooked food. Speedwell. This is to where the Mayflower to the local boy who went on to endow returned in 1621 and was finally broken up. Coffee shops and restaurants in and around Harvard University. the Tate Modern Visit St Mary’s Church, Rotherhithe, where Southwark Cathedral Café Experience the life of a 16th century the reverend Thomas Gataker, a man of explorer aboard the Golden Hinde, a full- puritan leanings, may well have influenced sized reconstruction of the ship Sir Francis Master Christopher Jones’ decision to take Drake used to circumnavigate the globe Tours & Guides on the perilous transatlantic voyage in his between 1577-80. Blue Badge and Green Badge guides ship, Mayflower. Jones had based himself available in Rotherhithe from 1611, his children were Join the “groundlings” at the reconstructed Self-guided walking tour of Rotherhithe. baptised at St Mary’s and his body buried Globe Theatre and watch Shakespeare’s in the churchyard. River cruises timeless tales performed in the open air. Walking tours Relive the gruesome history of The Clink Museum, the prison where those refusing to obey the religious laws of Accommodation Suggestions would find themselves. Overnight in London.

Find out more at www.Mayflower400UK.org Day 5 The Speedwell & Mayflower Southampton

Travel from London to Southampton Today, the city has very well-preserved Lunch & Coffee Stops (1 hours 30mins direct train or 1hour town walls and an old town quarter which The city offers an extensive range of cafes, 45mins by road) the Pilgrims would still recognise. pubs and restaurants from the Dancing Man micro-brewery through to the Grand On into the evening, enjoy lively Southampton Café where the first-class passengers on entertainment at the city’s Mayflower Follow the Mayflower to Southampton, the Titanic took their refreshments before Theatre – the largest in the south of the Gateway City, where for centuries their departure. people have arrived or left England to England. trade, to fight wars, to seek refuge or flee from persecution. Now a vibrant and Tours & Guides diverse city, it offers an impressive cultural SeeSouthampton tour guiding group experience. Southampton Tourist Guides Association See the Tudor House and Garden and Blue Funnel day or evening cruises around the Medieval Merchants Hall. Visit the Southampton’s busy docks including the Seacity Museum, hear of the city’s role departure point of the ill-fated Titanic. in the tragic Titanic story and learn more SteamShip Shieldhall is open to visitors and about the port’s status as the ‘gateway to runs sailings on selected dates through the the world’, with stories of Roman traders, summer. Saxon settlers, Huguenots seeking refuge Private Driving Tours and glamourous ocean liner passengers heading across the Atlantic and around the world. Accommodation Suggestions Overnight in Southampton city centre in the A thriving sea port in 1620 when the Grand Harbour Hotel or the Holiday Inn. In Mayflower and the Speedwell with its contrast, the Hilton Ageas Bowl Hotel and passengers from Leiden met here and Spa offers countryside views and an 18- prepared to set sail together directly to hole golf course. America.

Find out more at www.Mayflower400UK.org Day 6 & 7 The Mayflower Departure Dartmouth & Plymouth

Dartmouth This working military establishment Lunch & Coffee Stops training officers for the Royal Navy and On departing from Southampton the As befits in maritime heritage, Dartmouth forces from Commonwealth countries Pilgrims’ journey was halted again when, is home to some wonderful historic pubs around the world. Guided tours are the Speedwell ‘leaking like a sieve’ and the and a plethora of restaurants and cafés to available on selected dates throughout Mayflower were taken to Dartmouth to choose from including: make good the damage, before setting sail the year and visitors can see the parade The Cherub Inn, a back street 15th century again. The Mayflower was moored on the ground, quarterdeck, the elegant chapel pub River Dart besides Pilgrim Hill while repairs and the Britannia Heritage Museum. were made to the Speedwell in Bayard’s The Royal Castle Hotel Cove harbour. Take a ferry to Agatha Christie’s holiday The Seahorse, a trendy riverfront seafood home, Greenway, which she called ‘the restaurant or bistro-style Discover Dartmouth, a town full of culture, loveliest place in the world’. You can see history and heritage, dating back to 1147 it just as the best-selling author and her with significant seafaring history. family left it and hear of its role in WWII Accommodation when the US Coast Guard requisitioned If you wish to spend more time in the Take a boat trip and see it from its it prior to the D-day Landings when beautiful coastal town of Dartmouth: 4,000 American troops were living in the impressive natural harbour, as the Pilgrims Bayards Cove Inn – a quaint Inn offering Dartmouth area. did. Walk its streets to see an eclectic mix comfortable lodgings and great food. of castles and forts, ancient buildings and museums many dating back to the 16th Plan well ahead and visit during the annual The Royal Castle Hotel – ideal for FITs and Century, such as the Royal Castle Hotel, the Dartmouth Royal Regatta - this historic groups Butterwalk buildings and Bayard’s Cove. maritime festival which first took place Dart Marina Hotel - ideal for FITs and in 1834 is based around a programme groups The port of Dartmouth is overlooked by the of rowing and sailing events. Advance imposing Britannia Royal Naval College, booking is required. where it is said Prince Philip met the then Princess Elizabeth.

Find out more at www.Mayflower400UK.org Day 6 & 7 The Mayflower Departure Dartmouth & Plymouth

Travel from Dartmouth to Plymouth Visit buildings, familiar to the Pilgrims Lunch & Coffee Stops (60 mins by road) which survive to this day: Island House A food lover’s paradise, Plymouth city where Pilgrims are thought to have lodged, centre offers a range of quality places to The Elizabethan House and Gardens, Black Plymouth eat and drink; fantastic food options with Friars (a gin distillery since 1793 but prior Having spent a total of six weeks at sea stunning ocean views. A wide range of to that ‘The Refectory’ is believed to be the without making any progress, both ships Barbican and city centre restaurants and room where the Pilgrim Fathers spent their turned about for Plymouth. Here the cafes are within easy reach. Pilgrims escaped ashore from the dank last night before setting sail for the New ships and received a warm welcome from World), the Mayflower steps, the Jacka locals with strong puritan sympathies. The Bakery, Custom House and the Mayflower A 20-minute walk or short taxi ride will take Speedwell was declared unfit for the journey Museum (‘The Box’ will open in 2020 you to the Royal William Yard, once the and finally the Mayflower set sail with up to telling the Mayflower story). Navy’s post-Napoleonic victualling yard now 30 crew and 102 passengers on board. with restaurants and cafes on the dockside.

Tours & Guides One Small Candle – Walking tours of Plymouths Mayflower story with Plymouth’s Pilgrim Ambassadors and tour guides. Blue Badge guides are available for a range of themed guided walking tours. Boat trips are available around the city’s docks. Self-guided Mayflower trails are available from the Visitor Information Service.

Accommodation Suggestions Overnight in Plymouth City centre hotels include the Holiday Inn, Jurys Inn and The Copthorne. A more traditional option is the Duke of Cornwall, Plymouths first luxury hotel built in 1863. 1620, a new 5* hotel will be open for 2020.

Find out more at www.Mayflower400UK.org Day 8 & 9 Plymouth to Worcester & Droitwich Spa

Droitwich & Worcester Visit Edward Winslow’s Worcester, Lunch & coffee break stops including The Tudor House Museum, Explore the historic City of Worcester Private dinning and group catering available Greyfriars House and Gardens and The and its magnificent Cathedral and the at Worcester Cathedral. Afternoon Tea or Commandery. Experience what life was charming spa town of Droitwich Spa with seven course Taster Menu at Brockencote like in 1620, leading up to the Civil War its lovely “black and white” buildings -an Hall excellent base for exploring the Heart of when Worcester was a Merchant City Dine in Feli’s – with local celebrity Chef England. using the river Severn to export its cloth. Felice Tocchini Visit St Peters Church, Droitwich Spa Book a tour to the City Archives at The where Pilgrim Edwards Winslow was Hive and see Edward Winslow’s Baptism baptised and see a replica of his portrait in record as well as the Marriage Bond of Tours & Guides the Town Council Chamber at the Droitwich William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway. Worcester Cathedral, Discover History, Spa Heritage & Information Centre. Visit Winslow is the only Plymouth colonist of Worcester Walks Worcester Cathedral where Winslow lived which a contemporary portrait exists (in and was educated, book a private tour Pilgrim Hall, Plymouth, Mass). of the Cathedral Library and see Edward Accommodation Suggestions Winslow in the school records - as well as Whilst in Worcestershire, follow the Elgar Overnight in Worcester at Worcester books and maps with detailed accounts of driving trail to see the countryside that Whitehouse Hotel or Droitwich Spa at travellers from the early 1600’s. inspired the work of another son of the city, St Andrews Town Hotel or nestled in the Edward Elgar, the celebrated composer of Worcestershire countryside, at The Wood “The Graduation March” Norton.

Find out more at www.Mayflower400UK.org Day 10 Holland – in search of religious freedom Extend your stay – the full story of the Mayflower Pilgrims extends into Holland where the Separatists spent some 12 years before travelling to the New World.

Ferries leave from Hull to Rotterdam The cobbled streets of Leiden sit alongside Accommodation Suggestions and Harwich to the Hook and flights to the beautiful canals that wind through Overnight in Leiden Amsterdam from all airports indicated. the city – often lined with markets selling cheese, flowers and fresh local produce. City Resort Hotel – 4 star, ideal for groups. Central location. Leiden The city of Leiden was known to be a city Delft Haven, Rotterdam Boutique Hotels van Leyden – Situated in of free thinkers, relative religious tolerance Explore picturesque Delfshaven, now a historic, canal-side buildings with unique and a long tradition of offering shelter to neighbourhood just outside the centre and luxurious interior decorating. the dispossessed. of Rotterdam, but was originally, Delft’s Villa Rameau – The former vergers house harbour until, at the end of the 19th of the historical Pieterskerk. Unique and Visit the Leiden American Pilgrim Museum century, this historical area became part beautiful self-catering accommodation. – a hands on collection of books and of the ever-growing city of Rotterdam. It possessions of the time of the Pilgrims was from here, after a blessing from the in Leiden. Situated in the oldest standing preacher, Rev. John Robinson, that the house in the city. Pieterskirk church - small boat the Speedwell set sail with the named after St. Peter, the patron saint of Separatists on board, to meet with the Leiden church was founded in 1121 and is Mayflower at Southampton. mainly constructed in late-Gothic style. The Pilgrim Fathers’ Church, located The Pilgrims leader John Robinson, lived on Aelbrechtskolk, houses the Pilgrim in the nearby Pieterskerkchoorsteeg Presentation telling the story of the Pilgrim (marked with a plaque). John Robinson is Fathers in words, pictures, reproduced buried here, as are the physician Herman documents, artefacts and a short audio- Boerhave and the painter Jan Steen (of visual presentation. In the church’s Rijksmuseum fame). The church itself sanctuary see objects reminiscent of the features a small exhibition on the Pilgrims Pilgrims, including a fine stained-glass in Leiden. window, and models of both the Speedwell and the Mayflower.

With extra time…

England is a small country with a big museum hear the fascinating story of • Visit Nottinghamshire, home to the story. If you’re time is flexible and you Henry VIII’s ill-fated warship. legendary Robin Hood and religious want to see more of England, here are • Head west from Plymouth to Cornwall, leader, William Booth founder of the some ideas: the coastal destination famed for its Salvation Army. fabulous sea food, exotic gardens, • Travelling south towards London stop smugglers tales and Poldark and from off at the university city of Cambridge where Cornish miners left to start new where John Harvard was a student at lives in the mining communities of Emmanuel College California. • From Southampton take day trips to • Visit Hereford Cathedral and see the Salisbury and Winchester Cathedrals. wonderful Mapa Mundi, dating from The former, built in the 1300s, has c1300 and the largest medieval map the tallest spire in England and the known still to exist and nearby Stratford latter has been an important centre upon Avon to see the home of William for Christianity since the 7th century. Shakespeare Stephen Hopkins, hailing from near • Nearby Gloucester boasts a Cathedral Winchester, was one of the few built on 1300 years of Christian worship Pilgrims with previous experience of and was the birth-place of George life in the “new world”. Whitfield, a founder of the Methodist • From Southampton visit Portsmouth movement who travelled throughout the and its Historic Dockyard, step onboard American colonies preaching to large Nelson’s Victory and at the Mary Rose open air gatherings.

Find out more at www.Mayflower400UK.org