The Pig-in-the Wall, Southampton Bayard's Cove Scrooby Church Lincoln Cathedral London
On this 11-day tour, you will discover the story of courage and conviction, secret worship, growing persecution, and the start of an epic journey that would establish the Mayflower Compact. Expert guides will bring their stories alive, as you follow in their footsteps.
Highlights include:
Key: IF = In Flight Meals, B= Breakfast, D = Dinner
Day 1: Depart North America
We will depart from the USA today. Group flights (minimum of 10) or individual flights can be arranged. Pre-tour arrangements can also be made through Reformation Tours. (IF)
Day 2: London, Southampton
On arrival in London, we will meet our tour director, who will welcome us to London, and escort us to our waiting air-conditioned motor coach. We will travel down to Southampton and check-in to our hotel. In the afternoon, our local expert guide will take us on a guided walk describing Southampton as it would have been in 1620. We will hear about the provisioning of the Speedwell and Mayflower ships, and see their departure point. This is now commemorated with a Pilgrim Fathers Memorial, which was unveiled in 1913. We will tour the Tudor House and Garden, which existed at the time of the Pilgrims’ departure. Our Welcome Dinner is in our hotel this evening. (B/D)
Day 3: Southampton, Dartmouth, Plymouth
After breakfast we will travel to nearby Dartmouth, which is where the Mayflower and the Speedwell had to dock for repairs. We will enjoy a River Cruise, and see Bayard’s Cove Harbor. The Pilgrims would still recognize the Tudor Bayard’s Cover Fort, St. Saviour’s Church, Smith Street and other areas around the waterfront. We will have some free time to explore on our own, before we continue on to Plymouth, where we will be based for two nights. We will dine in our hotel this evening. (B/D)
Day 4: Plymouth
We will have breakfast in our hotel, then spend a full day exploring Plymouth. We will tour the city with a specialist guide who will tell the story of the Mayflower Pilgrims, the ship, and the voyage. . We will see the Mayflower steps, the cobbled streets of the Barbican, and Sutton Harbour. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B)
Day 5: Glastonbury, Droitwich Spa, Worcester
After breakfast we will see Glastonbury Abbey, which is associated with King Arthur. we will continue on to Droitwich Spa, the birthplace of Edward Winslow. We will visit St Peter’s Church and see the Winslow Memorial. At the end of the day, we will explore the “Faithful” City of Worcester. The town earned this name because of its unwavering support of the king during the English Civil War. Edward Winslow was granted a scholarship at age 10, to continue this education. We will tour Worcester Cathedral, where Hugh Latimer, the famous martyr, was bishop. We will see the tomb of King John, who signed the Magna Carta, then dine in our hotel in the Worcester area. (B/D)
Day 6: Lincoln
After breakfast at the hotel, we will learn about the Magna Carta, by travelling to Lincoln Castle, to see a copy of this ancient manuscript. We will also tour Lincoln Cathedral. We will check-in to our hotel and dine in a local restaurant. (B/D)
Day 7: Gainsborough, Babworth, Scrooby
This morning, after breakfast, a local expert guide will take us on a tour of local sites that would have been very familiar to the Pilgrim Fathers. We will start at the great monastic church of Worksop to understand the background of Christianity in England, to hear about the Protestant martyrs and local puritan leaders like Richard Bernard – father in law of Rhode Island’s Roger Williams. Then we visit Babworth church where William Brewster and William Bradford came together under Richard Clyfton’s leadership. Further stops then include Brewster’s home village of Scrooby, Bradford’s parish church and house at Austerfield, and Sturton-le-Steeple – birthplace of John Robinson and the Baptist John Smyth, and probably of John Carver who was the first leader on the Mayflower. We finish the day at Gainsborough, from where the Pilgrims set out on their final and successful escape attempt. We will also have time to visit the medieval Old Hall, home of a local puritan, and where John Wesley preached 150 years later. We will return to our hotel for dinner. We will return to our hotel for dinner. (B/D)
Day 8: Boston, Harwich
We will check-out of our hotel after breakfast, and drive to Boston. In 1607, a group of pilgrims had walked 60 miles from Scrooby to Boston to meet a ship to take them to Holland. They were betrayed and instead of a new life, they were arrested and taken to the Guildhall. We will see the cells where they were held, as well as the Pilgrim Fathers memorial at Scotia Creek. St. Botolph’s Church, known as “Boston Stump”, is one of England’s largest parish churches. Rev. John Cotton urged members of his congregation to join the Massachusetts Bay Company, and he helped found the city of Boston in the 1630s. The Puritan Path leading to the church is in his honor.We will continue to to Harwich, the port town where Captain Christopher Jones was born. We will tour his house and see progress on the full-size replica of the Mayflower. We will dine in our hotel in the Harwich area. (B/D)
Day 9: Harwich, London
After breakfast, we will continue our drive to London and have lunch in the Mayflower Pub in Rotherhithe. This used to be called the Shippe Inn, and was well known to the crew of the Mayflower. We will explore the South Bank area of London, including Southwark Cathedral and the Globe Theater. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B,L)
Day 10: London
Today is a leisure day in London. We will have travel cards to explore the city, as well as a London Pass, which includes entrance to 60+ attractions. Theater tickets to a West End show can be ordered. (B)
Day 11: Departure day
After breakfast, we will travel to Heathrow, either as a group, or by separate transfers. Post-tour travel options are available. (IF)
Please note this itinerary is copyrighted.
Our hotels are chosen for their quality, amenities and proximity to areas of interest. Whenever possible, we choose hotels in town centers, so that you are able to go off and explore in your free time. It may be necessary for us to substitute hotels for others of equal quality. You will be fully informed of any changes that affect you. Enjoy your stay!
Mercure Southampton Dolphin
34 – 35 High Street
Southampton, SO14 2HN
Crowne Plaza Plymouth
Armada Way
Plymouth, PL1 2HJ
The Bank House Hotel
Bransford
Worcester, WR6 5JD
White Hart Inn
Bailgate
Lincoln LN1 3AR
Crowne Plaza 5 Lakes
Colchester Road
Tolleshunt Knight
Maldon CM9 8HX
The Melia White House
Albany Street
Regent´s Park
London, NW1 3UP
• Transportation: via deluxe air-conditioned coaches
• Accommodations (double-occupancy) in superior 3-star and moderate 4-star hotels
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Professional Tour Director throughout the tour
• Local step-on guides for city tours and major attractions
• Admission to all activities indicated in the itinerary
• All transfers, as a group
• Baggage handling when available
• All taxes and tips except as indicated below
• Round-trip air transportation
• Single supplement
• Meals and beverages not identified in itinerary
• Items of a personal nature, such as passports and visas. Passports must be valid for 6 months beyond return date.
• Passenger trip cancellation insurance (details sent with reservation form)
• Gratuities for tour director, and driver
Thank you for your interest in the Mayflower Explorer Tour. We would be delighted to talk to you about a custom-tour for your group.
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