London
Mayflower Pub,
Rotherhithe
Ha'Penny Pier, Harwich
Lincoln Cathedral, viewed from the Castle
Scrooby Church
Gainsborough Old Hall
Stratford-upon-Avon
Smeaton's Tower, Plymouth
Bayard's Cove
Dartmouth
Tudor House, Southampton
You are invited to join Rev. Dr. Susan Cartmell and Rev. Peggy O’Connor from Pilgrim Congregational Church, Harwich Port, MA, as they travel in the footsteps of the Mayflower Pilgrims in the UK. You will receive a warm welcome in Harwich, Essex, the hometown of Christopher Jones, Master of the Mayflower. In the Pilgrim Roots area, you’ll see where many of the Pilgrims lived and worshipped and learn more about why they had to flee from England. After spending twelve years in the Netherlands, they returned to England and you will see the ports of Southampton, Dartmouth and Plymouth, where they provisioned the ships for the journey, finally departing on the Mayflower from Plymouth on September 6, 1620.
Highlights of the tour include:
[printfriendly]Key: IF = In-flight meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Day 1: Sunday, September 22, 2019: Flight to London
We will depart from Boston for our overnight flight to London. Reformation Tours can arrange pre-tour hotel nights in London for anyone who’d like to arrive early. (IF)
Day 2: Monday, September 23, 2019: London, Colchester
On arrival in London, we will meet our tour director, board our bus and travel to nearby Hampton Court Palace. We will have a leisurely tour of the palace and gardens, with time to stretch our legs after the flight. We will dine in the Mayflower Pub in London, which was well known to the crew of the Mayflower. We will see the original 1620 mooring point of the Mayflower and anyone with a personal connection to one of the passengers can sign the Descendant’s Visitor Book. We will then continue on to Colchester, Essex, where we will stay for two nights. (IF/D)
Day 3: Tuesday, September 24, 2019: Harwich, Colchester
Today’s day-trip is to Harwich, where the Christopher Jones, the Master of the Mayflower lived and was twice wed. We will follow the Maritime trail and see the Ha’Penny Pier and Visitor Centre, St. Nicholas Church, the Guildhall and The Redoubt Fort, which was built in 1808 as a large circular fort to protect the harbor from a Napoleonic invasion. The afternoon will be at leisure. We will have a meal with some local invited guests, then return to our hotel in Colchester. (B/D)
Day 4: Wednesday, September 25, 2019: Boston, Lincoln
This morning we will visit Boston, a port town on the East coast. 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 on to Lincoln, where we will be based for three nights. (B/D)
Day 5: Thursday, September 26, 2019: Lincoln
We will start our morning tour at Lincoln Cathedral. This is one of Europe’s finest Gothic buildings and was once the tallest building in the world, with stunning views from the roof and tower. A short distance away is Lincoln Castle, which was built by William the Conqueror in 1068 on a site occupied since Roman times. This is home to Lincoln’s own Magna Carta, one of only four surviving original copies dating back to 1215, as well as the 1217 Charter of the Forest. The castle also has a Medieval Wall Walk, and a Victorian Prison with a unique chapel. The rest of the day will be at leisure and Lincoln has much to offer, including a wide range of shops, markets, and cultural attractions. (B)
Day 6: Friday, September 27, 2019: Pilgrim Roots, Lincoln
This morning 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 Babworth church where William Brewster and William Bradford came together under Richard Clyfton’s leadership. We will view Scrooby Manor, Brewster’s home in Scrooby, as well as the village church. In Austerfield we will see the font where Bradford was baptized and learn about his childhood. After a delicious pub lunch, we will continue on to Gainsborough, from where the Pilgrims set out on their final and successful escape attempt. We will tour the medieval Old Hall, where Separatists were able to hold worship services. We will then have some free time to explore Lincoln before we attend Evensong in the cathedral. (B/L)
Day 7: Saturday, September 28, 2019: Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford
One of the best ways of learning more about the Pilgrim’s lives in England is to visit Stratford-upon-Avon, as Shakespeare (1564-1616) was their contemporary and spoke in a similar manner. In fact, Stephen Hopkins, one of the Mayflower passengers, was part of the 1609 Bermuda shipwreck that is said to have inspired The Tempest. We will tour Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Trinity Church. We will end the day in the Oxford area. (B/D)
Day 8: Sunday, September 29, 2019: Oxford, Plymouth
This morning we will attend the morning service at St. Columba’s United Reform Church in Oxford, followed by a traditional Sunday roast dinner with invited guests from the church. In the afternoon we will continue our journey down to Plymouth, the Pilgrim’s final port of departure. (B/L)
Day 9: Monday, September 30, 2019: Plymouth
Plymouth was the final departure point of the Mayflower. This morning our specialist guide will tell us the story of the Pilgrims’s final days on shore. We will see the Mayflower steps, the cobbled streets of the Barbican, Sutton Harbor, and tour the Mayflower Museum. The tour will finish with a guided tour of the local Plymouth Gin Distillery with samples for those who wish. The rest of the day will be at leisure. (B)
Day 10: Tuesday, October 1, 2019: Dartmouth, Southampton
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 Cove 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 Southampton, where we will be based for two nights. We will dine in our hotel this evening. (B/D)
Day 11: Wednesday, October 2, 2019: Southampton
Today, 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. The Dolphin Hotel has a long illustrious history and one of the earliest references is from 1454. Famous guests included Queen Victoria, Admiral Lord Nelson, and Jane Austen. (B/L/D)
Day 12: Thursday, October 3, 2019: Fly
After breakfast, we will travel to Heathrow, either as a group, or by separate transfers. Post-tour travel options are available. (B/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!
Essex, England
September 23-25, 2019
Crowne Plaza Colchester
Colchester Road
Tolleshunt Knight
Maldon CM9 8HX
Lincolnshire, England
September 25-28, 2019
White Hart Hotel
Bailgate
Lincoln LN1 3AR
Oxfordshire, England
September 28-29, 2019
Oxford Witney Hotel
Ducklington Ln
Witney OX28 4EX
Plymouth, England
September 29-October 1, 2019
Jurys Inn
50 Exeter St
Plymouth PL4 0AZ
Southampton, England
October 1-3, 2019
Mercure Dolphin Hotel
34-35 High St
Southampton SO14 2HN
Group flights are available for this tour for $600 per person round-trip. If you need alternative flights, we can either assist you with flights, or you can book your own. Please ensure we have a copy of your flight itinerary for our records as soon as you have booked it. We do ask that you wait until the tour is a guaranteed departure before purchasing non-refundable airfare.
Flights on Virgin Atlantic
Flight No. | Date | From | To | Departs | Arrives |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
VS 12 | September 22/23 | Boston | Heathrow | 10:20 PM | 10:00 AM |
VS 11 | October 3 | Heathrow | Boston | 3:55 PM | 6:40 PM |
Price based on a minimum of 20 participants
• Transportation: via deluxe air-conditioned coaches
• Accommodations (double-occupancy) in superior 3-star and 4-star hotels with good bus access
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Professional Tour Director throughout the tour
• Local step-on guides for city tours and major attractions
• Guides will use Whisper Headsets throughout the tour
• Admission to all activities indicated in the itinerary
• All transfers as a group
• Baggage handling when available (1 piece per person)
• Basic travel insurance (upgrade to full-coverage available)
• All taxes and tips other than for tour director and driver
• Round-trip air transportation (Group air available from Boston for $600)
• Single supplement ($650)
• 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.
• Upgraded passenger trip cancellation insurance ($500 of basic coverage included)
• Tips for tour director and driver
• Deposit of $350 will secure your place on the tour. Please send all payments to Reformation Tours, P.O Box 854, Belleville, IL 62222.
• Final invoices will be sent in June 2019
• Final payment is due on July 9, 2019
• Reservations will be accepted until July 9, 2019 subject to availability
We offer coverage with the Professional Plan offered by Roam Right Insurance, a division of Arch Insurance Company. We include $500 coverage in your tour price and you are welcome to upgrade to cover the full tour premium. The cost of the tour insurance is the tour cost (minus $500) x 6.14%. A quote will be automatically added to your invoice.
BENEFITS | TRAVEL INSURANCE COVERAGE |
---|---|
Trip Cancellation | Up to 100% of Trip Cost |
Trip Interruption | Up to 150% of Trip Cost |
Trip Interruption (Return Air Only) | $750 |
Missed Connection | $500, after a 3+ hour delay |
Trip Delay | $200 a day, after a 6+ hour delay, up to $1,000 total maximum |
Evacuation and Repatriation of Mortal Remains | $500,000 |
Emergency Accident and Sickness | $50,000 max/$750 max for dental/ No deductible |
Security Assistance Services | $100,000 |
Baggage / Personal Effects - Lost, Stolen or Damaged | No deductible, $250 per article limit, combined limit of $500 for valuables, $1,000 total limit. |
Baggage Delay | $300, after a 12+ hour delay |
Accidental Death or Dismemberment 24 Hours | $10,000 |
Worldwide Travel Assistance, Business and Concierge Assistance | Included |
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Waiver (Must insure full, non-refundable cost of Trip) | Must be purchased within 21 days after your initial trip deposit. |
Regardless of reason, cancellations are costly. To offset these costs the following fees will apply, plus any non-recoverable expenses to our suppliers:
From time of deposit to until 100 days before departure: $100
From 99-15 days prior to departure: $350 plus any non refundable deposits
14 days or less prior to departure: No refund– Cancellation charges also apply to additional accommodation reserved prior to and after the tour.
– Cancellations must be received in writing by 5:00 p.m. central time on the last business day of the applicable time period.
– For flight changes or cancellations, revision fees and/or airline cancellation charges will apply.
– Roommates canceling can result in a single supplement charge for the roommate. The Participant who cancels will be responsible for that charge if a substitute roommate cannot be found.
– Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is strongly recommended.
Reformation Tours cannot assume responsibility for any additional costs or fees relating to the issuance and/or cancellation of air tickets or other arrangements not made through Reformation Tours.
Currently, registration is limited to Pilgrim church members, their friends and families through December 31. Then we will open the trip up to people from other churches in the Barnstable Association starting January 1.
We look forward to welcoming you on the tour.
You can fill out your reservations online by clicking the “Book Now” tab (under the images) or click here to download the form.
You can either send a check made payable to “Reformation Tours” to P.O. Box 854, Belleville, IL 62222 or click here to pay by credit card.
We offer the Professional Plan by Roam Right Insurance, a division of Arch Insurance Company. We include $500 coverage in your tour price and you are welcome to upgrade to cover the full tour premium. The cost of the tour insurance is the tour cost (minus $500) x 6.14%. A quote will be automatically added to your invoice.
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Head Office: Hall Gate House, 29cCranfield Road, Kilkeel, Co. Down, N. Ireland BT34 4LJ
US Office: 12316 244th St. Chisago City, MN 55013
Toll Free: (800) 303-5534
Email: info@reformationtours.com