The Mayflower Trail Uncover the fascinating story of the Mayflower Pilgrims who departed from Plymouth UK for the New World in 1620, changing the course of history forever. www.visitplymouth.co.uk
Overview of the Mayflower Trail These early religious refugees, or Puritans, who sailed into Plymouth by chance, were only in port for a short stopover. However evidence of their stay can be seen on the streets around the city, with Mayflower a familiar name heard by many. It is believed that the Pilgrims received a warm welcome in Plymouth so let’s now trace their footsteps around the historic areas of the Barbican and Sutton Harbour:
This fascinating trail tells the story of the Mayflower Pilgrims, an enduring tale of courage in the face of adversity. Today 23 million Americans can trace their roots back to the Mayflower’s famous voyage to the New World which set sail from Plymouth UK on 16th September 1620 with just 102 passengers and crew on board, with what William Bradford called “a prosperous wind.”
1 The Mayflower Museum 2 The Island House 3 The Elizabethan House 4 The Elizabethan Gardens 5 The Black Friars Plymouth Gin Distillery 6 The Custom House and Old Custom House 7 Jacka Bakery 8 The Mayflower Steps
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The Mayflower Museum
Allow 30 minutes For our first port of call, on exiting turn left and a few doors away you will see a detached building known as Island House.
Located above the Barbican Tourist Information Centre, the Mayflower Museum is your perfect starting point to explore the story of the Pilgrims and their voyage on the Mayflower to the New World. Set over three floors, the Mayflower Museum showcases this enduring tale of courage in the face of adversity and how these early settlers of the New World played such a significant role in America’s past whilst leaving their mark in Plymouth too.
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The Island House
Allow 10 minutes Follow the cobbles onto New Street and you will come to your next stop, The Elizabethan House.
Island House dates from between 1572 and 1600, and is thought to be one of the houses in which the Pilgrims lodged and were entertained prior to their departure for the New World aboard the Mayflower. You will find two plaques on the walls of this building including a list of the Pilgrims. To the rear, you will see the narrow lower end of New Street which gives an authentic feel for the character of old Plymouth as it would have been in the 1600s.
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The Elizabethan House
Allow 30 minutes Continue along New Street and go through the marked passageway on your left to discover the tranquil Elizabethan Gardens. et
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From 1575, Plymouth’s Mayor John Sparke built houses in New Street for wealthy merchants with pleasant gardens to the rear. This included number 32, the Elizabethan House, which was built in the 1580s as a sea captain’s house. It survives in its near original state and is sympathetically furnished for visitors to appreciate. Take this opportunity to step back in time and experience the authentic spiral stairs, sloping floors and period furniture, reflecting the era of the Pilgrims and Sir Francis Drake.
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The Elizabethan Gardens
Allow 15 minutes Make your way back onto New Street and continue walking, turning right into Friars’ Lane. At the bottom turn left and wander along until you see the world famous Plymouth Gin Distillery.
Tucked away as the backdrop to very old houses and warehouses, this beautiful hidden oasis opens up to cobbled paths and stone steps leading to traditional gardens, a world away from the bustling shops and cafes of the Barbican. Here you can see a plaque listing the names and occupations of the Mayflower Pilgrims, and a stone carving of the Mayflower Ship. Relax beside the cooling foundation set amongst the low box hedges of colourful flowers and fragrant herbs, and you will easily imagine yourself back in Elizabethan Plymouth times.
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The Black Friars Plymouth Gin Distillery
Allow 30/60 minutes Walk through Blackfriars Ope opposite, turn right onto the Parade. The Old Custom House is on your right (home to The Book Cupboard), and the Custom House far left.
This medieval building dates back to 1431 making it one of the oldest surviving buildings in Plymouth. The site is originally believed to have been home to Black Friars monks and the Distillery’s historic bar ‘The Refectory,’ is thought to be the venue where the Pilgrims spent their last night before setting sail on the Mayflower. In 1793, the building was converted into a distillery producing Plymouth Gin and is today the oldest working gin distillery in England. Take a fascinating tour or indulge yourself in the Refectory.
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Allow 5 minutes Head back onto Southside Street through Parade Ope, take a left and you will see Jacka Bakery on the opposite side of the road.
Completed in 1820, The Custom House was designed to reflect Plymouth’s status as the main merchant port of the region. However Customs’ relationship with the Barbican goes back further with the port’s original Old Custom House dating from the late 1500s. It is believed that the crew of the Mayflower would have checked in at The Old Custom House because their contents had originally been on two ships and after failing to repair The Speedwell, its cargo and some of the passengers were transferred onto The Mayflower.
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Jacka Bakery
Allow 5 minutes Continue walking along Southside Street towards the waterfront and you will come to the final landmark of our trail, The Mayflower Steps, located opposite the Mayflower Museum.
Jacka Bakery is Britain’s oldest commercially working bakery dating back to 1597. It is claimed that this bakery supplied ships biscuits to The Mayflower for the Pilgrims’ voyage to the New World. Feeling tempted by the fresh cakes and pastries in the window, why not treat yourself?
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The Mayflower Steps
Allow 15 minutes There are many more hidden gems for you to discover in Plymouth. Whether you are here for a day, week or a lifetime, do as visitors to Plymouth have always done - go and explore!
The Mayflower Steps mark the final English departure point of 102 passengers (known as Pilgrims) and crew members, who set sail in the Mayflower on 16th September 1620. After a 66-day voyage they founded New England’s first permanent colony at what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Pilgrims signed the Mayflower Compact on which the founding of modern day America was based. This marked the beginning of the special relationship with the UK.
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Trail Tips! Things to note when embarking on The Mayflower Trail: Visitor attractions promoted through this trail are subject to individual opening times. Please check for details on www.visitplymouth.co.uk to avoid disappointment This is a walking trail only You can easily join or leave the trail at any point of your journey The minutes stated next to each landmark are approximate timings and assumes participation in the recommended activities. You can determine your own pace and level of engagement – these are only suggestions to help immerse you into the time of the Mayflower Pilgrims As Plymouth has the highest concentration of cobbled streets in England combined with stone steps and sloping floors in the historic houses, unfortunately some of these landmarks will be unsuitable for those whose mobility is limited
Wondering what to do next? With a rich maritime heritage and a hand in some of Britain’s most famous events, a city as steeped in history as Plymouth has many stories to tell.
For more information about things to see and do in Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City, visit the Barbican Tourist Information Centre and go to: www.visitplymouth.co.uk WhatsOnPlymouth @visitplymouth