13 Day Tour to the UK and Netherlands
Mayflower Heritage Tour - UK and Netherlands - 13 Days
Walk in the footsteps of our Pilgrim ancestors before they set sail for the New World.
This tour is officially sponsored by The Mayflower Society and open to both members and non-members.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS MAYFLOWER TOUR PROGRAM.
If you are looking for the US based tour "On the Path of the Pilgrims - 6 Days" please click here.
Book This Tour
DAY 1. Fly from the US to Amsterdam
On this day, you'll choose your flight and arrive in Amsterdam. We want to you arrive a day early so that everyone will be ready to start the following morning. Flight and hotel are not included on this day, but we will provide assistance with booking these items at no charge to you. Many people like to use their own frequent flier miles to purchase their flights. Grab some local food near your hotel and get a good night of sleep. Big day tomorrow!
DAY 2. Amsterdam to Leiden
Good Morning Amsterdam! We will all meet at a designated meeting place where we will load the motorcoach and meet your tour director who will welcome us to the Netherlands. In the afternoon we will have an orientation tour of the city, including the Begijnhof, one of Amsterdam’s best-known almshouses and a narrated canal boat excursion, passing gabled warehouses, noble mansions, arched bridges, and colorful houseboats. We will then travel to Leiden, a delightful Dutch town where the Pilgrims lived for 12 years. We will get to know the group at tonight’s Welcome Dinner. (D)
DAY 3. Leiden
After a leisurely breakfast, we will tour the American Pilgrim Museum, which tells the stories of the founders of New England (subject to availability). It features furnishings from Pilgrim times, as well as maps and engravings from the 16th and 17th century. The Pieterskirk was founded in 1121 and has a small exhibition about the Pilgrims. John Robinson is buried in this church and we will see his home nearby, which is marked with a plaque. The tour will also include seeing the site of William Brewster’s printing shop, the Hooglandse Kerk, and Da Waag, where the Pilgrims first set foot in Leiden. The afternoon will be at leisure to visit the Botanical Gardens, the Museum de Lakenhal, or the many shops. We will enjoy a traditional Dutch meal this evening. (B/D)
DAY 4. Leiden
After breakfast, we will have a day of exploration around Leiden. We'll visit the iconic Windmill Molen De Valk and also go to the Erfgoed Leiden en Omstreken (Leiden Municipal Archives). During this archive visit, a local docent will give the group an introductory talk and everyone will have a chance to visit the Ancestry Booth. As you know, Leiden was home to many of the Pilgrims. There will be free time on this day to enjoy the local shops before returning to the hotel for the night (B)
DAY 5. Delfshaven to Harwich
Today is a travel day. You'll cross the same waters as your Pilgrim ancestors did, sailing from Delfshaven, Netherlands to Harwich UK. Delfshaven was the departure point for the Speedwell. We will visit the Pilgrim Fathers’ Church and explore the harbor district. We will then make our way to the Hook of Holland to board our own ship bound for England. The crossing to Harwich takes 6 1/2 hours. The ship has restaurants on board, as well as shops, and a cinema. When we arrive in England, we will meet the UK based tour director and check in to our hotel near Harwich. (B)
DAY 6. East of England
Harwich is the port town where the Mayflower was built and where its captain, Master Christopher Jones, was born. We will tour his recently renovated house, the Guildhall, and the Ha’Penny Pier. We will then drive to Boston, a port town on the East coast. In 1607, a group of pilgrims 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 in the Guildhall. 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 have dinner and check into our hotel in Lincoln. (B/D)
DAY 7. East of England
This morning our 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’ll visit St. Helena’s church to see the font where Bradford was baptized and learn about his childhood. In the afternoon we will visit Gainsborough, from where the Pilgrims set out on their final and successful escape attempt. We will tour the medieval Old Hall, home of a local puritan. After time to browse the excellent gift shop, we will return to Lincoln, where we will have the opportunity to tour the Mayflower Gallery in the Bassetlaw Museum. We will dine near or at our hotel in Lincoln. (B/D)
DAY 8. Lincoln to Plymouth
After breakfast at the hotel, we will travel to Droitwich Spa to attend an optional morning service (or visit) at St. Peter’s Church where Edward Winslow was baptized. He served three terms as governor of Plymouth Colony. Winslow was educated at King’s School, which was part of Worcester Cathedral at that time. St. Peter's Church is adjacent to lovely Lido Park where an optional stroll is available. After a group lunch, we will drive down to Plymouth and dine in our hotel. (B/L/D)
DAY 9. Plymouth
We will have breakfast in our hotel, then spend a full day exploring Plymouth. Our specialist guide will tell the story of the Mayflower Pilgrims, the ship, and the voyage, before they finally set off on September 16, 1620. We will see the Mayflower steps, the cobbled streets of the Barbican, and Sutton Harbor. We'll visit the Plymouth Gin Distillery for a tour and an optional included tasting while we investigate the idea that some of our Pilgrim ancestors visited this site. We will then have a few hours to explore independently before we meet again for a boat cruise around the harbor. You will even have a chance to sit at the exact the spot near the lighthouse where the Beatles took their very famous photo in Plymouth. And then the rest of the evening will be at leisure. (B)
DAY 10. Plymouth to Southampton to London
After breakfast, we will travel to Southampton. Our local expert guide will take us on a guided walk describing Southampton as it would have been in 1620, when the Pilgrims arrived from Leiden. We will hear about the provisioning of the Speedwell and the Mayflower and see their departure point. This is now commemorated with a Pilgrim Fathers’ Memorial, which was unveiled in 1913. Our journey will continue as we head for one of the worlds most dynamic and exciting cities... London! We will dine together this evening and check into our London hotel. (B/D)
DAY 11. London
We will have a fabulous view of London from the London Eye this morning, followed by a cruise on the Thames River embarking from Westminster Pier sailing towards the Tower of London. The bus will then take us to lunch at 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 see the original 1620s mooring point and we’ll have the opportunity to sign the Mayflower Descendants visitors’ book. On this day we will also have a Panoramic "Best of London" Driving Tour and the evening is at your leisure. (B/L)
DAY 12. Dorking and Windsor
The day begins with breakfast, and you'll want to eat a hearty meal as this final full day on tour will take us from a Pilgrim ancestor to British Royalty. We will travel to Windsor Castle - The Queen's Residence where a proper visit is planned for you. Then you'll have some time set aside to explore the Town of Windsor and have a bite to eat. We'll continue to Dorking where we will see the former home of Pilgrim ancestor William Mullins. His home is now a working coffee shop just a few blocks from the Dorking Museum & Heritage Center where you'll have time to visit and learn. After your group has learned about William Mullins and the ancient Roman road that ran through Dorking, your motorcoach will travel back to London for the final evening. (B)
DAY 13. London to Home
Alas, there comes a time for the adventure to end. There will be a morning motorcoach transfer to London's Heathrow Airport, where you'll board your flight with your luggage and a whole set of amazing memories to take home that will last a lifetime. (B)