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Exploring the Mayflower anniversary from multiple angles

Mayflower 400 UK is an honest, broad and inclusive commemoration of the ship’s sailing from England to America and its often challenging legacy.

It will mark the 400^th anniversary year from now through 2021 like never before in history.

For the first time, audiences across the globe will be taken far beyond the story of the ‘Pilgrim Fathers’ and the one-dimensional version of the Mayflower voyage. It will examine the history of four nations from multiple angles, explore the experiences of those impacted and tell of the ruthless consequences of colonisation.

This anniversary year will face up to these difficult truths.

It will tell stories of persecution, loss and oppression as well as exploring the themes of migration, humanity and freedom that underpin its place in history.

The ambitious cultural programme will highlight the experiences of different ethnic groups both in history and today, working in tandem with the Wampanoag Nation, the very people who once stood alongside the Mayflower’s passengers but eventually saw their lands and homes brutally taken from them.

Explore these events, exhibitions, productions and projects and the people behind them throughout this website.

You can also read articles and watch videos on the history of the Mayflower, find educational toolkits and get information on visiting the places linked to the anniversary.

Read more about the Mayflower 400 commemoration here

Beyond Face

Commemoration Programme

The Mayflower 400 anniversary is an opportunity to explore all aspects of the story and the impact of the ship's sailing through a diverse range of cultural events and commemorative projects.

The journey to 16 September

This is the fascinating story of how the colonists made the trip possible, and the events that led to them gathering on the water’s edge in Plymouth some 400 years ago.

29 Sep-18 Sep 21

Mayflower 400: Legend And Legacy

Plymouth, England

Re-informed: Still Moving

We speak to the team behind Speedwell, the stunning light installation on Plymouth's Mount Batten Breakwater and the message it represents

The Mashpee Wampanoag

Members of the Mashpee community describe the impact the arrival of the Pilgrims has had on their way of life and share their history and culture

Wampum: Stories from the Shells of Native America

The creation of a new Wampum Belt by the Native American Wampanoag Nation is one of the cornerstones of the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower's sailing.

Mayflower Events and Festivals

Search All Events

15 Aug-18 Oct 20

Wampum: Stories from the Shells of Native America

Southampton

08 Sep 20

The Mayflower: Myths, Truths and Legacies

City of London

10-19 Sep 20

Mayflower 400 Quilt Exhibition

Plymouth, England

12-20 Sep 20

A Mile in My Shoes

Southampton

15 Sep 20

Lincoln Creates Network Live Online Talk with Hetain Patel

London - Southwark

29 Sep-18 Sep 21

Mayflower 400: Legend And Legacy

Plymouth, England

Latest News & Blog:

Follow new Mayflower Trail and explore Historic Harwich

New film explores Pilgrim Roots region's links to Mayflower story

Argyle Community Trust explore Mayflower Trail on 16 September anniversary

Businesses and residents invited to Illuminate Boston with 1620 Lanterns

Groundbreaking Mayflower Autonomous Ship revealed to the world

Mayflower 400 for Schools

View All Education Resources

Mayflower II

The Mayflower Story

The story of the Pilgrims, their journey, and the colonisation of New England, is a complex one, spanning hundreds of years.

Native America and the Mayflower: 400 years of Wampanoag history

The Wampanoag Tribe, also known as the People of the First Light, has inhabited present-day Massachusetts and Eastern Rhode Island for more than 12,000 years. This their fascinating story

Mayflower Passengers List - an interactive guide

Mayflower Passenger List

Mayflower Passengers List - an interactive guide

An interactive map guide to the Mayflower passenger list including the Pilgrim separatists, non-separatists, servants, and crew

Discover More

Mayflower 400 Digital Trails App

Mayflower Self-Guided Tours is an innovative and highly detailed app that turns your mobile device into a personal GPS tour guide

Women of the Mayflower

The stories of the women who boarded the Mayflower and how their strength helped the Pilgrims settle in America.

Plymouth goes large in 2021 with impressive event programme

Exciting US programme of virtual events and activities announced

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Austerfield

Austerfield, near Doncaster and the market town of Bawtry. Home of William Bradford who was baptised in St. Helena's Church and later became Plymouth Colony's first elected Govenor.

Austerfield, Doncaster
Scrooby & Babworth

In the Bassetlaw area of north Nottinghamshire, the beliefs of the leading Separatists who voyaged to American in 1620 were shaped. Explore the Pilgrim Roots.

Scrooby & Babworth
Gainsborough

Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. Close to Scrooby and Retford. Some of the Separatists are thought to have worshipped in secret at the Old Hall with permission of its owner, merchant William Hickman.

Gainsborough
Boston

The Scrooby congregation - including Williams Brewster and Bradford - made their first attempt to escape to Holland from Boston in Lincolnshire. They were held and tried in Boston Guildhall.

Boston
Immingham

It was from Immingham Creek on the edge of the river Humber that the Separatists made a dangerous, but successful escape from England to Holland in their search for religious freedom.

Immingham
Worcestershire

Prominent Mayflower passenger, Edward Winslow came from Worcestershire - he was schooled in Worcester and came from Droitwich Spa. Following the voyage, he later returned to England.

Worcestershire
Chorley, Lancashire
Leiden, Holland

The Separatists escaped from England to Holland and settled in Leiden - a city of free-thinkers and religious tolerance. It was their resting place for almost 12 years before departing on the Speedwell in preparation for their final voyage to the New World.

Leiden
Harwich

The Mayflower is believed to have been built in Harwich sometime before 1600, and was commanded and part-owned by her Master, Captain Christopher Jones, whose house still stands near the waterfront.

Harwich, Essex
Rotherhithe

The London borough of Southwark, which includes the former docklands of Rotherhithe, has many links with the voyage of the Pilgrims. It was the home port of the Mayflower, and the area was one with its own strong tradition of religious descent.

Southwark, London
Southampton

The Mayflower arrived in Southampton in July 1620 and several days later was joined by the Speedwell, carrying the Pilgrims from Leiden. On 15 August the two ships weighted anchor and set sail.

Southampton
Dartmouth

When the Speedwell began to take on water, both ships and their crew changed course and arrived in Dartmouth on 23 August. They rested here whilst repairs were made in Bayards cove before heading out into the English Channel.

Dartmouth
Plymouth

300 miles clear of England, the Speedwell continued to leak and both ships turned about for Plymouth. Eventually, just the Mayflower set sail with up to 30 crew and 102 passengers on board. The final departure city before embarking on life in the New World.

Plymouth, England
Plymouth, USA

After a storm tossed 66 days at sea, the Mayflower anchored on the tip of Cape Cod, at what is now Provincetown, Massachusetts. The settlers formulated the 'Mayflower Compact'.