The District of Bassetlaw has a wealth of heritage and history.

One are that Bassetlaw prides itself on, is being the birthplace of the United States of America, as it was here that the beginnings of religious Separatism are to be found. Three of the first four signatories to the Mayflower Compact came from Bassetlaw and the neighbouring county of South Yorkshire. This document is considered the earliest example of democracy in the United States and the forerunner of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution

It was in 1607 that two of the original separatists, a Scrooby postmaster named William Brewster and a parson from Babworth called Richard Clyfton, joined dozens of other religious pilgrims to start a new life in Holland and then in 1620 the pilgrims set sail on the Mayflower to America. William Brewster played a major part in founding the new society. Retrace the footsteps of the Pilgrim Fathers by following the Mayflower Trail, a circular tour of 38-40 miles visiting the historic villages and sites of Pilgrim Fathers’ Country.

The Pilgrim Fathers UK Origins Association

The Association celebrates and brings together the heritage of the original Separatists in England and the Pilgrim Fathers who settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts.  Visit the Pilgrim Fathers Origins Association website to find out more.

Left: Anthony Derbyshire, Chair of the Pilgrim Fathers Origins Association, with Barry Bowles, Film Producer: Gregory Hahn and Dr Jeremy Bangs from the American Pilgrim Museum, Leiden at the launch of the Mayflower Trial at the Crown Hotel in Bawtry

Finding accommodation on the Mayflower Trail

Retford Tourist Information Centre can give advice about accommodation near to the Mayflower Trail.  Their telephone number is 01777 860780.  Experience Nottingham & Nottinghamshire , the Destination Marketing Organisation for the county also carries a minisite which provides details of hotels in the area. 

Booking a tour of the Mayflower Trail

Pilgrim Tours is dedicated to providing specialised services for a wide range of customers – including people on vacation, students, families, schools, home-based education groups, church groups, and of course any of the five million known descendants of the Pilgrim Fathers.  More information available on the Mayflower Trail.