The Mayflower 400 in Dartmouth

The year 2020 marks the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower sailing from Plymouth to the New World. Dartmouth is proudly one of the 13 international locations leading the Mayflower 400 commemorations, and celebrations are already underway, with a wealth of exciting events and projects in the pipeline, highlighting its connections to the Pilgrims’ journey, and also the towns long maritime history. The whole town is behind this major celebration, which intends to not only raise Dartmouth’s profile as a fantastic place to visit, but hopes to encourage visitors on a national and international scale, further boosting the local economy.

We’ve created a simple guide to The Mayflower 400 in Dartmouth, outlining its maiden voyage, and also Dartmouth’s integral role within this. What’s more, we’ve also highlighted various key events not to miss during the celebrations…  

The Mayflower story

The Mayflower began its maiden voyage in the autumn of 1620. Setting sail from the harbour of Plymouth, United Kingdom on September 16th, she was headed for America, otherwise known (at the time) by English explorers as the New World. It took 66 long, challenging days to cross the Atlantic and the vessel encountered a number of treacherous Atlantic storms, often so bad that the sails couldn’t be used. At the end of December 1620, The Mayflower landed in Plymouth Bay, Massachusetts, and the passengers immediately began establishing a colony.

Throughout the 17th Century the Church of England dictated many aspects of daily life, from clothes worn to food eaten, and naturally, there was resilience to this. During this period a community of like-minded individuals formulated to become known as the Separatists. Initially, they worshipped in secret, avoiding arrest and persecution, but as authorities tightened their grip they started to hatch much bigger plans. At first, the Separatists fled to Leiden, in Holland, to join the city of free-thinkers, but soon their time in Holland took its toll, and they soon started to plan a much bigger journey, a journey to the New World, a land with new beginnings, completely free of limitations. 

Both the concept and the driving force of the Mayflower voyage was led by the Separatists, and as such they accounted for the majority of passengers aboard. Other passengers, not necessarily religiously motivated, were those lured by the opportunity of adventure and freedom, and the chance to build a better future for their families. Later known as the Pilgrims, these people significantly influenced the future of the United States of America, more so than they realised at the time! On board the vessel were just 102 passengers and 30 crew members, together forming a community of men, women and several children, from varying locations across England and the city of Leiden in Holland. Today, more than 30 million people can trace their ancestry to the passengers aboard the Mayflower!

The Mayflower voyage, and the events that followed, marked an extremely significant period in history for both England and the United States of America, in particular, the relationships first formed between the Native American Wampanoag tribe and the colonists and the first Thanksgiving. The repressive church rule in England drove yet further people to follow Mayflower to America, welcoming another ships arrival in 1621, and two more in 1623. The Mayflower story is renowned for its notion of freedom and humanity.

Dartmouth’s connection to the Mayflower 

Whilst in Holland, the Separatists worked with the counterparts in England to fund and organise the journey to America, which had to be proved as being commercially viable. After some negotiating with merchants in London, they managed to secure funding, on the proviso that there would be a sound return on investment seen in the goods sent back to England.

Following this, it was agreed that a ship called Speedwell would carry those residing in Holland to America, and another ship called the Mayflower would take additional skilled passengers, not travelling for religious reasons. Initially, the plan was for the two ships to meet in Southampton, before setting sail together for America, but not long after the two ships weighed anchor, Speedwell began taking on water, and they were forced to change course for Dartmouth. It took just over a week for skilled craftsmen to make good of the damage, but despite the best efforts from all involved, just 300 miles off Land’s End, Speedwell was not deemed seaworthy and the two vessels turned about for Plymouth. The crew amalgamated, and the Mayflower was the only ship that set sail for America on September 16th, 1620. 

The Mayflower 400 events in Dartmouth

Dartmouth is a hive of activity year round, with a thriving events calendar. Throughout the Mayflower commemorations you will find a wealth of dedicated events, and also the Mayflower story woven into many of the town’s annual events. Spanning arts, culture, theatre and heritage, expect to spend your time enjoying concerts, exploring tall ship visits, navigating sculpture and art trails, and reading a dedicated Mayflower children’s book. What’s more, the Dart Music Festival, the Dart the Dart Run and the Dartmouth Royal Regatta will be in full swing throughout the year.

Due to Covid-19, several of the planned Mayflower 400 events may have been cancelled or rescheduled. To find out further detail, and keep your finger on the pulse with the Dartmouth Mayflower 400 events as they are released, visit the dedicated Dartmouth Mayflower website. 

• The Mayflower Heritage Walking Trail – The heritage trail tells a true local story, painting a picture of when the Pilgrims sailed into harbour in 1920, and the relationship Dartmouth town had with the voyage. Download the Mayflower Self-Guided Tours app here
• Night of 400 Candles – Running alongside Candlelit Mayflower 2019, this will be an evening of celebration for everyone, as you are welcomed into the light of St Saviour’s Church, illuminated with 400 candles. Enjoy festive music and song, whilst tucking into Mayflower soup with crusty bread to toast the beginning of the Dartmouth Mayflower’s commemoration  
• Mayflower Candlelit – This year, the Dartmouth Candlelit procession will be led by a large Mayflower lantern, followed by small boat lanterns.  Everyone will be encouraged to bring their lanterns to St Saviour’s Church and leave them there on display
• Dartmouth Mayflower Pilgrim Sculpture Exhibition
  From October 10th to November 3rd 2019, the story of the creation of the Dartmouth Mayflower sculpture exhibits at The Flavel, (Dartmouth’s popular arts centre), created and curated by Mark Gregory and the students of Dartmouth Academy. 
• Commencement of Pennant hanging
  On August 1st 2020, the streets and buildings of both Dartmouth United Kingdom and Dartmouth America will be dressed with Pennant flags, all of which are handmade by the local community and from all over the world.
• The £20.20 Mayflower meal deal
  From November 28th 2019 to December 1st 2019, and additionally alongside Mayflower events throughout 2020, Dartmouth welcomes the £20.20 Mayflower meal deal. Various food establishments throughout the town and surrounding area are participating, offering plenty of opportunity for feasting and great value for money!
  

Mayflower 400: Legend & Legacy exhibition at The Box, Plymouth

Looking for the perfect wet weather activity while staying in Dartmouth? From 29th September 2020 – 18th September 2021, The Box Museum in Plymouth are running a ‘Mayflower 400: Legend & Legacy’ exhibition. The exhibition has been created in partnership with the Wampanoag Advisory Committee to Plymouth 400 in Massachusetts, and with the help of over 100 museums, libraries and archives across the UK, US and The Netherlands, to mark the epic journey of survival and imagination. The exhibition also features images of 1000 Mayflower descendants of today!

To find out more and book tickets, click here.

Dartmouth Mayflower are delighted to be part of this program and to work with the businesses and community organisations in the town to deliver a year of commemoration. We have watched the Pennants initiative grow beyond our wildest expectations with contributions coming in from all around the world ready to decorate the town and Dartmouth MA. The recent unveiling of our Sculpture was a great opportunity for the students of Dartmouth Academy to showcase their copper work as part of our Dartmouth Pilgrim. Many proud mums and dads have been able to share the achievements of their children.

The various Festival groups in Dartmouth are coming together in partnership over the next twelve months to bring a little ‘Mayflower’ to their events, we look forward to working together for Dartmouth to deliver some great days out.

Laura Campbell, Destination Marketing Lead, Mayflower 400.

Stay in Dartmouth during the Mayflower 400

Whether you are looking for a centrally located riverside apartment, or a countryside retreat just a short drive away from Dartmouth itself, at Coast & Country Cottages we have an enviable selection of Dartmouth based self-catering properties that will put you right at the heart of the Mayflower 400 events. Take a look at our Dartmouth holiday homes to find your perfect bolthole from which you can enjoy the festivities. 

For more Dartmouth adventures, read our blogs:

• 10 brilliant things to do in Dartmouth
• Exploring the River Dart from the water