Discover Lincolnshire 2020 Guide

Discover
MAYFLOWER 400
Pilgrim Roots
Spectacular
events throughout 2020
Mayf lower 400
2020
2020 marks the 400th anniversary of the
sailing of the Mayflower from Plymouth UK to
Plymouth Massachusetts.
Gainsborough and the Pilgrim Roots region
have a special connection to the Mayflower
anniversary as Separatist movements
originated in this region that led them on their
journey to America.
Join in with spectacular events that will
commemorate this significant historical
moment and discover fascinating places to visit
throughout 2020.
GAINSBOROUGH OLD HALL
Parnell Street, Gainsborough, DN21 2NB
Home to one of England’s best preserved
timber-framed manor houses – Gainsborough
Old Hall dates back to 1460. Separatists were
thought to have worshipped in secret at the
Old Hall with the permission of its sympathetic
owner, merchant William Hickman.
Their preacher, John Smyth, was a strong
influence on the Mayflower Pilgrims, and is
generally considered to have later been a
founder of the Baptist churches. Smyth had a
large following of sixty or seventy people who
were being pushed to conform to the rules of
the established Church. Unable to emigrate
legally without permits they slipped away from
Gainsborough in 1607, escaping to Holland.
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UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
Church Street, Gainsborough, DN21 2JR
The United Reformed Church in
Gainsborough stands as a memorial to John
Robinson, Pastor of the Pilgrims and one of
the founders of the Separatist movement.
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MAYFLOWER ROOM
Open First and Third Thursday of the Month,
10am to 11.30am
To commemorate the anniversary of the
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