Commemorating Mayflower 400 in 2020.

In 1620, 102 passengers and a crew of approximately 30 departed from Plymouth to seek a new life in the Americas. After several months at sea, the Puritans landed in what is now Massachusetts. Half of them perished during the first harsh winter. The remainder established a colony that grew as more pilgrims made the arduous trip on later sailings. The 400th anniversary of this voyage will be commemorated in 2020 with a series of events at key locations around England.

Key events during the year include Mayflower Week and a memorial ceremony with representatives from the UK, US, Netherlands, and the Wampanoag people. This will take place in Plymouth in September. Two major exhibitions will also launch in Plymouth. Mayflower 400: Legend and Legacy will explore events leading up to the departure of the Puritans and what the journey has meant historically. Wampum: Stories and Shells from Native America will pay tribute to the Massachusetts people and their relationship with the pilgrims. Other Mayflower Festivals will take place at Southampton, Dartmouth, and Harwich.

Mayflower 400 Mobile App

Tourism officials expect a large number of visitors from the US during the year. Many of them will be keen to follow in the footsteps of their ancestors. Both tourists and UK-based history buffs may be interested in an accompanying mobile app. The free Mayflower Self-Guided Tours app is available for both Android and iPhone. It provides access to a series of walking tours and trails in locations around England that have a connection to the Mayflower voyage. Explore at your own pace, with GPS alerting you about nearby points of interest and the role they played. Learn where the Mayflower passengers came from, how the voyage came to be, and what challenges they faced before departure.