This is a short "tourist guide" to the Mayflower Steps in Plymouth, Devon most famous for being the place where the Mayflower set sail in 1620 (below). I thought those Americans who read this blog may like to see the place where the Mayflower set sail.
The steps are marked by the stone archway with a platform over the sea. There are British and American flags flying either side of the arch.
Plymouth has been an important port since tudor times, and is also famous as the place where Sir Francis Drake sailed from many times. It's also where the "Tolpuddle Martyrs" arrived back from their imprisonment in Australia in 1838 - their crime - being in a Trade Union. (The Tolpuddle Martyrs are famous in England as being trade union hero's though in fact they were not executed, and therefore not really martyrs, just transported to Australia).
The Mayflower steps have a fantastic view out to sea, with a lovely plaque curved in the arch of the monument rail that reads:
As one small candle may light a thousand,
So the light here kindled hath shone to many yea,
In some sorte to our whole nation.
In my last visit to Plymouth I recorded a short video with my iPhone showing the panoramic view near the steps. The exact place where the Mayflower steps are about 35 seconds in, look for the white flag poles with the UK and US flags. It was quite windy that day (as you will hear!).
Plymouth today is one of two large cities in Devon. It is a bustling place with tourist attractions, museums and historic buildings and well worth a visit if you are in the UK. Many Americans come to Plymouth each year to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Late edit: I've posted twice about my favourite show Horrible Histories, there is a new series out this week in the UK. By co-incidence one of the new songs is about the Mayflower and the pilgrim fathers:
Jenna Dawlish
Jenna Dawlish is the author of two Victorian Novels: Love Engineered and Sprig of Thyme.
