TWO THOUSAND YEARS OF CHRISTIAN HERITAGE
Explore this area's two thousand years of Christian heritage. Starting from the early Christian Church, the great medieval cathedrals, the English Reformation, the Mayflower Pilgrims ('Pilgrim Fathers'), the origins of the Congregational Church, the first Baptists, the first miracles and martyrs of the Quakers, the origins of Methodism and the Salvation Army, and the modern-day churches.
GROUP TOURS
These are some of the tours we can tailor specifically to suit the needs of your group.
If you would prefer to join us on one of our upcoming scheduled tours - you can book here.
EXPLORE THE MAYFLOWER ORIGINS
MAYFLOWER PILGRIMS HIGHLIGHTS
The story of the ‘Mayflower’ began with a puritan preacher at Babworth and a growing congregation of fellow radicals including William Brewster and William Bradford. Our highlights tour visits their houses, churches and villages set in beautiful English countryside.
THE FIRST ENGLISH BAPTISTS
BAPTIST HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS
The first English Baptists came from the villages and markets of Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire from where the movement spread to America, taking with it ideas of religious tolerance uniquely developed by this small group of faithful people. This tour combines history with the present – meet local Baptist leaders and find how the tradition still thrives today.
ORIGINS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL TRADITION
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH HISTORY
The Congregational tradition effectively began in England with the separatists led by Clifton, Robinson and Brewster, some of whom went to America on the ‘Mayflower’. Their early history was written by another migrant, John Cotton of Boston. Explore the lives, land and churches of these people and meet some of the English congregations.
THE ROOTS OF THE USA
AMERICA'S HERITAGE (1-3 DAYS)
Two successive waves of migration – in 1620, and then again from 1629-34 – cemented powerful connections between Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and the future states of the USA. Explore the roots of Captain John Smith, William Bradford, John Cotton, Anne Bradstreet and the city of Boston itself, and trace the ideas that gave birth to the First Amendment.
HOMES AND CHURCHES OF THE MAYFLOWER PILGRIMS
MAYFLOWER PILGRIMS FULL DAY
This tour explores the origins and development of the ‘Separatists’ and the ‘Mayflower’ Pilgrims, visiting beautiful and ancient churches and villages with a tour of one of Britain’s finest medieval houses. Includes Worksop Priory, Babworth, Scrooby, Austerfield, Gainsborough and options of Sturton or choral evensong at Lincoln Cathedral.
BIRTH OF METHODISM
JOHN WESLEY HIGHLIGHTS
John Wesley loved the land of his birth, launched his renewed ministry standing on his father’s tomb, and returned at least every two years. Hear his words and feel his heart in the actual places he spoke them. Visit Epworth and the Old Rectory in this area that Wesley declared he loved above all others.
CATHEDRALS, CHURCHES AND RUINED MONASTERIES
THE BEST CATHEDRALS, CHURCHES AND MONASTERIES
The best of England’s old churches and ruins are to be found in its countryside. This tour takes you through Sherwood Forest to see romantic ruined monasteries converted into stately homes or parish churches, includes the inspiring Southwell Minster and concludes with choral evensong in Europe’s best cathedral – Lincoln.
PILGRIMS, BAPTISTS AND COUNTRY CHURCHES
FROM HERE WE CHANGED THE WORLD
Gainsborough and West Lindsey have a unique place in Christian and American history as the place from which the ‘Pilgrims’ began their journey, where the English-speaking Baptists began and where key influencers of the First Amendment lived. This unique tour explores the origins of these movements that changed America and the World.
DAY TRIPS FROM LONDON & OTHER CITIES
Why not travel by train. Most of our tours can be enjoyed as part of a day trip from London or other UK city.
