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I’ve put together a virtual tour of Scrooby in honor of the 400th anniversary of The Mayflower fast approaching. Many had made plans to travel to see the lands of their forefathers but things are uncertain now about travel and celebrations both in the United Kingdom and the United States due to Covid-19 so allow me to share a virtual tour of Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, England, from which Elder William Brewster and his family hailed.

Celebrating the 400th Anniversary of The Mayflower with a Virtual Tour of Scrooby #scrooby #mayflower #history #pilgrims #ancestry #atozchallenge #thejoyousliving

Scrooby’s Connection to Elder William Brewster

Elder William Brewster lived at The Manor House where first his father, also named William, and then himself held the position of postmaster of Scrooby.

After becoming a Puritan, Brewster invited John Robinson and Richard Clifton, leaders of the Brownist Church, to hold church meetings in their manor house in Scrooby before it became too dangerous to hold such meetings and they fled (illegally at the time) to Holland.

Where is Scrooby?

Mayflower Trail by British Heritage
Pilgrim Country Map (c) British Heritage

Scrooby is a small village in North Nottinghamshire just south of Bawtry.

Virtual Tour of Scrooby

The village of Scrooby is so small that it is said it would only take you 1-2 hours on foot to explore the area.

The 3 main areas of interest are:

The Manor House (privately owned)

Scrooby Manor Photograph taken in 19th century

Tours are not given of the remnants of the farmhouse but it can be best viewed from Station Road to the south of the site.

The Pilgrim Fathers Pub

Pilgrim Fathers Pub Sign
(c) British Heritage Travel

The town pub is named after the American Founding Fathers (including Scrooby’s own William Brewster). It is recommended on your trek along the Mayflower Trail since “much of the local story is told in artifacts and replicas at Scrooby’s village pub.”

Endeavour Series Finale: Everything You Need to Know (S9)
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St. Wilfrids Church (Church of England)

A Grade II listed parish church dating back to the 15th century. Before becoming a Puritan, William Brewster and his family worshipped at Scrooby Church.

Brewster Pews at Scrooby Church
(c) Pilgrim Fathers Origins

There are 3 benches, known as the Brewster Pews, in the south aisle of St. Wilfrids Church. They have panelled bench ends and richly hand-carved backs with bands of vines and bunches of grapes and possibly date from the 16th century. One bench forms a divide between the east end of the south aisle and the rest of the aisle.

What Else to Do in the Area?

Since Scrooby is such a small village, you’ll want to make your visit a part of a larger pilgrimage. British Heritage Travel has a suggested Mayflower Trail that you can take on your own through Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.

Sharing is Caring!

Celebrate the Mayflower 400th Anniversary with a virtual tour of Scrooby Nottinghamshire. Walk where the pilgrims did. For the 400th anniversary of Plymouth, take a virtual tour of Scrooby. Learn about Elder William Brewster from Scrooby Nottinghamshire who traveled on the Mayflower. #mayflower #plymouthpilgrim #williambrewster #virtualtours #thejoyousliving

In the Footsteps of the Pilgrims 400 Years Later #Pilgrims #Mayflower #Scrooby #WilliamBrewster #Ancestor #history #genealogy #atozchallenge #thejoyousliving

I hope you’ve enjoyed this informal tour of Scrooby. Will you be planning a trip along the Mayflower Trail in honor of the 400th anniversary of The Mayflower?