Family-Finding Old World Connections across the Counties
We rarely go exploring in Britain with the idea of pursuing American history. It should hardly be surprising, though, to find American connections in almost every village and market town. If you happen to be in the neighborhood, here are 10 great visits that in one form or another played their part in American history from the first Atlantic exploration to the last century.
1. BRISTOL
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The first English explorer of North America, John Cabot sailed the Matthew out of Bristol in 1497. Both 17th-century colonial settlers and trade with the colonies flowed through Bristol’s still-fascinating harbor. Visit the replica Matthew and Brunel’s S.S. Great Britain.
www.visitbristol.co.uk
2. PLYMOUTH
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The Barbican is old Plymouth’s historic waterfront. Amidst the shops and eateries around the harbor, visit the Mayflower Steps, where the Pilgrim congregation bid farewell to England. Unfold Plymouth’s adventurous maritime past at the Mayflower Museum.
www.visitplymouth.co.uk
3. ST. BOTOLPH'S CHURCH, BOSTON
1084px-Stump St. Botolphs
Popular Puritan rector John Cotton inspired the 1630 exodus to Massachusetts Bay led by John Winthrop. Cotton and more than a third of Boston’s population followed. Both church and town contributed much to early New England settlement.4. GLASTONBURY PILGRIMAGE
Begun in 1924, on a June Saturday the ecclesiastical pilgrimage is a colorful church procession and service in Glastonbury Abbey's church ruins, at what is perhaps Britain's oldest Christian site. Devout gather from across England, and the world.
5. JORDAN, BUCKS
jordan bucks
www.wokingquakers.org/background/centres/jordans
6. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HOUSE
Photo credit: NH53, 1200px-American_Air_Museum_duxford