Mayflower Steps facts for kids
The Mayflower Steps are a special place in Plymouth, south-west England. This is where the Pilgrim Fathers are believed to have left England. They sailed on a ship called the Mayflower on September 6, 1620. Their journey took them across the Atlantic Ocean to settle in North America. The place they landed in North America is known as Plymouth Rock.
What Are the Mayflower Steps?
Today, the Mayflower Steps look like a grand entrance. It has a special archway with strong columns made of stone. This part was built in 1934. There is also a small platform that reaches over the water. It has a shiny steel rail and a shelf with cool bronze artwork. You can find historical facts about the journey there. This platform is on a small pier. People think this pier was built a long time ago. It was made when old houses were removed to build a road.
The Mayflower's Journey
The people who sailed on the Mayflower were called Pilgrims. Most of them came from a different part of England. They had no plans to stop in Plymouth. But bad weather in the English Channel forced them to change course. They needed to find shelter and fix their ship. So, they stopped in Plymouth for repairs.
Some old buildings in Plymouth are still standing today. People believe these buildings housed some of the Pilgrims. One is the Plymouth Gin Distillery. Another is the Island House on the Quay. The Pilgrims might have stayed there for a night or more.
Where the Mayflower Sailed From
Historians have tried to find the exact spot where the Mayflower finally left. They believe it was close to where a pub called the Admiral MacBride is now. Today, you can take boat trips from the Mayflower Steps. These trips explore the Plymouth Sound. You can also go up the River Tamar. From there, you can see the big ships at Devonport Dockyard.
