Established in 1550, and London's oldest pub to be built by the Thames, the Mayflower Pub overflowed with history. Set in the London homeport of Rotherhithe, the pub is located at the original mooring point of Pilgrim Fathers’ Mayflower ship which, under the command of Capt Christopher Jones, set sail on its epic journey to America in July 1620.
Front entrance and seating,
Rotherhithe St
View over the river, Tripadvisor
At low tide see original 1620 mooring point of Pilgrim Father’s Mayflower ship
In July 1620, the Mayflower ship took 65 passengers aboard, from its London homeport of Rotherhithe on the River Thames. It is believed that the Pilgrim Fathers had their last meal and gathered provisions in this very establishment. Rumour suggested that Capt Jones cunningly moored here to avoid paying taxes further down the river. The Mayflower journeyed onwards to Southampton for supplies and to rendezvous with the Speedwell ship. But after many delays, false starts and a dangerous leak, the Speedwell’s journey with The Mayflower was abandoned. In Sept 1620, Captain Jones set sail with 102 passengers and c30 crew members from Plymouth on a prosperous wind.
After sighting land in Nov 1620, strong winter seas forced the Rotherhithe captain to anchor at Cape Cod, much further North than the original destination, Virginia. To establish legal order in their new homeland, the settlers agreed to write and sign The Mayflower Compact. In Nov the Mayflower anchored at Cape Cod where the settlers signed the Compact, which set out the first framework of a U.S government. The Mayflower pub apparently had some of the ship’s original timbers incorporated into its structure
Capt Jones later returned to London on the Mayflower, arriving at the home port of Rotherhithe in May 1621. He died less than a year later and was buried at St Mary's church in Rotherhithe. This was close to the mooring point of the Mayflower where she sank in the Thames, no longer useful as a ship. A commemorative plaque to Mayflower voyage now adorns the side of St Mary’s church; plus a memorial statue, dedicated to the memory of Captain Christopher Jones, sits in the churchyard.
Capt Jones later returned to London on the Mayflower, arriving at the home port of Rotherhithe in May 1621. He died less than a year later and was buried at St Mary's church in Rotherhithe. This was close to the mooring point of the Mayflower where she sank in the Thames, no longer useful as a ship. A commemorative plaque to Mayflower voyage now adorns the side of St Mary’s church; plus a memorial statue, dedicated to the memory of Captain Christopher Jones, sits in the churchyard.
dark and atmospheric with wooden furniture, cosy open fire
Anyone visiting the Mayflower Pub, if they are direct descents from one of the Pilgrim fathers, is welcome to sign the Descendants Book. So strong is the Mayflower’s connections to the U.S that it is the only pub in the UK that is licensed to sell US postage stamps.
A visit offers amazing riverside views from its terrace whilst inside offers wooden pews, a cosy fire and a lively, authentic atmosphere. To deepen the historic experience, wander to St Mary’s Church across from The Mayflower and you can see the grave of Captain Christopher Jones himself.
Nestled on the Thames, The Mayflower Pub in Rotherhithe is a true London treasure, offering a fine blend of history, hospitality, and stunning riverside views. My last visit was a pleasure, and it's easy to see why this establishment holds a special place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike. The first thing that captivates you is the location. The pub's outdoor seating area provides an unparalleled panorama of the river, with views that stretch from the iconic Canary Wharf skyline to the bustling activity on the water. The views alone are worth the trip.
While the scenery is breathtaking, the staff makes The Mayflower special. When patrons walk in, they are met with genuine warmth and efficiency. They are happy to offer recommendations and share a bit of the pub's fascinating history, making for a truly welcoming experience.
The walls are covered with many historical portraits, paintings and maps
The beers are kept in great condition, and beer drinkers say it was a pleasure to sample a few of the options on tap. There’s something for every taste and the quality is above average pub fare. [Since I don't drink beer, good wine and friendly staff are more important to me]. A must-visit for anyone looking for an essentially British pub experience with a touch of romance.
It is situated directly opposite Sands Films and Picture Research Library, adjacent to The Brunel Museum.
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20 comments:
I have of course heard of the Mayflower ship, didn't know the year it sailed to America did know it was in the 1600's, I didn't know anything about the pub so found this interesting
I'm going to pop in the Mayflower Pub for a pint and think of you Hels :)
Wonderful post on the Mayflower Pub, all those photos on the wall, how wonderful to visit in person and see such history.
You beautifully weave the Mayflower Pub’s deep historical roots with your own warm impressions, capturing both its maritime legacy and timeless charm along the Thames
What happened to the original Mayflower ship? Can the beer drinkers climb aboard?
Jo-Anne
Most people know little more than that the Mayflower ship took the Pilgrim Fathers to North America, not the dates, source port, destination port or the captain. Including me.
Yet this was a really interesting bit of history
Liam,
go in summer, sit outside and drink a chilled white wine for me :) If you have wonderful photos, you can find me at helenw@bigpond.net.au
Fun60
many thanks! Mayfair is 9 ks away from the pub, so although Mayfair's history is fascinating in itself, I have no idea why I included the two names in the one post.
Margaret
buildings are almost never identical to what the locals saw in the 16th century since inevitably severe damage occurs. In this case, the building's upper floors were ruined during WW2.
Apparently Mayflower pub was rebuilt during the late 1950s and renamed the Mayflower after the nearby mooring of the Pilgrim settlers’ famous ship. It seems the rebuilt version tried very hard to model itself on the early building materials, furniture and decorative arts - as you enjoyed!
roentare
I was at a conference many years ago when the entire group of art historians was taken to the Mayflower Pub. I may not drink beer, but I loved the atmosphere inside and the historical views outside. So did all the other Australians and New Zealanders.
Student
apparently once the original Mayflower ship was destroyed not too long after the trip to the US and its return. And many replicas called Mayflower were built over the generations.
Alas I have no idea :(
The Harwich Mayflower Heritage Centre hoped to build a replica of the ship at Harwich, but did it ever get completed by 2018? And a full-scale replica of the ship was burnt in Great Torrington in Devon in 2021.
Hello Hels,
We once had an apartment in Rotherhithe and have, on occasions, visited the Mayflower pub. It is, as you write, steeped in history but with wonderfully contemporary hospitality. Indeed, very much worth a visit.
The area has undergone dramatic redevelopment in recent times but Rotherhithe benefits from lower house prices and great views of the Canada Water skyscrapers on the opposite bank of the Thames. At night, one can just about believe that one is living in Manhattan.
Jane and Lance
Joe and I lived in North London and Herts for a few years in the early 1970s, and I have been back many times for conferences and reunions since. But I had never heard of Rotherhithe until taken there by a conference organiser decades later. How strange...I know the names Southwark and Wapping of course, but the memory problem could be a function of old age *sigh*
Did you know Hungarian before you moved to Budapest? It has to be the toughest language anywhere.
Hello Hels, When I was in England, I went to a few pubs along with friends who wanted to visit them (I don''t drink any alcohol at all), but I'm pretty sure none of them was the Mayflower. The ones I recall were more Elizabethan looking. Still, pubs are such a fixture of England that it would have been a pity not to experience their atmosphere.
---Jim
What a great looking pub. And it's fascinating that it's built near where the Mayflower was. I grew up in Massachusetts and have been to the town the Pilgrim's built in Plymouth a couple of times (it's not the original town-that's long gone), so I really enjoyed learning about this connection. There's always more to every story, isn't there? Have a great rest of your weekend.
Parnassus
it doesn't matter that you don't drink any alcohol and I don't drink beer. Visitors go to Mayflower Pub for the same reason as we go to medieval cathedrals, renaissance universities and 19th century racing courses - to absorb ourselves in that country's culture in that particular century. To inspect the furniture, art works, external architecture and to eat the food :)
Erika
actually the pub, originally named the Shippe Inn, was built well _before_ the Mayflower ship and all its adventures. Although we can see that the Shippe Inn later cashed in on the fame of the ship, changing the pub's name, filling the pub with images and maps, and maximising views of the river and port. I love it :)
Most of my ancestors came over in 1600's.
Peppylady
That probably makes you part of a historically important family :)
Have you visited the London pub and the river port? Have you signed the Descendants' Book?
Do you have any written historical texts back to the 1600s?
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