Uncover the Pilgrims’ story at its English beginnings

Discover Boston, England

and the story of the Mayflower & Pilgrims

Visit the town where the Mayflower story truly began.
Walk in the footsteps of the Pilgrims and uncover their early history.
Gain fresh insight through the Mayflower & Pilgrim Road Trip.

Boston is one of those places that surprises you. On the surface it’s a quiet Fenland town, but walk its historic streets and the Mayflower story suddenly becomes real. This is where the Pilgrims made their first brave – and ultimately disastrous – attempt to escape England, and where their journey truly began. Standing in the Guildhall courtroom or looking up at the Boston Stump, you can feel the weight of their hopes and fears. It’s a town full of atmosphere, small discoveries, and moving moments that make it an essential stop on the Mayflower & Pilgrim Road Trip.

As part of our Mayflower & Pilgrim Road Trip, we take a step back in time and explore the significance of Boston, England, in the Mayflower story, a town that played a crucial role in the early history of the Pilgrims and their journey to America. We have been working with our friends at Discover Boston to highlight this connection further.

When I have explored Boston, the trip left me with the same feeling: this quiet Fenland town has far more history beneath the surface than you expect. It’s one of those places where the Pilgrim story suddenly stops feeling like something from a school textbook and becomes something lived, risky, and painfully human. If you’re following the Mayflower & Pilgrim Road Trip, Boston is one of the most atmospheric stops on the entire journey.

Walking in the Footsteps of the Pilgrims

Boston is where a small group of Separatists — the people who would eventually attempt the Mayflower voyage — tried to escape England for the first time. Standing in the streets where they were arrested, you can almost imagine the fear, the confusion, and the determination that pushed them forward.

What struck me most is how ordinary the setting feels today. A busy market square. A church tower you can spot for miles. Boats easing down the river. Yet it was right here that the Pilgrims’ first attempt at freedom ended with betrayal, arrest, and imprisonment.

It’s a powerful place to connect with the human side of the story.

Things You Shouldn’t Miss in Boston

Boston Guildhall – the emotional core of the visit

This is where the Pilgrims were brought after they were captured trying to flee to the Netherlands. The courtroom is still intact, and you can stand exactly where they stood while being interrogated.

It’s not a huge museum — but it’s one of the most meaningful parts of the entire Mayflower trail.

St Botolph’s Church (the Boston Stump) - Pictured

You’ll see the tower long before you reach the town. Inside, it’s calm and beautiful, with displays explaining Boston’s links to religious dissenters. If you climb the tower, the view stretches for miles across the Fens, giving you a sense of how isolated (and exposed) this landscape must have felt in the 1600s.turies-old passageway.

The Haven & Riverside

A peaceful walk now, but historically this was the escape route the Pilgrims tried to take. It’s one thing to read about their attempt; it’s another to stand beside the water and imagine them waiting anxiously for a ship that never safely arrived.

Market Place and Historic Streets

Boston was once one of England’s busiest trading ports, and its mediaeval layout still shows it. It’s the kind of town where turning one corner can suddenly reveal a timber-framed building or a centuries-old passageway.

If you’re following the Pilgrim story from Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire to the coast, Boston brings everything into focus. It’s the moment where the Pilgrims’ hopes collided with harsh reality — their first attempt at escape ended here, yet they didn’t give up.

That’s what makes Boston so moving.
It’s not just where the story started.
It’s where the story almost ended.

Boston Today: A Friendly Stop with Real Character

Boston is part of Destination Lincolnshire CIC, and you can feel the pride in how they tell their story. There’s a genuine warmth here — independent cafés, small shops, and locals who’ll happily point you towards the best spots for lunch.

It’s a small town, but one that rewards slow wandering.

Good to know:

Parking is easy around the town centre
Everything is walkable
It’s perfect for a half-day or relaxed full-day stop
Great place to break a longer journey through Lincolnshire or the Fens

Boston Today: What You Can See and Experience

Boston is an easy town to explore on foot, and there’s plenty to see if you’re interested in history, architecture, or simply wandering somewhere with character.

What you can visit today:

Boston Guildhall Museum – Free entry, with original courtroom, Pilgrim displays, and local history exhibits.
St Botolph’s Church (Boston Stump) – Open daily; climb the tower for wide Fenland views.
Fydell House – A Georgian townhouse with peaceful gardens and seasonal tours.
Hussey Tower – Atmospheric 15th-century tower ruins (check opening times).
The Haven Riverside Walk – A flat, scenic route along the River Witham, linked to the Pilgrims’ escape attempt.
Market Place & Old Town – Independent cafés, historic buildings, and a lively weekly market.

Boston is small enough to enjoy at a relaxed pace, but rich enough in heritage that you’ll leave feeling you’ve uncovered a genuinely important chapter of the Mayflower story.

Boston is in south-east Lincolnshire. If you’re driving, it’s an easy route via the A17 or A52, and works well as a stop between Lincoln, the Fens, and the coast. From Nottinghamshire and the Pilgrim villages, expect around 45–60 minutes by car.
Yes. Boston Railway Station sits on the Poacher Line between Skegness and Grantham. From Grantham you can connect to the East Coast Main Line for services to London and the North.
The town has several central car parks, including Rosegarth Street, Bargate Green, and St George’s Road. All are within easy walking distance of the Guildhall and Boston Stump.
Most visitors spend 2–4 hours, enough to see the Guildhall, the Boston Stump, take a riverside walk, and explore the Market Place. A full day works well if you enjoy museums, churches, and slower wandering.
Yes. Larger vehicles can use car parks such as St George’s Road, which has more spacious bays. For overnight stays, look for nearby campsites around the Fens and Lincolnshire coast.
Spring to early autumn offers mild weather for walking and tower climbs, but Boston is a year-round destination. Indoor attractions like the Guildhall and Stump make it easy to explore in any season.