Pilgrim Fathers

The Pilgrim Fathers connection to Boston, Lincolnshire is one of those properly significant historical threads that most people walk past without realising. This is where the Separatists - religious dissenters who broke from the Church of England - gathered in the early 1600s before attempting their escape to the New World. They were arrested here in 1607, and you can still see the Boston Stump, that magnificent church tower, which dominates the town and connects directly to their story.

Walking around Boston's town centre, you're essentially following in their footsteps. The parish church of St Botolph's is the real draw - that tower is visible for miles across the Fens and it's where records of the Pilgrims were kept. You can visit the church itself and explore the museum displays that detail their attempted escape, arrest, and eventual voyage to America aboard the Mayflower. It's worth allowing a couple of hours if you want to do it properly.

This appeals most to history enthusiasts and anyone with an interest in the American colonial story, though frankly, without decent signage or a dedicated visitor centre, you need to know what you're looking for. Kids might find it a bit dry unless they're already engaged with the period. The admission is typically free to wander the streets and visit the church, though donations are welcomed.

If you're staying at Orchard Holiday Park or Appletree Holiday Park nearby, Boston makes a worthwhile half-day trip - it's only minutes away. The fenland setting is bleak but oddly compelling, and the Stump itself is genuinely impressive.