M400 - London to Southampton 7 day cruise

The Mayflower journey itself began 400 years ago with a voyage from Rotherhithe on the south bank of the Thames via Gravesend to Southampton, where she planned to meet up with Speedwell who was bringing other pilgrims from Leiden in Holland.

In 2020, we will generally only be sailing during the day, mooring up in harbour overnight, or anchoring in a sheltered location if weather allows. If the weather and wind are fair, and the crew willing and able, we may press on and sail into the night further along the coast.

Entries from the original Mayflower log are shown in italics. 

23 July

17.00 Embark at Hermitage Wharf in the shadow of Tower Bridge and just 5 minutes walk from the Tower of London.

Introductions and safety briefing before dinner on board followed a short stroll to St Catherine’s Dock and a chance to see other Thames barges moored in the docks.

24 July

Dropped down the Thames Gravesend with the tide. Mayflower log

08.00 Breakfast on board.

09.30 Cast off from Hermitage Wharf and motor slowly down the Thames with a chance to see: London Millennium Dome / O2 arena; Rotherhithe docks, where the Mayflower set out from, the Cutty Sark; Christopher Wren’s Greenwich Hospital; cross the Greenwich meridian; Canary Wharf and the old London Docklands; the Thames Barrage. Enjoying lunch and refreshments on the way.

17.00 Moor at Gravesend Pier for the night.

19.00 Dinner on board.

25 July (Start of Cowes Classics Regatta)

Gravesend. Finished landing. Got passengers aboard and got under way for Southampton. Mayflower log.

07.00 Breakfast on board.

08.00 Cast off and set sail down the lower Thames into the Thames estuary. Passing the Isle of Sheppey and the North Kent coast, round North Foreland and head south into the English Channel past the notorious shifting Goodwin Sands. Lunch and refreshments will be served underway. Late afternoon moor for the night in Ramsgate or Dover depending on progress.

20.00 Dinner on board.

26 July

07.00 Breakfast on board.

08.00 Cast off, sail past the White Cliffs of Dover along the South Kent and Sussex coasts past Dungeness and Hastings. Lunch and refreshments will be served underway. There will be plenty of time to learn more about sailing Snark and to take a turn at the helm.

Late afternoon moor for the night in Eastbourne or Brighton depending on progress.

20.00 Dinner on board.

27 July (Cowes Classics Regatta)

07.00 Breakfast on board.

08.00 Cast off, sail past Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters Cliffs and Brighton and along the West Sussex coast, through the Looe passage and on to the eastern entrance to the Solent, past the historic defensive forts and Portsmouth Harbour to Cowes. Refreshments and lunch on board while sailing.

Late afternoon anchor for the night off Cowes, the famous home of English yachting.

20.00 Water taxi for dinner ashore or if arrival delayed, dinner on board.

Please note: This itinerary may need to be varied to suit the tide, wind and weather. We may arrive in the Solent a day later than planned, limiting our time in Cowes.

28 July (Cowes Classics Regatta)

In Channel. Southampton Water. Mayflower Log.

08:00 Breakfast on board.

Anchor off Cowes in the Solent as spectators of the work boat and Classic Yacht Racing. Refreshments and lunch on board.

Those who want a break from the water can take water taxi ashore to visit Cowes and Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's summer home, Osbourne House.

19:00 Dinner on board or water taxi ashore for dinner in Cowes.

29 July

Arrived at Southampton and came to anchor.

08.00 Breakfast on board.

09.30 Sail from Cowes up Southampton Water to Town Quay, The original West Quay where Mayflower berthed is now landlocked with extensive land reclamation but is a 5 minute walk from the Town Quay.

12.30 Disembark in Southampton.

All food and refreshments whilst onboard are included along with bedding and linen. 

For further details of what you need to bring and what to expect see Stuff you need to know.