Scrooby: Disused barn to be converted into Pilgrim Fathers’ Heritage Centre

Scrooby is recognised by the Mayflower descendents in the US as the spiritual home of the Pilgrim Fathers.

Scrooby Manor, formerly part of the Archbishop of York’s Palace and home to leading Mayflower Pilgrim William Brewster, still exists and visitors can arrange guided tours.

And this week, The Pilgrim Fathers UK Origins Association has come to an agreement with Enterprise Inns to turn the disused barn, on Great North Road, into a central hub.

Anthony Darbyshire, chairman of the association, said: “It is very important that we create a central hub for the Pilgrim Fathers heritage in the UK and Scrooby is the right place.”

“We hope to open the centre at Easter in 2017 which is well before the anniversary.”

“I am sure that we can build much stronger links with the Mayflower descendents in the US and promote the importance of this heritage locally.”

The design features an entrance between the pub and the barn with a lift and stairs to the upper floor and a connection passage to the pub.

The ground floor will feature static and interactive displays of sites in the local separatist area and Pilgrim Fathers sites in the US.

There will also be a shop which will provide merchandise and upstairs will include a room for meetings.