The park sits in Austerfield, and the village has a claim to fame most people never expect: it is the birthplace of one of the founding figures of America.
The birthplace of William Bradford
William Bradford was born here in 1590. As a young man he left for the Netherlands and then, in 1620, sailed on the Mayflower to the New World. He became governor of the Plymouth Colony and one of the most important figures in the story of the Pilgrim Fathers. For a quiet South Yorkshire village, that is quite a legacy.
St Helena Church
The Norman church of St Helena, where Bradford was baptised, still stands in the village and has a memorial to him inside. It is a genuinely old and atmospheric building, and if you have any interest in history it is well worth a look. Best of all, it is only a short walk from the park.
On the Mayflower pilgrim trail
Austerfield sits on the Mayflower trail that links the places connected with the Pilgrim Fathers across South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire, including nearby Scrooby and Babworth. Four hundred years on, the story still draws visitors from around the world, and here it is simply your local village.
History on your doorstep
It is a lovely thing to have on your doorstep, a quiet village with a genuine place in history. Bawtry Lodge Country Park is a family-run park right here in Austerfield, with luxury lodges for sale in Yorkshire, every price up front. Come and see the setting for yourself.
Why is Austerfield famous?
It is the birthplace of William Bradford, born in 1590, who sailed on the Mayflower in 1620 and became governor of the Plymouth Colony in America.
Can you visit the church?
St Helena Church, where Bradford was baptised, still stands in the village and has a memorial to him. It is a short walk from the park.
Is Austerfield on the Mayflower trail?
Yes. The village is part of the Mayflower pilgrim trail linking sites across South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.