The Church of St Mary, completed in 1716 by local shipbuilders to replace a 12th century church, is very much the historic centre of Rotherhithe. The churchyard has many connections to seafaring amongst its memorials. Four owners of the Mayflower are buried here. In 1620 the Mayflower departed Rotherhithe for America, carrying the Pilgrim Fathers to the New World. The 18th century pub ‘The Mayflower’, opposite the churchyard, also commemorates this event.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
St Mary's Churchyard, Rotherhithe
Borough: Southwark
Grade: Local
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 0.23 ha
Description
Wildlife
The churchyard now acts as a small park, with a good cover of trees and shrubs. A small environmental allotment has been designed by the Trust for Urban Ecology, and is tended by local community groups from the Time & Talents Centre. It contains a good variety of nectar plants.Facilities
Community garden
Blue tit © Susy Hogarth
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