Step on Board
Plan your visit to The Matthew

The wind whistling through the sails, a seagull soaring overhead and the gentle rolling of a 15th-century caravel. As you look out to sea, imagine what it must have been like for Giovanni Caboto and his crew, sailing toward the unknown.

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You will enter the world of 15th-century Europe and discover the events that led to Caboto’s voyage. You will learn the fundamentals of early navigators, feel the weight of a deep-sea, and take a sighting through an astrolabe.

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Our knowledgeable guides are on deck and ready to answer all your questions. Your visit includes a guided tour of the Matthew Replica. This 92-foot-long wooden caravel is a full-scale reproduction of the ship that carried Caboto and his crew from Bristol to the New World in 1497. Hear the story of that voyage  and take a peek inside Caboto’s cabin and admire the work of our local shipwright. 

Take a peek inside the boat bay – the Matthew’s current home – and explore the challenges of recreating a 15th-century vessel. Climb below deck to catch a glimpse of life at sea. Smell the salty air and oiled wood. Listen and let us spark your imagination with true tales of adventure, discovery, and unexpected rewards.

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Complete your visit with a stop at Mattea’s Gift Shop, where you’ll find a wide range of souvenirs, reproductions and local artisan crafts.