The escape of Charles II after the Battle of Worcester in 1651.

For six exciting weeks, and hotly pursued by the Parliamentary forces under Oliver Cromwell, he travelled first north towards Wales, then south through the Cotswolds and the Mendips to the South Coast, and finally along the South Downs to Shoreham where he made his escape to France.

Loyally supported by his followers, many at great risk to their own lives, he was given shelter in places both great and humble, many of which still exist today.

This long distance walk (615 miles) using footpaths and bridleways closely follows the route taken by Charles and enables you to visit many historic sites and buildings, maybe only previously known to you through the history books. It also takes you through two World Heritage Sites, one National Park and six Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty plus some of the finest scenery in western and southern England.

The walk is waymarked and is shown on the latest editions of the Ordnance Survey's Landranger and Explorer maps. The route is described in detail in three books by Trevor Antill, published by Meridian Books. Each book is divided into sections so enabling you to pick out suitable day walks if you are not intending to follow the complete route - please visit our 'About Page' for more information.

'Walk a day, live a week'
(Old French proverb)

Good Walking !

The Monarch's Way logo below represents the Royal Oak tree at Boscobel (in which the King famously hid with Colonel Carless); the Prince of Wales crown; and the ship 'The Surprise' on which Charles eventually escaped to France.

The logo also forms the basis of the  waymarks which sign the Way throughout its historic 615 mile length.

'Walk a day, live a week' (Old French proverb) Good Walking !

The Monarch's Way Association 

The Association was formed just a couple of years after the launch of the Way itself.   Apart from providing a service to members, publishing a bi-annual bulletin and generally maintaining waymarking and the like, the aims of the Association are:

• to promote a knowledge of the way
• to further the historical knowledge of those times
• to establish an informal stewardship of the Way
• to advise local highway authorities of footpath maintenance issues

                              and

• to establish and maintain links with like minded organisations

To achieve these aims the Association has no membership fee at present (other than a nominal supply of SAE's to offset postal costs) but largely relies upon any generous donations forthcoming from members and principally from donations received from clubs, societies and associations following the presentation of our illustrated talks about The Monarch's Way.   There are three talks, each one coinciding with the three guide books which describe the 615 mile route.

Should you or your organisation be interested in these illustrated talks then please email us via the link below for further information.