Locations

The timeline identified forty-eight key locations connected with the escape. This page tells you a something about them, where they can be found and if they can be visited. It also lists twenty-five locations of lesser importance or with unimpressive provenance.

A list of the places where Charles is believed to have slept during the escape can be found here.

	Location	Recent photograph	Plaques	Historic picture	Relation to Monarch's Way
1	Powick Bridge On 3 September 1651, the forces of the future King Charles II were routed by Cromwell's New Model Army at Worcester, the main battle taking place near Powick.				On the MW
2	Confluence of Teme and Severn Cromwell's troops built bridges over the rivers Teme and Severn to attack Royalist troops to the West of the City				On the MW
3	Worcester Cathedral Charles and Royalist commanders watched the battle develop from the tower of Worcester Cathedral.				Not quite on the MW, see my Battle of Worcester Walk. Open to visitors.
4	Commandery, Worcester As the battle was waged to the West, Charles moved to the Royalist HQ, the Commandery (near Sidbury Gate) to attack on Cromwell's troops in the East.				On the MW. Open to visitors.
5	Fort Royal, Worcester Fort Royal was a Royalist redoubt on a hill just beyond Sidbury gate, to the east of the City. When the Roundheads took this late in the day, the battle was effectively lost.				Not directly on MW, see my Battle of Worcester Walk. Now a public park
6	King Charles House, Worcester From Fort Royal, Cromwell's forces moved on to take the Commandery Charles fled along Friar Street to his lodgings and escaped via the back door near St Martin's Gate.				On the MW. A working pub. Serves good pies
7	Site of St Martin's Gate, Worcester Charles left the city with a group of Officers via St Martin's Gate, the only gate which has not yet fallen to the Roundheads.				On the MW.
8	Barbourne Bridge One mile outside Worcester, at Barbourne Bridge, the Royal Party conferred. It was agreed that Charles would ride North with a small group of supporters.				Not on MW, on the edge Gheluvelt Park - see my Battle of Worcester Walk
9	Kings Arms, Ombersley According to tradition, when fleeing from the battle, Charles stopped briefly at a pub now known as The King's Arms while escaping after the battle.				The Kings Arms is in the centre of Ombersley. The MW comes within two miles where it runs West of Droitwich.
10	The Manor House at Whittington A conference was held some 15 miles into the journey North at a place called 'Kinver Heath'. Whittington Manor, near Kinver is sometimes identified as the location. It seems that as a result of the conference, the party diverted due east to Stourbridge.				Whittington Manor is now a restaurant, about three miles due west of the MW, on the A449.
11	Stourbridge town centre The Royal party encountered troops in Stourbridge but avoided attention and carried on out, now heading for White Ladies Priory, North of Wolverhampton.				On the MW
12	White Ladies Priory ruins Arriving in the early hours of 4 September, Charles was welcomed to White Ladies by Richard Penderel, a Catholic Recusant whose family looked after the Boscobel estate.				On the MW. Always open.
13	Spring Coppice Early morning after arrival, he was taken to Spring Coppice, a small wood in the grounds of White Ladies, to rest and hide.				About 1.3 miles west of White Ladies, on private land. About half a mile from Tong.
14	Hobbal Grange ruins A plan was formed to escape via the Welsh coast. Charles and Richard Penderel walked to Madeley on 4 September where a sympathiser lived. The journey was broken by a meal a Hobbal Grange.				On MW. Always open.
15	Evelith Mill There was an altercation at Evelith Mill later in the day when Charles thought he had been recognised.				On the MW, can be seen from road
16	Madeley Barn Charles discovered that Cromwell's men were patrolling the Severn so the way to Wales was blocked. He spent the 5th September hiding in a barn at Madeley and travelled to Boscobel House in the evening.				On the MW.
17	Wesley Brook When returning to Boscobel, Charles had difficulty fording a river, most likely Wesley Brook.				Charles crossed this stream on his return journey close to Everlith Mill, perhaps where there is now a wood called King Charles Wood. The return journey of the MW makes the crossing a long way south, across what has become the River Worfe, just before Beckbury.
18	Boscobel House Arrived in the early hours of the 6th and spent day hiding in the famous Oak Tree and the night in a priest hole.				On the MW, open to visitors.
19	Royal Oak at Boscobel Charles spent the day of the 6th in the tree being supported by Major Careless. This was the most famous part of the escape; the tree became a major icon of Charles' reign.				Close to MW. Visit Boscobel House to get closer.
20	Pendeford Mill ruins On 7 September, Charles was taken to another Catholic House, Moseley Old Hall, by the Penderel brothers. He was handed over at Pendeford Mill.				The mill site is in Pendeford Mill Nature Reserve, off Pendeford Hall Lane. To access, where the Way leaves Lawn Road, carry on for 200 yards and turn left. The Mill remains are at the far end of the reserve, there is a plan of the site on view which should help. Allow one hour for the diversion.
21	Moseley Old Hall Spent the nights of 7 and 8 September at the Hall. Left for Bentley Hall on 9 September.				On MW, open to visitors
22	Bentley Hall ruins At Bentley, developed plan to sail for France from Bristol. Left on the morning of 10 September.				Close by MW.
23	Ye Olde Black Cross, Bromsgrove Stopped at blacksmith forge in Bromsgrove to get horse reshod. The forge is now a pub.				On MW, a working pub.
24	Kings Lane, Stratford Encounters troops at what is now Kings Lane, outside Stratford.				On MW.
25	Kings Lodge, Long Marsden Stayed here on the night of 10 September.				On the MW.
26	The Fleece (formerly The Sun), Cirencester Charles stayed at Cirencester on the night on 11 September, most likely at this Inn.				Close to MW in Cirencester Town Centre. A working pub.
27	Old Leigh Court Demolished 1815 and replaced by Leigh Court, 500m to the north east. Charles stayed for nights of 12-15 September. As there were no boats from Bristol, Charles decided to sail from the South Coast and left early on 16 September.				Quite a way off the MW, but well worth a diversion, if only for the fun of exploration. After Abbot's Leigh church, turn right, later right again towards Garden centre. The remnants of a stone gazebo and a garden lake are just visible opposite garden Centre Car Park. This is all that is left of a great house.
28	The Old House, Ansford Most likely location for stay of night of 16 September.				Unfortunately, the official MW route recommends a footpath just beyond the parish notice board in the road known as Lower Ashford. Carrying on along this road means you pass The Old House which is a private residence. Carrying on, you soon re-join the official path
29	Trent Manor Stayed for 17-21 September while Charmouth plan developed. Returns to stay for 24 September to 5 October while Brighton plan hatched. "...Trent, the ark in which God shut him up when the floods of rebellion had covered the face of his dominions."				A private home. Parts of the building, including the room where Charles stayed can be seen from the Church Grounds at Trent, close to the MW.
30	Elsdon Farm, Monkton Wylde The party took a break on his journey to Charmouth, most likely at Elsdon Farm, very near Hawkchurch.				The MW arrives at Monkton Wyld by going down Elsdon Lane; near the Church it turns left. The Farm House can be found by carrying on to near the end of Elsdon Lane, near the A35. There is little to see though, it is on private land.
31	The Abbots House (formerly the Queens Arms), Charmouth Charles and his party went to Charmouth on 22 September to board a boat to France, but the boat did not appear. They left the next morning to return to Trent.				Close to the MW, about 50 yards to the left as the way crosses The Street. A private house but has adjacent self-catering accommodation and monthly dining evenings.
32	George Inn, Bridport Charles and party got lost on way back to Trent, narrowly avoided capture at an inn in Bridport and carried on out of the town.				A small diversion is necessary. The MW avoids the centre of Bridport, to see The George, head for the centre along South Street. No longer an Inn, it operates as a charity shop.
33	Memorial, Lee Lane, Bridport The road where they escape from Bridport.				On the MW
34	King Charles Cottage, The Square, Broadwindsor, on site of George Inn Where Charles spent the night of 23 September before returning to Trent the next day.				On MW. A private house
35	The Chapter House (formerly The King's Arms), St John's Street, Salisbury Wilmot stayed at this Royalist Inn from 24 September, planning the Brighton escape, while Charles was at Trent.				Not on MW, is near Salisbury Cathedral. A working hotel and restaurant.
36	George Inn, Mere Charles paused here on 6 October, en route to Heale House.				On the MW. A working pub, offering accommodation.
37	Heale House Arrived 6 October and stayed until 12 October. Largely rebuilt in the Nineteenth Century				On the MW. The House is private but the gardens are open in the summer.
38	Stonehenge Where Charles visited on 7 October.				Not on MW, but can be walked to via a six mile walk along the Great Stones Way which intercepts the MW. Strangely, the official MW guidebook recommends walking the Great Stones Way in the opposite direction, to Great Sarum, a site unconnected to the escape
39	Old Winchester Hill Here Charles, accompanied by Phelips, rejoined Lord Wilmot who was with Colonel Gunter.				On the MW
40	Broadhalfpenny Down Site of meeting which changed plan for overnight stop to Hambledon. In the Eighteenth Century, it became the site of the leading Cricket Club in the land.				On the MW
41	King's Rest cottage, Hambledon Charles stayed at the home of Colonel Gunter's sister on 13 October at Bury Lodge (now demolished), the site of which is near the Cottage now named King's Rest.				Nearly a mile off the MW. Where the MW emerges in the village, opposite the church, turn left and keep following the main road. Pass Old Forge Tea Room on the right and soon after, the cottage is well hidden on the left, just past a turning to a very minor road.
42	Hinton Daubney House Residence of Lawrence Hyde, here Wilmot and Gunter stayed for several nights ending on the 13 October. Charles was due to stop here on 13 October but changed his mind and stayed in Hambledon.				Very close to the MW, two miles after Hambledon. In private hands, the gates can be seen with a small diversion and the house can be viewed from a distance a little later in the walk.
43	George & Dragon, Houghton Took refreshment here on 14 October.				On the MW, a working pub.
44	Arundel Castle As the party approached Arundel Castle on 14 October they saw the Parliamentarian Governor, Colonel Morley, going out to hunt. In order to avoid him they dismounted and hid until he passed.				On the MW
45	Bramber Bridge Encountered troops near the bridge. To avoid further incident, he diverted over the Downs towards Brighton.				On the MW
46	Travelodge, West Street, on the site of a George Inn Likely site where Charles spent the evening of 14 October and early hours of 15 October, before travelling to Shoreham.				The MW passes the top of this road as it moves through Brighton. An option would be to go down this road and turn right at the end along the sea front to reconnect with the MW.
47	Shoreham harbour Around 4:00am on 15 October, Charles boarded The Surprise at Shoreham, near Brighton. The boat sailed at 7:00am and arrived at Fécamp, France the next day after taking a circuitous route.				The end point of the MW.
48	Old Ship Hotel, Brighton. Bought by the captain of The Surprise with proceeds from helping Charles escape.				On the MW in Brighton. The ideal place to return to after the end of the route to celebrate your achievement!
	Other locations of lesser importance or dubious provenance:
i	Hindlip Lane, North Worcester There is a tradition that Charles hid in this house in Hindlip Lane. This does not fit with any account of the battle, the Royalists would not have paused so close to the battle.
ii	Tudor House Hotel, Tewkesbury This atmospheric hotel displays a notice saying Charles hid on the premises after the battle. It is however, some 20 miles off the known route of Charles' escape so the claim may be dismissed as impossible.
iii	Crabmill Inn, Oldswinford Possible stop by Charles, little evidence to support this
iv	Inn or house at corner of Kinver Road and Stourbridge High Street, Wordsley (demolished) Place when Charles may have stopped briefly for food.
v	The Black and White House Possible incident at the Black and White House en route to Bentley Hall on 9 September.				On the MW
vi	Goodrest Farm, Hunnington Place when Charles may have stopped briefly on 10 September
vii	Howley Grange, Quinton (demolished) Place when Charles may have stopped briefly on 10 September
viii	Royal Content Farm There is a tradition that Charles stayed here on 10 September. There is however no room in the sequence of events for this to be realistic.
ix	Norgrovell Court, Near Alcester There is a tradition that Charles stayed here on 10 September. There is however no room in the sequence of events for this to be realistic.				On the MW
x	Boxwell Court, Near Tresham There is a tradition that the King called here on 11 September.
xi	Crown Inn, Market Square, Cirencester Alternative location for stay of 11 September.				On the MW
xii	The Old Manor House, Baunton, near Cirencester Alternative location for stay of 11 September.
xiii	Manor House, Castle Cary Only outbuildings of the Manor House remain, but it used to stand between the site of the Norman castle and Park Pond. Charles may possibly have stayed here for the night of 16 September.
xiv	Clapton Court, near Crewkerne Charles may have stopped here on 22 September on his way to Charmouth.
xv	Wyld Court, Hawkchurch, Devon Charles may have stopped here on 22 September on his way to Charmouth
xvi	Pilsdon Manor Scene of an abortive search for Charles on 23 September				On the MW
xvii	Zeals House, Lower Zeal, near Mere It has been suggested that Charles stopped here on his way to Heale House on 6 October, although there is no time in the schedule to make that possible.
xviii	Charlton Horethorne Manor Farm There is a tradition that Charles paused here on his way to Hambledon on 13 October.
xix	King Charles Cottage, Racton Home of Colonel Gunter. There is a tradition that Charles called here on 13 October.
xx	George and Falcon, Warnford Wilmot and Gunter may have called here while they waited to meet up with Charles on 14 October.				On the MW
xxi	St Mary's House, Bramber Tradition suggests that the King may have stopped here as he passed through Bramber on 14 October. The grounds incorporate a King's Garden celebrating the escape.				On the MW
xxii	Amberley Castle It is suggested in one source that Charles spent the night of 14 October here. There is however no room in the sequence of events for this to be realistic.
xxiii	Ovingdean Grange, near Brighton According to a Victorian novel, this was a refuge at Brighton on 14 October. There is however no room in the sequence of events for this to be realistic.
xxiv	King Charles Cottage, near Shoreham Local tradition has this as a refuge on 14 October. There is however no room in the sequence of events for this to be realistic.
xxv	The Old George Inn, east side of Middle Street, Brighton (demolished) Possible site of where the King spent the evening of 14 October. No trace of the Inn remains				The MW passes the top of this road as it moves through Brighton.

Even these lists are not all there is. In addition to the above, readers may wish to consider the following quote from HP Kingstons’s book, The Wanderings of King Charles II in Staffordshire and Shropshire after Worcester Fight, September 3rd 1651 (1933):

“There is a tradition at the Talbot Inn, Knightswick, Worcestershire, where Charles is said to have stayed the night and, in the character of a servant, to have blacked a pair of shoes. … this is one of many such traditions which are found in Ipswich, at Ripley in Surrey, in Lancashire and Cheshire, in Devonshire, Hertfordshire, Monmouthshire and Glamorganshire. In fact, places which claim Charles II as a visitor are almost as numerous as the beds in which Queen Elizabeth slept.”

There are at least two explanations. Firstly, there were many disguised Royalists fleeing from Cromwell, in several cases these individuals may have been confused with the King himself. Secondly, when Charles was restored, pensions and rewards were being claimed and this may have resulted in certain speculative claims.