| The Monarch's Way |
- The Monarch's way is Britain's second longest signed walking trail. A total
of 610 miles (982 km), this historic route uses footpaths and bridleways to follow Charles II's escape route after his defeat
at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. For six exciting weeks, and hotly persued by the Parliamentary forces under Oliver Cromwell,
the king travelled first north, then south, through the Cotswolds and the Mendips to the South Coast, and finally along the
South Downs to Shoreham Harbour where he made the escape to France. Following the death of Oliver Cromwell, Charles was eventually
restored to the throne.
|
| Start
/ Finish |
- The Midlands,
Worcester (Grid reference SO851543) / The South Coast, Shoreham Harbour (Grid reference TQ238046). The walk enters West Sussex
near to Rowlands Castle.
|
| For
use by |
- The whole route
is designed for walkers and uses footpaths and bridleways.
|
| Nearest Towns |
- There are many interesting towns and historic villages along the route. Of particular interest in West Sussex
are Arundel, Steyning, Bramber, West Dean, Houghton, Findon and Shoreham.
|
| Terrain |
- There are some moderately steep slopes. The path runs mostly on country paths and may be muddy
in places.
|
| Average time
to complete |
- The route is
described in three separate guide books. The guides break the journey into one day sections which could be walked over a period
of time. Completion certificates are available to those who can show evidence of completing the walk. For more information
email: monsway@blueyonder.co.uk
|
| Highlights |
- The route closely follows the route taken by Charles II and enables walkers to visit many sites
of historic interest and see where the loyal supporters of Charles II gave him shelter, in places both great and humble, on
his escape (many in West Sussex still exist today). The route passes through some of the finest scenery in Southern England.
- For
details of places to visit, go to visit sussex
|
| Transport |
West Sussex is well served by public transport. |
| Maps |
- OS maps (for the West Sussex section of the Monarch's Way):
- OS 1:25,000
Explorer series 120, 121, 122
- OS 1:50,000 Landranger series 197, 198
- and don't forget to visit
the iMap.
|
| More
information |
- Books:
Available from booksellers some tourist offices or direct from the publishers Meridian Books, Sales office, 8 Hartside
Close, Lutley, Halesowen, West Midlands, B63 1HP. www.bestwalks.com/meridianbooks.htm
- Book
1: The Midlands: Worcester to Stratford upon Avon (via Boscobel) 175 miles (282 km). (second edition) ISBN 1-869922-52-2
- Book
2: The Cotswolds, The Mendips and the Sea: Stratford upon Avon to Charmouth 210 miles (338km). ISBN 1-869922-28-X
- Book
3: The South Coast, The Downs... And Escape: Charmouth to Shoreham. 225 miles (362 km). ISBN 1-869922-29-8
- Leaflets:
(Available at a charge from The Monarch's Way Association, 15 Alison Road, Halesowen, B62 0AT)
- Accommodation Guide.
This is in three parts to coincide with each of the three books on the Monarch's Way.
- Website:
|
| Other useful information |
- The route connects with others in West Sussex. The Downs Link, The South Downs
Way, The Sussex Border Path and The West Sussex Literary Trail.
- The Way was devised by Trevor Antill in 1994. There
are plans to extend it into France to complete the entire route of Charles' journey.
- The Monarch's Way logo which
appears on the waymarker signs represents the Royal Oak Tree at Boscobel (in which the King famously hid), the Prince of Wales
Crown and the ship 'The Surprise' on which Charles escaped to France.
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01243 777100
