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Monarch's Way

Monarch's Way

Old Powick Bridge, Worcester to Shoreham
984km/615 miles
Signed

Britain's second-longest signed walking trail, a lengthy, meandering route following the flight of Charles II after his defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651, and including many sites of historic interest. From Worcester it first turns north to Boscobel, south via Stratford upon Avon, the Cotswolds, Bristol and the Mendips to Charmouth, then east along the South Downs to Shoreham where Charles finally escaped to France. For updates on any planned diversions to the path, check the Monarch's Way Association website below.

The Way was devised by Trevor Antill who first published a guide in 1994, and since then signing has been coordinated by a team of volunteers. There are plans to extend it into France to cover the rest of the Charles' journey.

The Stratford Greenway is an 8km/5-mile multi-user path following the former Honeybourne railway line from Stratford-upon-Avon (starting 1.5km/1 mile outside the town centre, with easy walking access) to Long Marston. The Monarch's Way joins it where it crosses the river Avon south of Stratford and then follows it for almost the entire remaining length. Further information from Warwickshire council.

disability logoThe Stratford Greenway is wheelchair accessible, with access by Radar key. More information from Warwickshire council.

Public Transport

Stations at Worcester, Droitwich Spa, Hagley, Stourbridge, Codsall, Norton Bridge, Bromsgrove, Stratford upon Avon, Moreton-in-Marsh, Keynsham, Castle Cary, Crewkerne, Twyford, Rowlands Castle, Arundel, Brighton, Shoreham-by-Sea. Buses at many other points. There are several buses daily on Mon-Sat from Long Marston back to Stratford for walkers on the Stratford Greenway. Useful information about public transport in the Cotswolds is on the Cotswold Way and Macmillan Way pages.

For enquiry lines, see Public Transport for Walkers.

Publications

  • The Monarch's Way Book 1 - The Midlands 2nd edtion by Trevor Antill, ISBN 1 869922 52 2. Meridian £6.95 + p&p. Order here!
    Worcester to Stratford upon Avon via Boscobel, with route description, practical details and sketch maps.
  • The Monarch's Way Book 2 - The Cotswolds, the Mendips and the Sea by Trevor Antill, ISBN 1 869922 28 X. Meridian £6.95 + p&p. Order here!
    Stratford upon Avon to Charmouth, with route description, practical details and sketch maps.
  • The Monarch's Way Book 3 - The South Coast, the Downs and Escape by Trevor Antill, ISBN 1 869922 29 8. Meridian £6.95 + p&p. Order here!
    Charmouth to Shoreham, with route description, practical details and sketch maps.
    All available from bookshops, or direct from Meridian Books + £1 p&p per book or £2.50 p&p for all three.
  • The Stratford Greenway, free map leaflet from Warwickshire council or downloadable from their website. Includes connecting paths with the nearby river Avon.

Contacts

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Maps

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