Monarch's Way - the start at Powick

As I have been walking around the local area, I have seen the odd sign for the Monarch's Way. I decided to investigate: found the website, bought the books, and decided to start.

The sign at the start explains that the path follows Charles II's path as he fled the country after the 1651 Battle of Worcester 

But first: how to get there?

Leaving the car at Worcester, we headed for the bus station...

...for a bus to the start at Powick  

First problem - make it more clear to the driver where you want to go!
He dropped us over a mile away, at the far side of Powick... 

...where there are some lovely old buildings, though it's very busy, traffic-wise.  

I was amused to see "Cromwell's" restaurant right near the start. Clearly, not everyone was a royalist!

The walk starts at Powick old bridge

It's an old packhorse bridge, with remains of some kind of mill/factory at the side of it, ... 

... now converted into rather fabulous apartments.

A memorial to the Scots who fought in the Battle of Worcester. (I'm going to learn loads of history walking this!)

This is the sign you see all along the path, making it easy to follow (so far, anyway)

So, losing the Battle, Charles II set off towards Worcester. This is the modern bridge that carries the A449 on its way to Malvern.

Looking back to the start, and the factory chimney

The river was quite low. It was about here that both sides built temporary bridges across the Severn. (It's wider than it looks in this picture)

I don't usually sit down so early into my walking, but it was a lovely day.

The Monarch's Way was created by Trevor Antill, a keen local walker. I'm already finding the links with history quite fascinating. Will I complete all 600+ miles of it? Watch this space 

More tomorrow...

Today's walk: Bus to Powick, return to Worcester along the Monarch's Way. About 5.5 miles  - but less if you get off the bus nearer the start of the Way!