In 1651, following the execution of his father, King Charles 1, a young Charles Stuart took on Cromwell’s army at the Battle of Worcester … and was defeated.
His subsequent flight to safety and the story of him hiding in an oak tree to escape the pursuing Roundheads has become an enchanting part of English history. What few people realise is that the route he took from Worcester to exile in France is now a long distance walking trail called the Monarch’s Way.
Charles’ eventual return to London and his coronation at Westminster Abbey in 1660 marked the restoration of the monarchy in England. In celebration, the King’s birthday on 29th May was declared a national holiday and it became a tradition for schoolchildren to bring an oak apple to school that day – remembering the part an oak tree played in his safe deliverance a few years earlier.
Those who forgot to bring an oak apple to school gave rise to the alternative name for 29th May as ‘Pinch Bum Day’ !
On this the 350th anniversary of the restoration of the monarchy we will celebrate ‘Oak Apple Day’ by walking a delightful section of the Monarchs Way through Hampshire in southeast England.
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Our walk along the Monarch’s Way will take place over two days – both of about 10 miles each. To facilitate this linear walk coach transport will be provided from either Chichester or Arundel in West Sussex.
On Saturday 29th May (Oak Apple Day) we’ll walk from Owslebury to Warnford, finishing at the George & Falcon Inn, and on Sunday 30th continue on to Hambledon – better known as the ‘Cradle of English Cricket’ – where there will be afternoon tea at the delightful Bat & Ball Inn.
The cost is £59.50 per person to include coach transport each day, post-walk drinks at Warnford and afternoon tea at Hambledon.
Pre-booking is essential and places are limited by coach size.
