Saltburn on Sea in stormy weather

Over half term we went to Saltburn on Sea, on the North Yorks coast.

There's a fabulous pier

There was an icy wind..

...and the sea was pretty rough

This was the only bit of blue sky

It's a good spot for fishing

Behind the fair is a funicular railway taking people up and down the cliff

I can't resist these!

We started a walk along part of the Cleveland Way...

....past lots of fishing boats.

Hunt Cliff up ahead

The Ship Inn and old fishermen's cottages

This building is called The Mortuary

Looking back towards Saltburn

More bad weather approaching

We carried on to Hunt Cliff

Shortly after this picture, the weather closed in - strong winds, ice, and sleet.  We had to beat a hasty retreat, cutting our planned walk by more than half.

However, we really liked the area, and will be back some day. This is a (somewhat blurred) picture of the Yorkshire tapas I had the previous night at the Spa Hotel. Fish and chips, Scotch egg, toad in the hole, Yorkshire chorizo(!).

Today's walk: a planned 6 mile walk on the Cleveland way turned into a 3 mile out and back walk! Would be fantastic in better weather. Highly recommended, (I would think!)

A Shrewsbury stroll by the Severn

Not all walking has to be in the countryside: most towns have good routes too. This out and back walk along the River Severn in Shrewsbury is lovely and full of interest.
 Starting at the Frankwell Quay car park, SY3 8HQ...

...you pass the Theatre Severn: these are the flood defences in front (the river does flood regularly)

Cross over the Welsh Bridge

..and just keep walking.

Never sure why there is a statue of Hercules here: he's hardly a local celebrity!

Looking over towards St Chad's Church, where Charles Darwin was baptised, and also the (modern) Market Hall tower.

Shrewsbury School on the hill, and its impressive rowing facilities in front.

Further on, a beautiful conversion of old industrial buildings

The English Bridge

New housing on the site of Gay Meadow, the old Shrewsbury Town Football Ground - 

The railway bridge

The weir

There is a "ladder" at the side, for salmon to negotiate their way back upstream to spawn. Too much water to see it clearly today

The waves look pretty fearsome. This was the end of our walk. It's just over two miles, so if you walk back to the start, it's about 4.25 of easy walking. 
The river does a big loop, so the weir is actually not far from your starting place if you want a quick finish, or you can wander back through the town. It's much hillier, but there are lots of shops, cafes, and of course, fine buildings though. Just don't fall in the weir!

In the footsteps of the escaping King.

I'm following the Monarch's Way* in the footsteps of King Charles II as he fled after defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651.

This walk starts at Boscobel. Coming from Worcester, Charles at first carried on past here, returning a few days later. (Boscobel is open at weekends during the winter)

Outside Boscobel, where I left my car, there's a new bench...

...dedicated to Trevor Antill, who founded the Monarch's Way path.

I followed the sign to White Ladies Priory.

It's about a mile down this road. Great views over to the Clee Hills in the distance 

The Way turns off the road

...to White Ladies Priory.

Here, King Charles met members of the local Penderel family, who helped him change into peasant clothes and he hid all day in Spring Coppice nearby. (In the rain, apparently)

The King decided to make for the River Severn on foot, with Richard Penderel as his guide, with the idea of meeting up later with the rest of his party. 

Here, the walk follows local by-lanes, and old green roads, and is likely to be the King's exact route. 

On the map, this is the site of Hubbal Grange, Richard Penderel's house. He and the king ate a meal there before continuing. I couldn't find any trace of the house, but I will go back and take a better look soon.

Display of agricultural machinery outside a house on the way.

The way continues through fields of horses.

 The Bell Inn on the A41 - where the path crosses.

Next to the Bell Inn is this: was it originally a house?

Rock Cottage at Tong Forge. It's on a really steep drop.

Monarch's Way signs, making the route easy to follow.

More green lanes

Lovely cottage in the trees

Over the railway at the interestingly named Bonemill Bridge

It's fairly unusual to pass an Indian restaurant on a long distance path, but this looked quite inviting. (It was shut though)

Lovely open views

Agricultural students doing field work

Riders enjoying the sunshine

The distant hill looked like it might be a hill fort, but I couldn't find out any details.

Passing Evelith Mill. Here Richard and the King closed a gate, which disturbed the miller, who gave chase. 

He gave up - perhaps he had a wheezy chest after working in the mill's dusty atmosphere?

 Horned sheep in the fields just past Evelith

A tree with a story - a luxury apartment for an owl, and what looks like a white spot on the picture is actually a Monarch's Way waymark sticker

End of the journey, into Kemberton

The gates to the church

And an interesting artwork, all done by local people, to commemorate the Millenium - and to round off this walk.

And that was the end of a ten mile walk full of history and interest.

Today's walk: 10 miles, following the Monarch's Way from Boscobel to Kemberton, Shropshire. We walked with a car at each end, as there was no bus. It's very easy to follow - well-signed throughout - and was fairly flat. Possibly one of the easiest 10 mile walks ever. Highly recommended. Good views, and lots of historical interest.

* The Monarch's Way was created by Trevor Antill, and follows the route of King Charles following his defeat at the Battle of Worcester. It is 615 miles long, from Worcester, up to Telford, and back south via Stratford, over to near Bristol, then the south coast, from Charmouth in Dorset, to the departure point from Shoreham in Sussex. You can find details of the walk, guidlebooks, and much more, by clicking here.