Walking through history - Oaken and the Monarch's Way

Here's a short walk on the Monarch's Way a long distance path tracing the route taken by King Charles II after his defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651.

I started in Oaken. This is a typical picture of an English village - post box and phone box, walled garden and village notice board. 

The Monarch's Way follows Oaken Lane

...past this old barn which appears to have been attacked by masonry bees.

It's a lovely old barn though.

Oaken's impressive Manor House

Plenty of wild snowdrops on this walk

The Way (which is well-signed throughout) is just visible here at the field edge.

The next section follows this bridle path.

...past Oaken Lawn Riding School with its gate made from horseshoes.

The remote house nearby is being renovated

Parts of the afternoon were quite sunny.

Past on old tree. (I am looking forward to seeing the Boscobel Oak shortly)

The path crosses the railway line at Husphins Bridge

Quiet now, but it's a main line to Wolverhampton

A little further along, I passed the remains of a moat at Wood Hall farm

The original house has been rebuilt, or at least, greatly altered.

A lovely Monarch's Way Sign

A closeup of the logo - the oak tree, a crown, and a ship to escape to France

I passed Pendrell Hall - the Penderel (earlier spelling) family assisted Charles when he reached this area.

The next section was along a road - the route goes all the way to Boscobel, but it was so very windy that I couldn't hear the oncoming traffic - dangerous as there was no foot path.

So, I turned back early, to Whitehouse Lane, and this unusual church. This made my walk a circular one, not the out and back route that I had planned.

I followed a field path past Pendrell Hall, but it was hidden from view. Ahead, Codsall's church on the skyline

This hill was steeper than it looked. Or I wasn't as fit as I thought

At the top, the modern extension to the churchyard

St Nichols's Church, and some early blossom. Very early, in fact. (This was Feb 1st)

And next to it, behind a wall, the old school building with its bell

Old houses in Codsall

An Edward VII post box

Codsall Station

I followed the Staffordshire Way back to my start - passing more snowdrops on the way

Today's route:  Just over 5 miles. Park in Oaken, and follow the Monarch's Way to Codsall Wood. From there ,I followed a lane and path to Codsall, and then the Staffordshire Way back to the car.
The Monarch's Way is a 615 mile path following the escape of King Charles II. At first, he rode north, stopping at Whiteladies Priory (I'll be walking there very soon) and then on foot to the river Severn near what is now Telford. Finding the river too well-guarded, he then turned back to Boscobel (avoiding the Parliamentarian troops by hiding in an oak tree). From there, he headed south to the coast.
The way was established by visionary local walker, the late Trevor Antill. More details can be found by clicking here
I've walked the route to this point. You can see my earlier walks by clicking the links.
Wombourne to Oaken
Stourton to Bratch2
Stourton to Bratch 1
Hagley to Stourton 2
Hagley to Stourton 1
Chaddesley Corbett
Droitwich to Chaddesley Corbett
Worcester to Droitwich
Worcester
Into Worcester
The start at Powick