Walking The Monarch's Way Part 1: Powick Bridge to Worcester
Worcester Bridge
Start & Finish: Worcester Bridge, New Road, Worcester, WR2 4RL
Distance: 7.4 km (4.6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 32m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 46
Pubs / Cafes on route: Some shops on the A449 but better to eat in Worcester City Centre at start and end
Map: Worcester & Droitwich Spa Map | Severn Way | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 204
Links: Monarch’s Way (Wikipedia / LDWA), Worcester, Powick, Battle of Worcester, River Severn
The Monarch's Way is a 625-mile long-distance path that approximates the escape route taken by King Charles II in 1651 after being defeated in the Battle of Worcester. I had followed and crossed sections of it on several other trips but, due to it’s length, never had it on my list to complete. It’s still not on my list, but as I was staying overnight in Worcester I decided to do an early morning run/walk on the first section.
This circular route starts and ends at Worcester Bridge and takes in (almost) the first 5km of the Monarch’s Way. From the Bridge follow the A44, then the A449 in a south-westerly direction for 2.5 km until you reach Old Road. Follow Old Road to Powick Bridge. Here you’ll find the engraved stone that marks the start of the Monarch’s Way. A information board at the start commemorates the thousands of Scots who lost their lives at the Battle of Worcester. Powick Bridge saw both the first and last battles of the English Civil War.
From the start of the trail on Old Road, take a left to follow a footpath through the end of a field on the northern bank to the River Teme. After 1.8km of the trail you’ll reach a City of Worcester Boundary stone near the confluence of the River Teme and River Severn. Turn north, still following the path to follow the Severn all the way back to Worcester Bridge. The first half of this River Severn section continues on rough ground on the edge of the field. After Diglis Bridge the path becomes paved and crosses through Worcester Riverside Park.
