With the current King Charles currently in the news, I thought it would be worth visiting a place made famous by another King with the same name. Boscobel house on the Shropshire / Staffordshire border is a grand old house with attached farm. The main building dating back to 1632.
Like many other places, it would be great to visit simply to walk round such an outstanding example of architecture from the period. However, Boscobel house has a more important story to tell. During the English Civil War (1642 - 1651) things had turned badly for the Royalists. With King Charles I being beheaded 2 years earlier. His son attempted to keep up the fight but after a loss at the battle of Worcester he was forced to flee for his life.
With a number of loyal companions he fled first north and then eventually south to escape to France. One of the most famous stories of this flight happened at Boscobel house. While being sheltered by the Pendrell brothers the house and woodland was searched by Parlimentary soldiers. This led to the King famously spending a night hiding in an Oak tree. This is the reason for so many pubs called "The Royal Oak." A descendent of the tree still grows on site.
Aside from the facinating history, Boscobel house boasts a good farmyard, lots of history of life at the time and some good gardens to walk round. In my follow up video you can also visit the Royal Oak descendent and the nearby ruins of White Ladies Priory.
Today the site is managed by English Heritage. There is a charge to get in although it is free for English Heritage members. There is a shop, tea room and toilets on site. A lot of the site is wheelchair accessable, although there may be trouble visiting the higher levels of the house. The Royal oak descendent is also across a field with no paved path.
Here is a link to the English Heritage site for Boscobel house, inlcuding directions: www.english-heritage.org.uk/v...
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