The first stage takes you from Stratford-upon-Avon, a place with links to playwright William Shakespeare (1564-1616), to the Cotswold town of Chipping Campden.



Before leaving Stratford it is worth taking some time to explore the sights such as Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare is buried, and the

Sublime Cotswold countryside, historic settlements, and wonderful views combine on this stunning stage.



With 1,300 feet (396 m) of ascent and 13.8 miles (22.2 km) of distance to contend with, this is a fairly challenging hike.



The toughest climb of the day comes after Blockley and takes you to Batsford

This hike takes you from the medieval town of Stow-on-the-Wold into a landscape that has been farmed continuously for more than 6,000 years.



At 11.7 miles (18.8 km) long and with 650 feet (198 m) of climbing, this is a leisurely hike through gentle countryside.



When you reach Bourton-on-the-Water — a good

You step back in time on this stage, visiting a 2nd-century villa and finishing in Roman Britain’s second largest town, Cirencester.



With 15.6 miles (25.1 km) of distance and 750 feet (229 m) of climbing, this is a challenging hike that rewards richly.



Before you leave Northleach it is worth visiting the

This stage explores one of the largest Roman amphitheatres in Britain and takes you to the source of England’s most important river, the Thames.



With level walking for the most part, this is a leisurely 14.9 mile (23.9 km) hike which hopefully enables you to save energy for stage 6, one of the toughest

This hike might be one of the most challenging in this Collection, but the rewards come thick and fast.



With 17.2 miles (27.7 km) of distance and 1,125 feet (343 m) of climbing, this is a challenging hike. (For a suggestion on how to split the stage, see below).



The upshot of this tough route is plenty

You step from Gloucestershire into Somerset on this stage, which explores a landscape filled with wildlife and history.



At 16.2 miles (26.1 km) this is another long stage. However, with 650 feet (183 m) of ascent and 900 feet (274 m) of descent, the distance may seem easier than expected.



After passing

The Monarch's Way diverts from the route taken by Charles II during his escape from Cromwell’s army to explore the vibrant city of Bristol.



At 11.6 miles (18.7 km) long and with only a few hills to contend with, this hike is leisurely. However, the urban walking around Bristol might be hard on your feet

From Bristol’s most iconic landmark to the pretty patchwork of North Somerset, this stunning stage affords a fine introduction to cider country.



Whilst the distance is a manageable 11.1 miles (17.9 km), the amount of climbing increases considerably on this hike in comparison to previous stages.



You leave

This stage takes you through the heart of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and visits caves that have been used by humans for 45,000 years.



At 15.1 miles (24.3 km) long and with a few more sharp climbs than on recent stages, this hike should be a good challenge.



The first half of this

The small yet stunning cathedral city of Wells is the star attraction on this stage.



With 16.8 miles (27 km) of distance and 1,250 feet (381 m) of climbing, this is a challenging hike. (For a suggestion on how to split the stage, see below).



After rising in woodlands above Split Rock Quarry, the trail

Historic buildings, gentle countryside, and panoramic views combine on this stage, which takes you from Somerset into Dorset.



At 15.3 miles (24.6 km) long and with 1,125 feet (342.9 m) of climbing, this is a fairly challenging route. However, the views are ample reward.



The hike begins as a leisurely saunter

After some challenging recent stages, this hike should be a welcome rest. Make sure you save energy for stage 14, though.



This route traces a 11.5 mile (18.5 km) semi-circle around Yeovil, following Charles II as he took refuge at Trent Manor to escape Oliver Cromwell’s army. With minimal ascent and descent

The penultimate stage is the toughest in this Collection but rewards richly with breathtaking views over the rolling countryside.



With 17.1 miles (27.5 km) of distance and 1,250 feet (381 m) of climbing, this is a very challenging hike. (See below for a suggestion on how to split the stage).



From Montacute

The final stage takes you to a stunning stretch of coastline that is hailed as one of the best places in the UK to hunt for fossils.



When Charles II made it to Charmouth he had hoped to escape to France by boat. But when Charles’ captain was locked at home by his wife, who feared for the seaman’s safety