After being defeated at Worcester by Cromwell’s army Charles II goes on the run, firstly northwards to Shropshire where he hides up an oak tree.

He then decides to flee to France. His route takes him to Wootton Wawen and later to Chipping Campden. At some point he crossed the river Avon. This may well have been at Alveston since the bridge at Stratford was down. It is said that Mill Lane was for many years known as “The King’s Highway” for this reason.