Walking with the Ancestors - Civil War

Civil War Walks

Orleton Park, the conjectured setting for King Charles' declaration, is a 15 minute walk along Haygate Road from the Market Square where the monarch is alleged to have raised his standard on arrival in Wellington. The Cludde family, who resided at Orleton at the time of the Civil War, maintained a discreet neutrality during the campaign as, like many families, they were unwilling to risk their property being seized in the event of the wrong outcome. In the event, the Charlton family's ancient seat of Apley Castle may have been the venue for the proclamation and lies to the north of Wellington, off Whitchurch Drive. The estate, which was sold by descendants of the Charltons during the 1950s, was much larger than today and an idea of its original size can be gained from visiting the former lodge that lies just outside the town centre on the Whitchurch Road roundabout.