In order to map my route, I used a copy of the Ordnance Survey map, produced for the 200th anniversary in 2005. This shows the route the post chaise would have taken, though not the location of the plaques.

I did a lot of googling, a lot of hunting online and found information for around half of them.

When I got to some of the stops on my ride, the plaques in some cases had either been moved or weren’t at the location at all, and so to make it easier for everyone who wants to follow the route, I thought I’d create a simple post listing all locations.

The Trafalgar Way is the route that was used to carry the dispatches with news of victory at the Battle of Trafalgar from Pendennis Point, Falmouth to the Admiralty in London.Lieutenant Lapenotière of HMS Pickle reached Falmouth on November the 4th. He rode the 271 miles “express in a post chaise and four” taking 37 hours and costing £46. He changed horses 21 times along the way and his account of expenses (saved in the Admiralty records) shows where he changed horse and how much it cost at each stop. The route he took was the main Falmouth to London coach road and so each segment was between 10 and 15 miles.

In 2005, this journey was commemorated and plaques were posted along the route at key locations, giving details of the journey and of people in the area who fought with Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar. 

1. Pendennis Point, Falmouth –  There is no plaque here.
2. Falmouth –  Front of the town council offices – Just off Webber Street.
3. Penryn – Town Hall – Higher Market Street
4. Perranarworthal – New plaque added Nov 2018
5. Truro – Wall of Lewis Haughton Wills Estate Agents – Lemon Street, Lemon Quay.
6. Fraddon – Blue Anchor Inn – Chapel Road.
7. Bodmin – Shire Hall Railings – Mt Folly.
8. Launceston – White Hart Hotel – Broad Street.
9. Lifton – Arundell Arms – Fore Street.
10. Bridestowe – On the green opposite the White Hart Inn – Fore Street.
11. Okehampton – Front door of The White Hart (Wetherspoons) – Fore Street
12. Sticklepath – Outbuilding (spotted by England Expects signals flags) The Devonshire Inn – B3260.
13. Crockernwell – Bus Shelter – Opposite old Court House.
14. Tedburn St Mary – Next to Bench & Garden – Just past The King’s Arms Pub – Huishlane End.
15. Nadderwater – Wall opposite The Royal Oak Pub – Nadder Bottom.
16. Exeter – Flowerbed outside the Civic Centre – Paris Street.
17. Clyst Honiton – Bus Shelter – Between Ship Lane and St Michael’s Hill.
18. Honiton – The wall of Costa Coffee, next to the Church – High St.
19. Wilmington – The White Hart Inn pub garden – Trafalgar Way.
20. Kilmington – The Wall of the Village Hall
21. Axminster – On the wall of Trinity House – Opposite Martin’s – West Street.
22. Bridport – The Bull Hotel – East Street.
23. Dorchester – Next to The Body Shop – Antelope Walk.
24. Blandford Forum – Archway – The Greyhound Inn – Market Place.
25. Woodyates – Bus Stop – On main road A354.
26. Salisbury – The Guildhall entrance – Fish Row.
27. Andover –  The Guildhall – High Street.
28. Overton – Village Library – High Street.
29. Basingstoke – Inside the Willis Museum
30. Hartford Bridge – Doorway of The White Lion Antiques – A30 (bottom of Star Hill)
31. Camberley – The wall of American Golf
32. Bagshot – Jubille Lamp in The Square – Opposite Spokes bike shop on B3029.
33. Egham – Front of Loch Fyne restaurant – High Street.
34. Staines – Town Hall – Clarence Street.
35. Brentford & Chiswick – Garden of The Express Tavern – Kew Bridge Road.
36. Hammersmith – The Salutation Inn (inside) –  King Street.
37. Kensington – Holland Park Entrance Railings – Kensington High Street.
38. Trafalgar Square – Canada House railings – Corner of Trafalgar Square & Cockspur Street.
39. The Admiralty – Alcove wall – Between Horseguards and Trafalgar Square – Opposite 55 Whitehall.

If you know of the location of the plaque in Basingstoke (I cycled up and down for 20 minutes to no avail) then please let me know!Equally, if you want to find out more about The Trafalgar Way then click here!