Windsor Great Park is a royal park located near Windsor in the Southeast of England. The park has a long-standing history dating back to pre-Saxon times. In the past, Windsor Great Park belonged to the hunting grounds of Windsor castle but its 5,000 acres have now been largely opened up to the public.
And visitors have a lot to explore: the park features a vast lake, polo grounds, a deer park, woodland areas, and flower gardens. Additionally, the neatly kept lawns invite visitors to a picnic, or simply to lie down and enjoy the sunshine. Amenities of the park include a restaurant, a cafe and several outside seating areas.
Virginia Water Lake
Located on the southern edge of Windsor Great Park, was established in 1746 by William, Duke of Cumberland, and reconstructed in 1780 after flooding. Visitors can admire an artificial waterfall, ancient Roman ruins near the water, or embark on a 7.2 km walk around the lake.
Punch Bowl
The Punch Bowl, currently closed for maintenance, belongs to the most beautiful landscapes in the country. It was started in 1948 and finished in 1951, planted with Kurume azaleas from John Barr Sevenson’s collection at Tower Court. In 2017, a large resculpting project was started to enhance the Punch Bowl which is still ongoing.
Savill Garden
Savill Garden was built in 1930 and features 35 acres of beautifully designed gardens, as well as a restaurant and a gift shop. During the year, Savill Garden offers several activities, such as an Easter egg hunt, for the whole family. Note that entrance to the gardens costs £7-£12 for adults and £2.50-£6 for children.
The Deer Park
Located towards the north of Windsor Great Park, the Deer Park is home to about 500 deers as well as the statue of King George III (the iconic Copper Horse), and the Long Walk. The Long Walk offers beautiful views over Windsor and reaches up to Windsor Castle. Away from the main roads, visitors can find several ancient oaks, some of which are estimated to be up to 1,500 years old.
The polo fields
The polo fields are home to the world’s most famous polo club, the Guards Polo Club. Hosting some of the most prestigious polo tournaments, visitors can watch events for free from outside the enclosure or buy a ticket from the Guards Polo Club. Off-season, the polo fields are a great spot to observe red kites.
How to find Windsor Great Park
Windsor Great Park can best be reached by car with several car parks dotted around the park. The postcode for the main car park is GU25 4QF and parking cost ranges between £2.50-£10 (or park in one of the side roads for free).
Should you prefer to travel by public transport, you can take the White Bus from Windsor high street or Ascot train station.
Where to stay
If you are travelling from further afield, you may want to spend a night or two near Windsor Great Park. There are several hotels in Windsor that also offer the chance to visit the historic Windsor town and, of course, Windsor Castle.
Guest Post
Thank you to Jennifer at Monethalia.com for submitting this guest post. You can also find her on Facebook and Pinterest.
No Comments