There is a vast amount to see and do in Windsor, but for many visitors it is the royal heritage that is the main attraction. A full day in Windsor Great Park, taking in the castle, parkland and gardens, will allow you to soak up the history and atmosphere, while also enjoying priceless artworks and the natural environment. Here is our guide to visiting Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park, packing as much as possible into your visit.
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Windsor Great Park And The Crown Estate
Managed by the Crown Estate, Windsor Great Park occupies a massive area of around 6,400 hectares. It started life 1,000 years ago as a Norman hunting forest and is still managed as one of the working royal estates. As well as the Castle and other royal residences it includes farms, commercial forestry and commercial lettings.
Part of the park is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The estate and its ancient woodland are managed as much for the birds and other wildlife as for the human inhabitants, with a commitment to conservation and sustainability.
But the park is no longer the exclusive domain of kings, and much of it is now accessible to everyone. The public areas of Windsor Great Park include around 16 km of paths as well as lakes, gardens and woodland.
Windsor Castle
At one end of the park, beside the town of Windsor, is the imposing Windsor Castle. Standing watch over the River Thames since the 11th century, this is the world’s oldest and largest inhabited fortress. It is still one of the principal residences of the British royal family.
Although this is a working palace used for state visits and other official functions, visitors can walk around the outside and also visit the State Apartments. Here you will see lavishly furnished rooms and a very impressive art collection (look out for the room which holds original portraits of a succession of English monarchs).
A separate entrance takes you to Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, built in the 1920s by Sir Edwin Lutyens as a way of showcasing work by contemporary artists and craftsmen. A highlight of this room is the collection of miniature books, some containing original stories by authors such as Arthur Conan Doyle.
St George’s Chapel
Within the grounds of Windsor Castle is St George’s Chapel. This is a magnificent 14th century Gothic structure, and the last resting place of several monarchs and their consorts, most recently Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. A visit to the chapel is included in the cost of your castle admission ticket.
Note that St George’s Chapel is not open to visitors on Sundays, but it is possible to attend the services, with exquisite music from the Chapel Choir.
Changing Of The Guard
The majestic spectacle of the Changing of the Guard takes place in the Castle grounds on particular days of the week (currently Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays). The 45 minute ceremony involves a parade of guardsmen accompanied by a military band, leading to the changeover of sentries.
As the Changing of the Guard takes place within the Castle grounds you will need an entrance ticket to see it. Times are shown on the Guard website.
A Walk In The Park
The appropriately named Long Walk is a straight, tree-lined avenue first laid out by King Charles II and extended by King George IV. It stretches for just over 4 km from Windsor Castle to Snow Hill, where an equestrian statue of King George III marks the end of the path. Keep an eye on the grassland to your left: this is the fenced deer park where over 500 red deer roam much as they did in Tudor times.
From here you can follow the extensive network of footpaths into the park’s meadows and woodland.
Colourful Gardens
At the other end of the park are the Savill Garden and the Valley Gardens, both essential destinations for garden-lovers or for anyone who enjoys a walk in beautiful surroundings. The Savill Garden was created by Sir Eric Savill for King George V in 1932, and consists of 35 acres of gardens, woodland and secluded pathways. It has been designed to provide a blaze of colour at any time of year: visiting in May I found a vibrant tapestry of rhododendrons, magnolias and spring flowers.
You will need an entrance ticket for the Savill Garden, but the nearby Valley Gardens are free to walk around. Unlike the rest of the Great Park, where native trees and plants are encouraged, the Valley Gardens have been planted with a variety of international species. The gardens are based around the undulating slopes to the north of Virginia Water, including the dramatic Punch Bowl whose steep sides combine with exotic flora to create a magnificent display.
When you have finished exploring the gardens the Savill Garden Visitor Centre offers a range of plants and gifts to purchase. This is also a place to eat and drink: I had an excellent lunch in the Savill Garden Kitchen.
Virginia Water
Beyond the gardens, at the southern edge of the park, is Virginia Water, a large lake that was created as a royal pleasure ground in the 1750s. It is still a favoured leisure destination, popular with families, walkers and nature lovers. A 7 km trail around the lake takes you past the Cascade (an 18th century waterfall) and the Leptis Magna Ruins (Roman ruins recovered from the city of Leptis Magna in Libya).
How To Visit Windsor Castle And The Great Park
- It is possible to visit the Castle and the park in a single day but it will take a bit of planning. And, unless you want to do a lot of walking (it is approximately 12 km from the Castle to Virginia Water), you will need to take a taxi or hire a car to see everything.
- The Castle and the northern end of the park are a five minute walk from the town of Windsor and the railway station.
- There are pay and display car parks at Savill Garden and Virginia Water. Note that cars are not allowed inside the park, and you will need to drive around the outside.
- There are many places to eat and drink in Windsor Town Centre. You can buy lunch or afternoon tea at the Savill Garden Kitchen, and there is also a café at Virginia Water. Picnics are permitted in most parts of the park.
- You are recommended to buy tickets for the Castle and for the Savill Garden in advance of your visit.
Thanks to Visit Windsor for arranging my trip, and to Windsor Castle, the Crown Estates and the Savill Garden Kitchen for their hospitality.
This article is now featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Windsor.
