Sunningdale to Windsor walk

Music:

T. Rex - Chateau In Virginia Waters

Eva Cassidy - Autumn Leaves

Virginia Water, Windsor Great Park, the Long Walk, and Windsor Castle

Distance: 17.08 km (10.9 miles)

Grading: Easy

Rating: 2 out of 10

Ascents: 189 m

hiking time: About 5.5 to 6.5 hours of actual hiking

This walk explores the Lake of Virginia Water Park, the Cascades, Valley Gardens (which overlooks it), Windsor Great Park (a forest and deer park), and the Long Walk to Windsor Castle.

Towards the north of the park, on a rise, is the copper horse statue. From there, the 4km Long Walk, an iconic tree lined path, slopes downhill to Windsor Castle, besides the Thames.

Virginia Water Lake was originally little more than a stream. During World War II, the lake was drained, as its obvious shape provided enemy guidance at night to Windsor and other important military targets in the area. It has been used by the crews for the Harry Potter films for lakeside scenes.

The Cascade, or Waterfall, is also notable. It was constructed from stones brought from Bagshot Heath. They are rumoured to be the remains from a Saxon settlement. From the Cascade a stream runs through a glen and ultimately enters the Thames at Chertsey. By the side of the Cascade, immense stones are arranged to form a cavern known as 'The Robber's Cave'.

swcwalks book1 walk18

#DayHikeSaturday #HikinginLondon #VirginiaWater

© Club Hiking in London. Ltd (CASC) in collaboration with Saturday Walkers Club.

Sunningdale to Windsor walk

Virginia Water, Windsor Great Park, the Long Walk, and Windsor Castle

Distance: 17.08 km (10.9 miles)

Grading: Easy

Rating: 2 out of 10

Ascent: 189 m

Hiking time: About 5.5 to 6.5 hours of actual hiking

This walk explores the Lake of Virginia Water Park, the Cascades, Valley Gardens (which overlooks it), Windsor Great Park (a forest and deer park), and the Long Walk to Windsor Castle.

Towards the north of the park, on a rise, is the copper horse statue. From there, the 4 km Long Walk, an iconic tree lined path, slopes downhill to Windsor Castle, besides the Thames.

Virginia Water Lake was originally little more than a stream. During World War II, the lake was drained, as its obvious shape provided enemy guidance at night to Windsor and other important military targets in the area. It has been used by the crews for the Harry Potter films for lakeside scenes.

The Cascade, or Waterfall, is also notable. It was constructed from stones brought from Bagshot Heath. They are rumoured to be the remains from a Saxon settlement. From the cascade, a stream runs through a glen and ultimately enters the Thames at Chertsey. By the side of the Cascade, immense stones are arranged to form a cavern known as 'The Robber's Cave'.

© Club Hiking in London. Ltd (CASC) in collaboration with Saturday Walkers Club.

swcwalks book1 walk18

#HikingiLondon #Windsor #DayHikeSaturday

Making use of the new East London Line extension to Clapham, today's walk is around 10 miles from Surrey into Berkshire.

Setting out in glorious sunshine, the walker soon leaves the station behind to enter Coworth Park, passing the famous polo fields. Then, it's into Windsor Great Park, via Virginia Water lakes and Valley Gardens. Lunch is had at the Obelisk Pond, though there is a cafe at Savill Gardens nearby.

Thereafter, it's up Rhododendron Ride to Cow Pond, and on to the Royal Lodge. Then, passing through gates into the Deer Park, there's a choice of paths for some fine views from the Copper Horse statue, though jet noise is now omni-present!

Following The Long Walk, now part of the Three Castles' Path, the walker reaches the gates of Windsor Castle in a downpour; rain hampers filming hereafter.

A pleasant enough walk, though a bit suburban and busy for this particular walker's tastes; it is a 'park walk', and that's exactly what you get.