You might have already read my review of The Savill Garden and Windsor Castle, which are all set around Windsor Great Park. Did you know that Windsor Great Park is a massive parkland that is free to visit? Most importantly it’s great for the kids and there’s loads to do. This place is so big that we only got to explore a small fraction during our visit. Just walking around the edge of Virginia Lake is 4 1/2 miles. That’s a hell of a lot of lake!
Throughout Windsor Great Park you’ll find a huge range of things to do, different walks and completely different areas. It’s hard to believe that this is all one park really. We just generally meandered around really. There’s a huge network of paths to explore. Within a couple of hours walking we did a playground, two lakeside walks, woodland walks, garden walks, climbed many trees, grabbed an ice cream and visited a totem pole.
It’s worth downloading a copy of the map before you visit.
The Obelisk Pond
The word pond makes me think of the little thing my Dad has in his back garden. Maybe even the water gardens at Cliveden. The Obelisk Pond at Windsor Great Park is massive and has plenty of ducks, geese and tadpoles for the kids to get all excited about. The main picnic area (in this part of the Great Park at least) in at the base of the Obelisk that gives the pond it’s name.
After our picnic we had to play in the small playground area nearby. It’s not particularly special but there’s a funky shipwreck play frame and a little sandpit for younger kids. It’s also surrounded by rhododendrons. At this time of year you might think it’s the beautiful blooms that would interest us. Nope – it’s all about climbing. Just in case you didn’t know these bushes, when they’re a decent size, are amazing for scrambling in, around and under! My kids just love it.
The Totem Pole
We then strolled downhill, past the “pond” and followed the path down towards the Totem Pole. Note that this bit is downhill, that becomes important later when you’re trying to walk tired kids back up the hill! Just past the lake there’s a little woodland area to the left. See if you can spot the fairy doors hidden in the trees.
Here we came off one of the main paths and suddenly we were pretty much alone. We were also right next to one of the biggest rhododendron patches I’ve ever seen. That was the kids gone for a good 20 minutes until I lured them out with the promise of a totem pole (and ice cream!). It was a proper fairy-tale wild wood in there.
When we visited Windsor Great Park they were doing some work on the Totem Pole so you couldn’t get up close to it. It does look very impressive though. It’s over 100ft high and was a present from Canada to the Queen. Pretty big present. It’s a good job she had just the spot to put it in.
Virginia Waters
There are plenty of people who, when visiting Windsor Great Park, only visit Virginia Waters. We weren’t those people (sadly)! In fact, other than a quick peek along the lake whilst getting ice cream we didn’t really explore this bit much. I’ve added it to my must revisit list! As well as the Totem Pole there’s a beautiful cascade and some Roman ruins. Except they’re not actually Roman, they’re a folly. There’s also the five arch bridge which has, shockingly, five arches.
The Valley Gardens
The Valley Gardens are the reason why I’m not sure it’s worth paying to visit The Savill Garden when you’re visiting Windsor Great Park. This is really the garden part of the park. There’s an incredible display of rhododendrons and azaleas, little wondering footpaths and lots of other beautiful flowers. The bottom of the punchbowl is just surrounded by stunning blooms from May to June and is a great spot for a picnic.
If you’re here in early spring make sure you visit daffodil valley! Trust me, it’s called that for a reason! This image from The Windsor Great Park Facebook page is just as the valley is starting to come into bloom. Imagine what it’s like in full bloom!!!
I’m not sure if it’s technically “within” the Valley Gardens but there’s lots of brilliant climbing trees at the top of the valley. If you’re a regular follower of the blog you’ll know my kids love climbing trees so we spent a long time up here. Generally it’s just a really pleasant place for a walk with the kids. Actually, it’s a really nice place to walk full stop.
The Long Walk
This is probably the most recognisable park of Windsor Great Park because it’s the bit that the Daily Mail are always photographing to show how busy or hot it has been! At one end of the Long Walk is Windsor Castle itself. At the other end (which, by the way is over 2.5 miles away!) is the massive Copper Horse. Which isn’t made of copper btw. This is a lovely, relatively gentle, walk with some good places to stop for a picnic.
You’ll also find the Deer Park (which still has deer in it), the Review Ground and Queen Anne’s Ride. Having looked at various other reviews these areas all look like really good family walks.
Our Windsor Great Park review
Windsor Great Park really is too big to explore in a day. I think it’s actually too big to explore over several days! You could quite easily stay in Windsor for a week and spend most of it in and around the park. We really enjoyed the time that we spent here. I think the north part of Windsor Great Park in autumn will be spectacular and I’ll go back and update this review.
Technically this review should be within the “free things to do” category but the parking really is quite expensive and I think the majority of people will drive to get here so I’ve included it in the “just pay for parking” section.
Admission cost
Free.
Parking / How to get there
Parking – There are 7 car parks! That just shows you how flipping big this place is. The most you’ll pay is £12 for over 3 hours. I’ll never complain about the cost of parking at Wendover Woods again!
Address – Take your pick!
The Savill Garden (Sat Nav code: TW20 OUJ)
Virginia Water (Sat Nav code: GU25 4QF)
Virginia Water South (Sat Nav code: SL5 7SB. Height restriction: 8 feet)
Ranger’s Gate (On the A332, Sat Nav code: SL4 2LD)
Cranbourne Gate (On the A332, Sat Nav code: SL4 2BY)
Toilets
There are toilets dotted around the park
Food
You’ll find so many places to have a picnic. There’s also various cafes and kiosks around the park. Oh, and an ice cream van.
What else is there to do nearby?
Loads! I’ve already mentioned that Windsor Castle and The Savill Garden are all part of the estate. There’s also Langley Park Country Park and Black Park Country Park nearby as well! Coral Reef Waterworld is only 15 minutes drive away, as are the Look Out Discovery Centre and Swinley Forest.
Legoland Windsor is just around the corner. Picniq offer some great deals on tickets for here, and other family days out. You can get more details here (affiliate link)
Hi, I’m Vicky. My husband and I live in Aylesbury with our three children; a 14 year old son, an 12 year old son and a 6 year old daughter. I (mostly) love spending time together as a family. We visit all kinds of places and we’re quite happy to drive a fair distance for a decent day out. A few years ago I decided to set up Free Time with the Kids as a way to share our experiences of these family days out.
You’ll find the essential information you need to know before your visit that can be surprisingly hard to find out. Where do I park? How much will it cost me to get in? Are there any discounts available? Are there loos? Can I take a picnic or get food? My aim is to be your go-to guide for all your free and cheap family days out across Bucks, Beds, Oxon, Herts & slightly beyond. I really hope you find the reviews helpful. If there’s anywhere that you’d recommend please get in touch contact@freetimewiththekids.com or get in touch via Facebook
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