🥾 Walk 263 - Windsor Great Park and Savill Garden

On Sunday 26th February, twenty one walkers (including the two walk leaders) gathered to walk in Windsor Great Park. The weather forecast was for dry and cloudy weather, but as we waited for walkers to get ready we had a touch of rain. Luckily the majority of the walk was dry.

We originally planned to meet at Cranbourne Gate, but on learning that two other walking groups planned to start their walks there we changed the start of our walk to Ranger's Gate. Unfortunately we competed for parking with horse boxes, as well as one of the walking groups who started at Ranger's Gate rather than Cranbourne Gate!!! Eventually we all found parking spots, but we were a little later than planned starting the walk.

Joining us on this walk were three new walkers, as well as a very experienced walker from another group, who also had an excellent knowledge of Windsor Great Park, and he shared some interesting history along the way.

From Ranger's Gate on tarmac paths we headed round the back of the village, past Prince Consort Workshops and the Millstone in Queen Anne's Drive. We then turned up Duke's Lane adjacent to Queen Anne's Walk. At the top were excellent views down to Windsor Castle. The variety, shape and colour of the trees, although bare of leaves, were enjoyable to see.

Leaving the main paths we took a bridal path through the woods on slightly muddy tracks and we emerged at Virginia Water. Then onto good paths to Smith's Lawn, passing Valley Gardens, the Polo Ground and Prince Consort's statue on the way.

On the advice of our expert of Windsor Great Park, we took an alternative path to Savill Garden with the grand view of the Cumberland Obelisk ahead. We reached Savill Garden for an extended lunch-stop, allowing time for refreshment at the café, visit the shop, WC facilities and walk round the gardens, which are free until end of February, with much to see with some striking colours and early spring blooms.

Following our break we walked on to Bishopsgate and the deer park. We then passed the Copper Horse statue which also affords the best views down the Long Walk to the Castle. We took a different path through the village to the Royal Post Office, which unfortunately was closed (we had spent a lengthy time at Savill Garden) before returning back to the car park at Rangers Gate. See our route on Google Maps.

Thank you to Ann and Kathy for leading this walk and to Ann for writing it up.

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