Windsor's Copper Horse and the Virgin Queen's Lake

This is a circular walk packed with variety, interest, and stunning scenery in Virginia Water and Windsor Great Park - less than one hour by train from central London. It includes the option of visiting the beautiful Savill Garden which has been described as one of Britain's greatest ornamental gardens. 

Virginia Water lies on the southern edge of Windsor Great Park. It is a magnificent man-made lake created in the 18th Century, and thought to be named after Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen. The lake has been used for lakeside scenes for the Harry Potter films, and is a popular tourist destination attracting visitors from all over the world.  

At Virginia Water we shall visit the Cascade which is a 30ft (9.1m) high waterfall constructed in 1789, and see the Leptis Magna Ruins which were created in 1826 and built from columns, pedestals and slabs recovered from the ancient city of Leptis Magna, in present-day Libya. The stones were gifted to the Prince Regent (later George IV) in 1816, and spent some time in the British Museum. We shall also pass by the Totem Pole which was installed in 1958 and was a gift to Queen Elizabeth II from the people of Canada. It is 100 ft (30.5m) tall and is an example of a ‘memorial pole’ as it commemorates the centenary of British Columbia.  

Windsor Great Park is a vast area of parkland and forest covering 4,800 acres. It was originally popular with Saxon kings as a hunting forest. We shall see the Long Walk which is one of the highlights of the park and is a broad tree-lined avenue that follows a straight path from Windsor Castle to the statue of the Copper Horse on Snow Hill. In 2022, the Long Walk was seen by millions worldwide as it was the final stretch of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral procession on her journey to her final resting place at Windsor Castle. It is here that you will be able to see the famous Red Deer – over 500 of them roam freely. Our walk also passes Jubilee Statue which was commissioned by the Crown Estate for the Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II.

Savill Garden is a hidden gem in the heart of Windsor Great Park and includes woodland, ornamental areas, and a pond. It is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit at all times of the year. We shall have an extended lunch at Savill Garden’s visitor centre to allow time for those that wish to enter the garden which costs £7.95 if booked at least one day in advance online (or £9.95 on the day)  The Savill Garden - Windsor Great Park There is no charge to enter the visitor centre which includes a gift shop, plant centre, restaurant, café and dog friendly (partly covered) outside terrace.  

If you have OS maps the route may be found at https://explore.osmaps.com/route/20053531/virginia-water-circular?lat=51.432781&lon=-0.639481&zoom=12.2418&style=Standard&type=2d

Is it dog friendly? Dogs are welcome on the walk but are not allowed inside Savill Garden or the Visitor Centre. There is however a dog friendly large outdoor terrace at Savill Garden Kitchen (please check the Savill Garden website for more information). Please note and abide by the Countryside Code (https://tinyurl.com/rlqvp3h) and remember not everyone loves dogs as much as you do so please be mindful of other members.

New Members

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Image / photo credits:  All leader's own images (taken in January 2024) - with permission for OutdoorLads to use and reuse

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