Autumn Leaves at Virginia Water – Country Hike

Walk length 13miles/20km approx. Circular.

A scenic largely flat walk exploring Virginia Water which is particularly picturesque during the Autumn.

Virginia Water was created in 1753 and is part of the Great Windsor Park. For many years it was the largest man-made lake in the UK. It is surrounded by extensive woodland, some designated as sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSI) for woodland biodiversity.

The Cascade was created in the 1780s when Virginia Water was extended by George the III. The south bank of the lake has the ruins of a Roman Temple (Leptis Magna), which were given as a gift by Bashaw of Tripoli in 1816 to the then Prince Regent (King George IV). It was originally intended for the ruins to be exhibited at the British Museum.

The lake was drained during World War II so as not to be a target for nearby Windsor. Recently the lake has been used for filming of the Harry Potter films and the largest British catch of a pike at over 58lbs was recorded at the lake.

Five Arch Bridge was built in 1827 and designed by the architect Sir Jeffry Wyattville who was also responsible for extensive alterations and designs at Windsor Castle.

A newer addition to the lake is a 100ft Totem Pole given as a gift from the government of British Colombia.

The walk route from Sunningdale Station to the lake is fairly long however it goes through a section of woodland and past some nice polo fields.

Lunch and Finish: Please bring a packed lunch and water for the walk. The walk should finish at about 4.30pm and include a short pack lunch stop close to the visitor centre, however the time may be earlier or later than this depending on the weather and pace. We will have a pub stop close at the end of the walk.

Meeting: Meet outside Sunningdale Rail Station for the walk to start at 10.30am (after the train from London arrives). This is a circular walk and finishes back at Sunningdale Rail Station (very few facilities at Sunningdale station).

Transport

Car: Station Car Park at Sunningdale is £2 on Sunday (limited), free roadside parking close to the station in adjacent roads. (please leave allow enough time to park and check any parking charges and car restrictions).

Train from London: The 9.39am train from London Waterloo gets to Sunningdale for 10.30am.

Please be prompt trains can be busy and you need time to get tickets/group saves. Train from London: Meet outside the main WHSmith on the main concourse at Waterloo Station from 9.00am close to the Pret and ticket information desk to give you time to get tickets/group saves (see photo below).

THE ORGANIZER WILL MEET YOU AT SUNNINGDALE FOR THIS WALK SO YOU NEED TO GET THE TRAIN TICKETS YOURSELVES.

Cost

Walk Cost: £7 cash on the day organizer fee (the host is a qualified London guide). For paypal it is 'colin45@hotmail.co.uk' Please send as friends and family to avoid charges. For bank transfer message organizer.

£12.00 return train approx. with a group save or network railcard discount).

Please make a note of the organizers numbers - Colin 07709305681

Walking Safety: Walking is a great way to keep fit and generally very safe; however it does contain an element of risk. Before going on any of these walks you need to be reasonably fit and be prepared to be responsible for your own safety. You should wear appropriate clothing such as proper walking shoes, warm and wet weather clothing and carry sufficient food and water. Please see our Terms and Conditions (https://www.meetup.com/Chiltern-Explorers/pages/Terms_and_Conditions/)

COULD EVERYONE PLEASE AVOID COMMENTS BELOW THAT ARE NOT SPECIFIC TO THE EVENT AS THIS GENERATES SPAM, JUST CHANGE YOUR RSVP IF YOU CAN'T GO. YOU CAN MESSAGE ME. MANY THANKS.