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📈 Grade: 🥾🥾🥾 Level 3/5

Step into history and nature on a relaxed yet rewarding circular hike through Windsor Great Park, one of England’s most iconic royal landscapes.

Stretching across nearly 2,000 hectares of ancient woodland, rolling meadows and tranquil lakes, this breathtaking park was once the private hunting ground of Windsor Castle and today is beautifully cared for by the Crown Estate.

This route is rated easy to moderate, ideal for beginners and intermediate hikers. Paths are mostly flat and well kept, while the distance still offers a satisfying challenge.

We begin in Windsor on the Long Walk, a majestic 2.5-mile avenue with Windsor Castle rising in the distance. Our first landmark is the Copper Horse, the imposing statue of King George III atop Snow Hill, with panoramic views across the park.

Next we wind through shaded trails in The Plantations and along the quiet edges of Obelisk Pond. In autumn the park glows with golden oaks, fiery chestnuts and russet beeches. Continuing south, we glimpse the Valley Gardens, a spectacle of colour throughout the year.

At Virginia Water Lake, we loop the shoreline and visit:

  • The Ruins of Leptis Magna, fragments from a Roman city in modern-day Libya
  • The Cascade, an ornamental waterfall, picturesque even when dry
  • The Totem Pole, a towering gift from Canada carved with intricate detail

After a refreshing stop at the Virginia Water Café, we return via peaceful Cow Pond. Once reshaped in the 18th century by architect William Kent, this ornamental water was designed to mirror the trees and sky and remains a tranquil highlight today.

Finally we retrace the Long Walk, with Windsor Castle dramatically framed ahead, a perfect finale to a day immersed in history and nature.

We finish at Windsor town centre where you can explore the town, relax in a local pub or catch a train home.

🌅 Sunset on 1 November is at 16:30, with civil twilight ending at 17:06, so please bring a head torch in case the group is a little slower than expected.

✅ WHO CAN JOIN:

  • 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Adults aged 21 and over
  • 👶 No children
  • 🐾 No pets (allergies and phobias)

📅 RSVP POLICY:
Please RSVP only if you can attend, and update your response if your plans change. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations may limit future sign-ups. On the day, we will check in attendees individually. Anyone who does not arrive will be marked as a no-show.

🚗🅿️💰By Car:
Parking can be expensive and busy (🔺the parking prices in Windsor are increased sharply and unfairly). The Castle Car Park near the station is around 🔺£26.00 for 8 hours (approx). Check current prices here before you set off.

🚆BY TRAIN (There are two train stations in Windsor).
🚂 Slow & direct option – from London Waterloo (£11.80, ~1 hour)

🚂 Fast & indirect option – from London Paddington (~30 minutes, £11.05)

  • 08:38 – Depart London Paddington → Arrive Slough 08:53
  • 09:10 – Depart Slough → Arrive Windsor & Eton Central 09:16

-OR-

  • 09:08 – Depart London Paddington → Arrive Slough 09:23
  • 09:30 – Depart Slough → Arrive Windsor & Eton Central 09:36

📍MEETING POINT:

  • 09:45 –Windsor & Eton Central railway station ticket office (next to the steam engine).
  • The event host (AdrianB) will be waiting at this meeting point.
  • If you arrive at Windsor & Eton Central railway station from Slough, please wait by the ticket office, next to the steam engine.

🚶WALK STARTS:

  • 09:50 - After check-in is complete, we’ll begin from Windsor & Eton Central station ticket office (next to the steam engine).
  • Please be punctual, the event will start without late arrivals.

🏁 WALK FINISHES:

  • Approximately 16:30 at Windsor town centre

🍔 LUNCH:

  • Packed lunch and snacks.
  • We’ll take a break in the wilderness after about 3 hours of walking (12 km / 7.5 miles).

🌳 TOILETS:

  • Use toilets before the start time!
  • Discreet nature stops during walk
  • Virginia Water Café
  • The Savill Garden Shop

👣 STAYING TOGETHER:
Follow the group leader, not the fastest walker. If you’re near the back, always keep someone in sight ahead of you. If you’re walking at the front, stop and wait at junctions so everyone can regroup. We’ll make short pauses along the way to allow the group to stay together.

🎒WHAT TO BRING:

  • Packed lunch and snacks
  • Water (at least 2 L)
  • Sturdy footwear
  • Layers and waterproofs
  • Sun protection
  • Medication and small first aid (Compeed blister plasters)
  • Optional walking poles
  • Fully charged phone and a small power bank

🚂 RETURN TRAINS:

  • 16:21 - Windsor & Eton Riverside, Arrive London Waterloo 17:19
  • 16:51 - Windsor & Eton Riverside, Arrive London Waterloo 17:49
  • 17:21 - Windsor & Eton Riverside, Arrive London Waterloo 18:19
  • 17:51 - Windsor & Eton Riverside, Arrive London Waterloo 18:49

...

  • 16:20- Windsor & Eton Central, Arrive London Paddington 16:50
  • 16:40- Windsor & Eton Central, Arrive London Paddington 17:20
  • 17:20- Windsor & Eton Central, Arrive London Paddington 17:50
  • 17:40- Windsor & Eton Central, Arrive London Paddington 18:20

⚠️ TERRAIN, CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULTY:

  • Distance: ~24 km (15 miles)
  • Walking time: ~5.5 hours
  • Total duration: ~6.5 hours (including breaks)
  • Ascent/Descent: 274 m / 272 m
  • Elevation: max 86 m, min 23 m
  • Pace: steady to moderate (5 km/h)
  • Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
  • Terrain: Mostly firm parkland paths, some wide concrete tracks, gravel and woodland trails, with short grassy and sandy sections that may be soft in places.

🥾 Footwear guidance

  • ✖️ Heavy boots can be less comfortable on long concrete sections.
  • ✔️ Lightweight, waterproof hiking boots suitable for mixed terrain.

📞 CONTACT:
Event host AdrianB, message the event host directly via Meetup with any questions, or use WhatsApp on the day +44 (0) 7780 972 356
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⚠️DISCLAIMER:
By joining, you confirm you’ve read and accepted the group policy on the About page. You are responsible for your own safety, and neither the host nor the group can be held liable for injury, loss, or damage.

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CREDITS:
Some images courtesy of Saeideh Babashahi [https://www.pexels.com/@saeideh-babashahi-155343566/gallery/]

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