Great windsor park & Virginia water
Windsor Park and Virginia Water was the first walk we did with Lulu when she was a puppy. The park is about an hour away from London and your dog can be mostly off-lead. There are woods for them to chase squirrels, tons of new dog friends for them to play with, and lakes and streams for them to swim in. Just beware of swans and geese. If your dog is a confident swimmer, the lake is totally safe, algae-free and gets deep enough for a good paddle. Most of the swimming spots are shallow in the beginning, which is great for younger/timid dogs to learn to swim. This is where Lulu became a water-lover.
There are so many different trails you can take, making each trip unique and different. I highly recommend trying Windsor Park at least once as it is our favourite place to walk Lulu any time of year. There are also gorgeous plant displays, flower fields and cherry blossoms in the spring and summer.
Taken end of March 2019
Nikon D5300, Nikorr 50mm f/1.4
Taken in June 2020
Nikon D850, Nikorr 35mm f/1.8
PREFERRED SEASON: ALL
SHEEP? No. But beware of swans and geese in the water.
STEEP? No.
SLIPPERY? No.
OFF-LEAD? For the majority, yes. There are some areas, like the Valley Gardens, where your dog must be on-lead.
SPOTS FOR SWIMMING? Yes.
CROWD? Variable. Quite quiet in the winter but can be a little crowded in the summer months.
MUDDY? Variable. Sometimes Lulu comes home dry and spotless but sometimes she comes back half-brown. There are multiple streams and ponds to wash-off though.
SHADE? Yes, tons! It’s perfect for hot days as dogs can keep cool and stay in tree-covered paths!
Taken July 2021
Nikon D850, Nikorr 24mm f/1.8
Taken August 2020
Nikon D850, Nikorr 14-24mm f/2.8
WHEN to go to find…
DAFFODILS: March - April, in the Valley Gardens
BLUEBELLS: April, all over in the woods
CHERRY BLOSSOMS & TREE BLOSSOMS: March - April, all over & in the Valley Gardens
RHODODENDRONS/ AZALEA: May - June, all over park (we went in early June and they were almost in full bloom), Azalea garden by the Valley Gardens
HYDRANGEAS: July - August (Edge of Valley Gardens)
HEATHER: August - September, all over in many patches but mostly around Totem Pole and Virginia Water South
AUTUMN FOLIAGE: October - November on the trees, December-January on the ground
Parking:
Windsor Great Park, Savill Garden
Wick Ln, Englefield Green, Egham TW20 0UJ
Virginia Water Main
London Rd, Virginia Water GU25 4QF
* this is the best place to park if your dog likes to get muddy as there’s a really clean “dog beach” right by the car park!
Virginia water south
London Rd, Sunningdale, Ascot SL5