10.6 miles (17 km) 2/10
This walk is recommended for May when azaleas are in bloom, but it also works well in the winter. There are good surfaces, there are likely to be some festive decorations (and mulled wine) in the park and there are some welcoming hostelries in Windsor to cheer you up in the gloaming. You can always go back in the spring.
Travel: 1020 from Waterloo (Clapham Junction 1028) arrives Sunningdale 1108. Return - from Windsor and Eton Riverside, 2 quite slow trains an hour to Waterloo at 23 and 53. If returning this way you'll need a single from Windsor to Staines as well as a return to Sunningdale OR a return to Windsor and a single Staines-Sunningdale is cheaper if more of a faff.
From Windsor and Eton Central, there are trains at 20 and 40 to Slough where you change for Paddington. This is a bit quicker even with the change. You'll need two single tickets for this option.
Lunch: The lunchtime stop in the Savill Building, about 5 miles into the walk (just as you reach Windsor Great Park). The Gallery Cafe has a decent selection of soup, sandwiches, quicche etc; or there is the Savill Garden Kitchen for a more formal lunch (best to book ahead). There are picnic tables and a snack kiosk outside where they were serving mulled wine last year.
Tea: There are plenty of pubs and tea shops in Windsor to choose from for a post-walk tea stop. The George, just across the bridge so technically in Eton, is worth a visit. The Cinnamon Cafe (01753 857 879) in the Windsor Royal Station retail precinct (site of former railway station terminus) is a good tea and cake stop.
Shortening the walk: once in Windsor Great Park you don't have to follow the exact route and could head more directly to the Long Walk and the park exit, especially if it is getting dark.
*The park closes at 5*
For walk directions, map and GPX click here
T=1.18
3 comments:
Thanks for posting this walk Sandy Had some soup at lunch time .Managed whole walk but the Long Walk nearly finished me off MERRY CHRISTMAS Jane
Thank you Jane. #10 started from Sunningdale at the appointed time, joined by another from the train behind who caught us up at lunch (three got lunch from the cafe, the rest picknicking outside). It was #cloudy-with-glimpses-of-sun. I think everyone enjoyed the morning, including a stop for a possibly last look at the totem pole - apparently it is reaching the end of its natural life and the intention is to "lay it to rest" soon - but found the long walk along the Long Walk a bit of a drag.
The majority had a convivial drink or two in the George at the end. My last posting of the year so Merry Christmas everyone and all the best for 2025, which hopefully we will get off to a good start on January 1
So #11 including the later starter
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