Windsor Great Park

Windsor Great Park is a large historic royal park south of Windsor in Berkshire, England, covering roughly 4,800 acres (about 1,900 hectares). It has been part of the royal estate and landscape surrounding Windsor Castle for many centuries.

The park contains a mix of long avenues, lakes, formal gardens and open deer park. The Long Walk is a straight tree-lined avenue of about 4.3 km that provides framed views toward Windsor Castle. Virginia Water offers lakeside walking routes and ornamental planting, while the Savill Garden provides managed ornamental beds and specimen trees across its woodland setting.

Originally part of the royal hunting and parkland landscape around Windsor Castle, the area has been managed as a royal estate for many centuries and evolved into a public recreational and conservation space under Crown management. Features and plantings have been altered and added over time to support leisure, conservation and horticulture.

The park sits immediately south of the town of Windsor, on the outskirts of the royal estate, and is about 32 km (roughly 20 miles) west of central London. The landscape is a mix of woodland, open parkland and ornamental lakes.

• Best views: Offers clear, framed views of Windsor Castle along the Long Walk, best in clear weather and at sunrise or late afternoon light.
• Wildlife etiquette: Deer are most visible in early morning and late afternoon; keep distance and follow park guidance to avoid disturbing wildlife.
• Scale: The park covers roughly 4,800 acres (about 1,900 hectares) and includes a mix of formal gardens, open parkland and managed woodland.

What to See #

• Long Walk: A tree-lined ceremonial avenue running roughly 4.3 km between Windsor Castle and Snow Hill, notable for its long straight vista and horse-riding access.
• Virginia Water: A wooded lakeside area with marked trails, ornamental planting and lakeside paths popular for walking and boating.
• Savill Garden: An ornamental woodland garden created in the 20th century and managed as part of the park, noted for mixed borders and specimen trees.
• Deer Park: Open parkland that supports free-roaming herds of red and fallow deer and offers wide views across the park.
• The Copper Horse: A hill-top equestrian statue that marks Snow Hill and is a visible landmark from parts of the park.