👑 FREE HIKE – Autumn in Royal Windsor: Great Park, Long Walk & Virginia Water

Join us for a spectacular 13–15 mile circular hike through Windsor Great Park, combining royal history, grand avenues, ancient woodland, open parkland and the beautiful waters of Virginia Water.

This is one of those walks where the scenery keeps changing. We’ll take in views towards Windsor Castle, walk along part of the famous Long Walk, pass the Copper Horse, explore quieter woodland and park trails, and make our way towards Virginia Water Lake before looping back towards Windsor.

It’s a fantastic mix of history, nature and classic English landscape — grand enough to feel special, but relaxed enough to enjoy as a proper social hiking day.

📍 Start & Finish: Outside Windsor & Eton Riverside Station
🚗 Car park postcode: SL4 1QG
🕥 Meeting time: 10:15 AM outside the main entrance

Windsor & Eton Central Station is only around a 10-minute walk away, so depending on your journey, you may also find it convenient for the return trip.

🏞️ WHAT TO EXPECT

🏰 Views towards Windsor Castle
👑 The famous Long Walk
🐎 Copper Horse Statue and elevated parkland views
🌳 Ancient woodland and tree-lined avenues
🌿 Wide open parkland and royal landscapes
💧 Virginia Water Lake – a beautiful place for a scenic break
📸 Plenty of great photo opportunities
📚 Centuries of royal history linked with Windsor and the Great Park

And yes — in Windsor, you never know… perhaps even a royal corgi sighting if luck is on our side. 😄

🌳 WHY JOIN THIS ONE?

Windsor Great Park is not simply a park walk.

The landscape has a sense of scale and history that makes it feel very different from an ordinary countryside route. One moment you may be looking down an impressive avenue towards Windsor Castle, and later you can be surrounded by woodland or walking beside the peaceful waters of Virginia Water.

So if you enjoy hikes that combine beautiful scenery, historic landmarks, lakes, woodland and a proper day’s walking, this should be a very enjoyable one.

🥾 PACE & ROUTE

🥾 Distance: Approx. 13–15 miles
🚶 Pace: Medium
⛰️ Terrain: Mostly parkland, woodland trails and paths, with some gentle hills and sections of road walking
🥪 Regular short breaks and a lunch stop
⏰ Latest expected finish: Around 6:00 PM

Please note: The stated finish time is usually a latest expected finish time rather than an exact finish time. I often finish hikes earlier, but allow extra time because the actual completion time depends on group dynamics, walking conditions, breaks and how everyone is doing on the day.

🚶 GROUP WALKING & COHESION

The hike leader leads from the front. Please stay with or behind the hike leader and do not walk ahead. This helps keep the group together, supports group cohesion, and reduces the risk of people becoming separated or taking the wrong route.

Please remain mindful of those walking behind you as well.

🎒 WHAT TO BRING

🥾 Hiking boots or sturdy walking shoes
🥪 Packed lunch and snacks
💧 At least 2 litres of water
🧥 Clothing suitable for the weather
☔ Waterproofs if rain is forecast
📷 Camera or phone for the views
😊 A positive spirit

⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTES

Group rules: Please read the About Us section before signing up for the event:
https://www.meetup.com/free-hiking- outdoor-fitness-and-social-activities

Safety: This is a free, voluntary social hiking activity. Participants are responsible for their own fitness, safety, clothing, equipment and personal belongings, and for respecting fellow walkers, wildlife and the environment.

No professional guiding service or assumption of risk is provided or accepted by the organiser.

✅ Event sign-up is compulsory. No sign-up = no participation. Please make sure you are registered for this specific Meetup event before attending.

🍺 AFTER THE HIKE

After completing the circuit, we’ll head to a pub near the station for anyone who would like to stay for a well-earned drink and social.

📱 If you have any issues or are running late: WhatsApp 07830 374 629

Royal parkland, Windsor Castle views, ancient woodland, Virginia Water and a sociable finish — all in one hike.