“This train has been cancelled please disembark!” was announced as fifteen polyramblers sat waiting on the 10.20 train from Waterloo to Sunningdale. Oh no! When I asked the guard, he said there had been an incident further up the line and investigations were in progress. Thankfully we caught the next train half an hour later (which terminated at Woking instead of Reading to avoid the problem).
I gave a quick briefing when we arrived and then we set off through leafy woodland. We passed Holy Trinity Church a little later and then on through Coworth Park with its polo grounds and a luxurious hotel where preparations for a wedding were in progress. We crossed a busy A329 and entered Windsor Great Park via Blacknest Gate. We got to the food kiosk near beautiful Virginia Water Lake soon after and since it was nearly 1pm I suggested we had a 30 minute lunch break here. Lots of teas and coffee’s were ordered and a double fried egg in a bun! Suitably refreshed we set off across the five arch bridge heading towards Valley Gardens. This area is very wooded and the lake was beautiful even under the overcast sky above us. Valley Gardens is quite formal with many tall trees, azaleas and rhododendron bushes. Our walk took us ‘off piste’ from the main paths and we climbed up small hills and descended into little valleys turning this way and then that. We got lost a couple of times partly because the route was complicated and partly because some areas had been newly fenced off. Eventually it was a relief to get to the 100’ tall Totem pole which was a gift from Canada to our late Queen Elizabeth. The totem pole has stood here since 1958 but is now decaying and will be taken down later this year as is the custom.
We arrived at Savill Gardens Visitor Centre about 3pm for refreshments where we had another 30 minute break and lashings of whatever we fancied. We had been keeping up a good pace uphill and a rest was welcome.
Afterwards we set off north past Savill Gardens then turned west past cow pond filled with lovely water lilies in bloom. We headed along a sandy bridal path through woods to the deer park where we saw a number of grazing deer, some with elaborate horns. Then a little later we saw the impressive copper statue of King George III astride his horse – a memorial made on the order of his son George IV. Windsor Castle could be seen in the distance 2.6 miles away. We headed for the castle along the Long Walk, the Castle slowly appearing bigger in front of us while simultaneously the Copper Horse slowly appeared smaller behind. Eventually, before getting to the outskirts of the castle, we reached the very busy A308 which took some time for us to cross safely.
Just before the end of the park there was a big event by Extinction Rebellion proposing citizen assemblies and it was just wrapping up as we passed through. We turned left to enter the town of Windsor through some large metal gates shortly before reaching the Castle. In the market square there were lots of pony traps and horses everywhere while their Roma owners were celebrating a traditional Roma wedding in the local pub!
We had kept up a very good pace but in consequence had become rather strung out during the walk from Copper Horse. However everyone knew which of the two stations they wanted to return home from and the times of the trains so all was good.
The first group of Polyramblers headed home on the 5.27pm to Waterloo. Soon followed by the rest of us. I think everyone had a good day. I was certainly tired by the end of our 10 mile walk.
Chris
I used the walk from the book TimeOut Country Walks Volume 1.
My thanks to Mary for helping me in the complex Valley Gardens Section and to Geoffrey for his advice upon the train cancellation and his help on a recent walkover. Also of course a big thank you to everyone who took part on the day!
Photos by Nita and Rochelle
