Sunningdale to Windsor walk

Virginia Water, Windsor Great Park, the Long Walk, and Windsor Castle

History

This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.

Date Option Post # Weather
Wed, 20-Dec-23 Sunningdale to Windsor 11 morning sun but
Sun, 21-May-23 Sunday Walk Sunningdale to Windsor - Windsor Great Park, and azaleas and rhododendrons in Valley Gardens 7 sunny and warm becoming overcast later
Sat, 21-May-22 Saturday Walk Sunningdale to Windsor - Virginia Water, Valley Gardens, Windsor Great Park, the Long Walk, and Windsor Castle 9 overcast and slightly humid in the morning turning to sunny as we walked the Long Walk
Mon, 27-Dec-21 Monday Walk Bank Holiday Monday: Sunningdale to Windsor - Virginia Water, Valley Gardens, Windsor Great Park, and The Long Walk to Windsor Castle 4 rain or drizzle until lunchtime with some sunshine breaking through later
Sat, 05-Dec-20 Saturday Walk Sunningdale to Windsor - Virginia Water, Windsor Great Park, The Long Walk, and Windsor Castle 11 sunshine for most of the day
Sat, 07-Nov-20 [cancelled] Saturday Walk Sunningdale to Windsor - cancelled due to nationwide lockdown
Wed, 15-May-19 Wednesday Walk Sunningdale to Windsor - Azaleas in Valley Gardens, Windsor Great Park - and the Long Walk to Windsor Castle 14 glorious sunny warm day
Wed, 09-May-18 Wednesday Walk Sunningdale to Windsor or Staines - Virginia Water, Windsor Great Park, Windsor Castle or Runnymede 8 glorious sunny and warm day
Sun, 18-Feb-18 Sunday walk - Sunningdale to Windsor or Runnymede 7 dry mild with some sun
Wed, 27-Jan-16 Midweek day walk - Sunningdale to Windsor 6 drizzle and rain all day but never torrential
Sun, 24-Jan-16 First Sunday Walk 2 Sunny
Sun, 14-Jun-15 m Sunday Second Walk - Celebrating Magna Carta 14
Sat, 15-Nov-14 Sunningdale to Windsor 4
Wed, 05-Mar-14 Sunningdale to Windsor
Sat, 31-Aug-13 Sunningdale to Windsor 24
Sun, 10-Mar-13 Sunningdale to Windsor 0
Sat, 06-Oct-12 Sunningdale to Windsor
Wed, 01-Feb-12 Sunningdale to Windsor
Sat, 30-Apr-11 Sunningdale to Windsor
Sat, 22-May-10 Sunningdale to Windsor
Sun, 31-Jan-10 Sunningdale to Windsor
Sat, 02-May-09 Sunningdale to Windsor
Sun, 25-Jan-09 Sunningdale to Windsor
Sat, 10-May-08 Sunningdale to Windsor
Sat, 15-Dec-07 Sunningdale to Windsor
Wed, 20-Jun-07 Sunningdale to Windsor
Sat, 05-May-07 Sunningdale to Windsor
Sun, 18-Mar-07 Sunningdale to Windsor
Sat, 09-Dec-06 Sunningdale to Windsor
Wed, 20-Dec-23 : Sunningdale to Windsor 11
Sandy
Sandy

This walk is recommended for May when azaleas are in bloom, but I've found it to work well in the winter. There are good surfaces and 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 Staines 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 only lunchtime stop is the Savill Garden Kitchen, in the Savill Building, about 5 miles into the walk (just as you reach Windsor Great Park). Unfortunately this seems to have become rather pretentious and pricey. You can't book in advance, apparently.

Tea: There are plenty of pubs and tea shops in Windsor to choose from for a post-walk tea stop. The main walk page recommends The Boatman (tel 01753 620 010), a gastropub and riverside restaurant located directly behind Windsor &Eton Riverside railway station or The Cinnamon Cafe (01753 857 879) in the Windsor Royal Station retail precinct (site of former railway station terminus).

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

  • 21-Dec-23

    11 on a day of morning sun but dull-later. A local expert helped us choose which bits of the route to follow exactly and which to skip or shorten. I think everyone agreed the morning section of the park was looking good in the winter sun.

    Three took advantage of the Gallery Cafe at Savill Building which seemed to have a reasonable choice of soup and sandwiches and wasn't too busy. The rest of us had sandwiches outside and some partook of coffee or mulled wine. I think one sampled the restaurant. After a muddier stretch in the deepening gloom we headed up the aptly named Long Walk. Most went in search of tea and cake in Windsor but three of us went to the George Inn for a pre-Christmas drink. Group cohesion higher then usual for a Wednesday so a nice sociable end to my SWC year - merry Christmas everyone and looking forward to 2024!

Book 1, Walk 18: Sunningdale to Windsor

Length: 17 km (10.6 miles)
Toughness: 2 out of 10 (slightly more when muddy)
London Waterloo: 10-09 hrs South Western service to Reading Clapham Junction 10-19 hrs
Arrive Sunningdale: 11-01
Return
Windsor & Eton Riverside: South Western service back to Waterloo at 01 mins past hour (a slow, stopping everywhere service) and 34 mins past the hour
You can return to London Paddington from Windsor Central Station, changing at Slough, for a shorter journey (in time) home
Rail ticket: you should purchase a day return to Windsor & Eton Riverside plus a single from Staines to Sunningdale
If returning from Windsor Central Station, you will need to buy separate singles for both legs of your journey today.
Your usual walk poster is away on the SWC Scottish trip, so I am standing in for him today, as a one-off.
The colourful azaleas in Valley Gardens might just be past their best but I am hoping there are still some in bloom for you to enjoy this part of the walk.
Today's pleasant outing starts in Sunningdale and takes you to Cowarth Park, with its polo pitches, then to the River Thames and the Virginia Water Lakes before you arrive at the entrance to Valley Gardens. Through these gardens lined with azaleas then down to the Totem Pole, before a final morning leg to Savill Gardens, where I suggest you stop for lunch at the Savill Garden Restaurant, a large cafeteria with a selection of light meals, hot dishes and Sunday roasts. There are good picnic spots nearby by Obelisk Pond.
After lunch, you walk along Rhododendron Drive to Cow Pond, with its water lilies, to then enter the Deer Park section of Windsor Great Park. You have a choice of routes before embarking along the Long Walk - see the Walk Directions.
On entering Windsor you have a choice of stops for post-walk refreshments. I like the Cinnamon Cafe in the former Windsor Royal Station precinct, but the Boatman pub on the River Thames is also popular with SWC walkers, particularly if it is a nice day and you can sit outdoors.
T=1.18
Walk Directions are here: L=1.18
  • 21-May-23

    7 of us alighted from the train at Sunningdale railway station for today's walk to Windsor. The morning was sunny and warm becoming overcast later ; in fact near ideal walking conditions, as a gentle breeze kept us refreshed. No mud to speak of, as our route took us through green, lush parkland and woods.

    Valley Gardens did not disappoint. Once fully in the gardens there were some magnificent, colourful displays of azaleas - and the rhododendrons were pretty good as well. On reaching Savill Gardens three of us decided to have lunch in the cafeteria, whilst the others enjoyed their picnics near Obelisk pond. The cafeteria was busy and our diners had to queue for a table , then wait quite a while for meals to arrive - but the staff were pleasant and the meals were good - so not an unpleasant experience. One of the picnickers waited patiently for the diners whilst the other three picnickers headed off on the afternoon leg of the walk, some 40 minutes before the rest of us, not to be seen again - I hope they enjoyed their afternoon.

    We did not see any deer in the Deer Park - unusual - just one muntjac in the morning. Per usual, the Long Walk went on forever but eventually we arrived below Windsor Castle, then on into town. Although we were a small group of four we managed to split up, with one or two heading for Windsor Central railway station, whilst I headed for the Riverside station to catch the 16-34 hrs service to Waterloo. Trains were on time today but busy in both directions, mainly due to a rugby game being played at Twickers.

    A nice way to spend a Sunday in May.

Book 1 Walk 18 - Sunningdale to Windsor

Length: 17 km (10.6 miles)
Toughness: 2 out of 10
London Waterloo: 09-50 hrs South Western service to Reading Clapham Junction 09-58 hrs
Arrive Sunningdale: 10-38 hrs
Return

Windsor & Eton Riverside to Waterloo: 23 & 53 mins past the hour
Windsor & Eton Central to Paddington, changing at Slough: 06, 26 & 46 mins past the hour
Rail ticket: buy a day return to Windsor & Eton Riverside plus a single from Staines to Sunningdale.
If returning from Windsor Central (a shorter journey) you will need separate single tickets today.
Azaleas Four of us enjoyed this walk just after Christmas last year, but the best time to attempt this walk is now - for the colourful display of azaleas and rhododendrons in Valley Gardens and Savill Gardens. Having just had your bluebell fix, you should enjoy the azaleas which should be close to their colourful best.
Some Saturday walkers are a bit "sniffy" about this walk, suggesting it is not a proper country walk but a parkland walk. Sniff away - it really doesn't matter, as from the start in Sunningdale to the finish in Windsor, it is a delight, and most who force themselves to give it a go are pleasantly surprised at how nice a walk it is.
Leaving Sunningdale we have a bit of road walking before entering Cowarth Park - with its polo pitches. On then to Virginia Water lake and over its impressive five arch stone bridge as we head along a woodland path beside the River Thames then along grassy field edges before entering Valley Gardens, to enjoy its flower displays. We head down to the Totem Pole then over to Obelisk Pond ( picnickers stop here) . Lunch can be taken nearby in the Savill Garden Restaurant, a spacious, comfortable cafeteria, with indoor and outdoor seating, plus gift shop.
After lunch we walk down Rhododendron Drive to Cow Pond, then over to the entrance to Windsor Great Park's Deer Park. The onward routes (you have choice - see the Directions) take you to the Long Walk - an arrow straight surfaced way which ends below Windsor Castle. The town is likely to be busy with its preparations for Her Majesty the Queen's coming celebrations. For tea try the Cinnamon Cafe in the former Windsor Royal Station precinct. For an alcoholic drink, The Boatman pub overlooking the River Thames should suit you well.
T=1.18
Walk Directions are here: L=1.18
  • 21-May-22

    Just 9 of us today, including one first timer - I hope she enjoyed her first day's walking with the SWC.

    As for the weather, it was overcast and slightly humid in the morning turning to sunny as we walked the Long Walk .

    The rhododendrons were splendid in Virginia Water, as they were everywhere else on the walk today. But the azaleas were disappointing - two plus weeks past their best in Valley Gardens. Note to self - post this walk next year by week two of May (just after the bluebells).

    Four of us dined at the Savill Gardens cafeteria - excellent, friendly service, and prompt arrival of meals, albeit of iffy quality. No matter - it made for an enjoyable lunch stop. All but one of the sandwichers waited patiently for the diners to finish their lunches, so we set off as an eightsome post prandial.

    The rhodos alongside Rhododendron Drive were colourful, and the water lilies in Cow Pond were coming on nicely.

    On entering Windsor Deer Park; for the first time ever (in my experience on this walk) there was not one sighting of bambi - the nearest we came to it all day was the venison sausages I purchased in the Savill Gardens shop.

    The Long walk went on forever, per usual , but eventually we arrived below Windsor Castle. We thought better of scrounging tea from Her Madge as one in our group was a French Republican, so instead we headed into town - very busy per usual with tourists. Five of us stopped for tea and cake at the Cinnamon Cafe in the Windsor Royal Station precinct, whilst the other three made for The Boatman pub on the river.

    It was the 16-22 hrs service from the Riverside station for the Cinnamons, whilst I expect the Boatmen caught the train thirty minutes later.

    I only knew one of my eight companions today from previous SWC walks but I have to say I had a most enjoyable day in their company - thank you. And hopefully the day for the others wasn't too shabby.

Book 1, Walk 18 - Sunningdale to Windsor

Length: 17 km (10.6 miles)
Toughness: 2 out of 10 No steep hills today Modest inclines in Valley Gardens
London Waterloo: 09-50 hrs South Western service to Reading Clapham Junction: 09-58 hrs
Arrive Sunningdale: 10-38 hrs
Return
Windsor & Eton Riverside to Waterloo: 23 and 53 mins past the hour
Rail ticket: today you will need a day return to Windsor & Eton Riverside plus a single from Staines to Sunningdale
As Her Majesty is spending the festive season at Windsor Castle this year she might appreciate a few scruffy, muddy SWC walkers popping in to pay their respects and scrounge a cup of tea - but not a lot.....
No matter, the SWC can make do with this undemanding walk through the royal parkland with its herds of deer. But before that, we enjoy Virginia Water - and the River Thames (yes, our water feature for today) and Valley Gardens. Whilst it is the wrong time of year for the azaleas, the gardens are still pretty and pleasant to walk through. On then to the Totem Pole and Savill Gardens, where we stop for lunch at the Savill Garden Restaurant, a cafeteria managed by Benugo. It's quite nice and the food is 'twixt OK to good. The nearby take-away kiosk might be open, if sandwichers wish to add to their picnics. Your picnic spot is the nearby Obelisk Pond.
Fed and watered, we walk down Rhododendron Drive to Cow Pond. We soon pass Royal Lodges before entering the Deer Park, where we have a choice of routes. If it is muddy we can head direct on tarmac ways to the Copper Horse statue of King Whoever, showing off on his charger, before we embark on The Long Walk. The alternative route has us crossing parkland and through woodland before joining the Long Walk a bit further north. At the top of the Walk is Windsor Castle. The Long walk is a tease, as the castle never seems to get any nearer as we plod on. But do persevere - and eventually the castle is directly in front of us. Here we swing left to enter the town. We should find quite a few establishments open (Covid rules permitting after Boxing Day) for tea or a tincture.
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Walk Directions are here: L=1.18
  • 28-Dec-21

    Just 4 today for this pleasant walk to Windsor. Maybe the wet morning put others off. We did incur rain or drizzle until lunchtime with some sunshine breaking through later . It was unseasonably mild which made choice of walking gear difficult. But no matter, we enjoyed the opening leg of the walk, through some slippery mud which was mostly manageable. Even devoid of azaleas in bloom, the walk through Valley Gardens was as lovely as ever. Arriving at Savill Gardens Cafeteria at 1 pm we found the caff very busy but a table was found for us and service was prompt and friendly. Very acceptable food arrived soon after to keep the fires burning for the afternoon leg of our walk. It took our waiter five attempts to present us with the correct bill, which we eventually found funny, but apart from this, the caff was a very pleasant experience.

    We then took the original TO Book route through Windsor Great Park, avoiding the start of the Long Walk, and viewing at close-up large herds of deer, before joining the Long Walk for the long slog to Windsor Castle. We were a bit mud-splattered by the time we reached its precincts, so we cancelled our plan to take tea with Madge and instead headed for the Royal Windsor Railway Shopping Centre where we enjoyed tea at the Cinnamon Cafe. The town was abuzz with visitors - I have never seen it so busy - so we were fortunate to find a free table in the cafe of my choice.

    Trains were running and on time today which helped make the day an enjoyable one.

Book 1, Walk 18 - Sunningdale to Windsor

Length: 17 km (10.6 miles)
Toughness: 2 out of 10 (3 if muddy)
London Waterloo: 09-50 hrs Southwest trains to Reading Clapham Junction 09-58 hrs
Arrive Sunningdale: 10-38 hrs
Return

Windsor and Eton Riverside to Waterloo: 21 and 51 mins past the hour
Windsor and Eton Central to Paddington, changing at Slough: 05, 25 and 45 mins past the hour
Rail ticket: buy a day return to Windsor and Eton Riverside plus a single from Staines to Sunningdale.
If proposing to return from Windsor Central, it is probably best to buy separate singles
Please read our Covid rules before coming on today's walk and observe the rules all day

We had to abandon our attempt to do this walk a month ago due to Lockdown 2. Let's hope all is well for us to give it a go this Saturday.
This should make for a pleasant early winter's walk mostly on the level, without any demanding hills. There might be some muddy bits in places but hopefully not too much today. There might be some winter flowers in Valley Gardens and Savill Gardens during the morning leg of the walk, before we head via the Totem Poll for lunch at the usually good cafeteria in Savill Gardens - I'm assuming it will have reopened: if not, its takeaway service in its Potting Shed and its takeaway truck both serve hot and cold dishes. Picnickers should find a pleasant spot beside the lake nearby in the Gardens for your luncheon.
After lunch we head for Windsor Great Park for a very long, straight walk along .........The Long Walk, with Windsor Castle directly ahead of us, and seemingly never getting any closer ! But you will eventually get there if you plod on and persevere.
Churches will have reopened for public services come Saturday and I presume Evensong will be celebrated in St George's Chapel, Windsor at 5-15 pm once again - but do check their website for yourselves if you would like this lovely ending to your walk. Otherwise, the usual fleshpots in Windsor await your custom for tea or something stronger before you return home from one of the two railway stations in town.
It's good to be back ! And looking forward to seeing you on Saturday.
T=1.18
Walk directions are here: L=1.18
  • 06-Dec-20

    11 alighted from the posted train and immediately split into two "bubbles" - of six snd five. At times during the morning the lead six were spotted beating the bounds, but alas, after Valley Gardens they were not seen again - I do hope they enjoyed their day as much as the five behind them did.

    The Liphook walkers were unlucky today, as - like the Flitwick walkers - we enjoyed sunshine for most of the day and despite it being cold, with no wind to speak of, conditions for winter walking were near perfect.

    The route was firm under foot and mostly mud-free and it was good to see many families out-and-about, enjoying post-lockdown "freedom". The gardens were devoid of their colourful flowers resplendent in the month of May but the lovely sunshine today made up for this which otherwise worked well for a winter's outing. The restaurant in Savill Gardens was doing a roaring trade in very well managed Covid-compliant conditions and two of us enjoyed good lunches indoors with the other three in our bubble joining us for a coffee.

    The afternoon leg was equally enjoyable - we took the original route once inside the Great Park - and having observed a vast herd of deer from a safe distance we joined the Long Walk for the long haul to Windsor Castle. Ones feet were complaining by the time we reached Windsor, but tea taken in the precincts of the former Windsor Royal Railway Station hit the spot very nicely and we were fully recovered by the time we reached the Riverside railway station, to catch the 16-21 hrs service back to London.

    It was nice to be back in SWC company after lockdown.

Book 1 Walk 18 - Sunningdale to Windsor

CANCELLED

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Book 1 Walk 18 - Sunningdale to Windsor

Length: 17 km (10.6 miles)
Toughness: 2 out of 10

There is an option to end walk in Staines

London Waterloo: 10-20 hrs Reading service CJ 10-28 hrs
Arrive Sunningdale: 11-07 hrs

Return: Windsor and Eton Riverside to Waterloo: 23 and 53 mins past the hour
Windsor and Eton Central to Paddington (changing at Slough): 19 and 59 mins past the hour to 17-19, then 17-39 and 18-00 hrs

Rail ticket: buy a day return to Windsor stations, plus a single from Staines to Sunningdale

This is the best time of year to go on this walk, as the azaleas should be in full bloom and the rhododendrons should be coming into flower.

Purist country walkers are a bit "sniffy" over calling this walk a country walk, as sections of the walk are suburban - but lovers of a good walk should ignore the "sniffers" - and just enjoy it - with its lovely gardens, parkland, and the famous "Long Walk" at walk-end, towards Windsor Castle which, for a tired walker, never seems to get any nearer.

Lunch today can be taken in the Savill Garden Restaurant - a large cafeteria serving hot and cold dishes. For those who eventually make it to the end of the Long Walk in front of Windsor Castle, Windsor town's many nearby cafes and pubs await your custom.
T=1.18
For the Staines walk ending, and more information on Windsor Great Park, please refer to the Walk Directions here: L=1.18





  • Anonymous
    15-May-19

    Tea at Archie's?

  • Anonymous
    15-May-19

    Re. the alternative ending in Staines. First of all there’s a bit of road walking on none too quiet roads. The pub is also closed and boarded up. However the descent through woods to the John F Kennedy followed by the Magna Carta memorials is lovely. This is followed by a long delightful stretch of the Thames Path all the way to Staines. Of note along the river is the new (to me anyway) statue of our present Queen gazing over the river and with some seating and an ice cream van at her feet. Joe.

  • 16-May-19

    Good to learn that Joe and another walker enjoyed their walk-ending in Staines, having said goodbye to the rest of us at the Savill Garden cafeteria. 14 of us alighted from the train at Sunningdale on a glorious sunny warm day to set out on today's walk. The azaleas and rhododendrons in Valley Gardens did not disappoint - some stunning, bright colours with flowers in full bloom. At said Gardens our group separated as we explored the many paths through the hilly Gardens, but most reassembled at the Totem pole or shortly afterwards at the Savill Gardens cafeteria, which was busy but not too busy: diners (about 7 of us) did not have to wait too long for our meals to arrive. Sitting at two outdoor tables with sandwichers who joined us we were able to relax before setting out on the afternoon leg of the walk, still in glorious sunshine. We opted for the original TO Book route rather than the Copper Horse route, and we had fun trying to figure out the correct way given those GPS gizmos showed different routes to the Book's Directions. My version, circa 1902 on vellum, did not let me down. Whilst off piste, thanks to the gizmos, we encountered a large (100 plus) herd of roe deer, which took an interest in us from a safe distance. We joined the Long Walk a mile north of the Copper Horse, but even cutting out the opening section, the walk seemed to go on for ever - that darn castle never getting any nearer. Along the way we were "serenaded" by jet engine noise from overhead planes descending to Heathrow: it was most remiss of me not to have arranged a flight path diversion to Southampton.

    Having reached Windsor, one of us headed straight for the Riverside station, whilst eight stopped at the Boatman pub on the river (behind the railway station) for an enjoyable drink in the afternoon sun before the few minute walk to the station to board the 17-23 hrs train back to London.

    A lovely day's walking in best SWC company.

Book 1, Walk 18: Sunningdale to Windsor or Staines

Length: 17 km (10.6 miles) for main walk. 16.8 km (10.4 miles) for Staines ending
Toughness: 2 out of 10

London Waterloo: 10-20 hrs Reading service. CJ 10-28 hrs
Arrive Sunningdale: 11-07 hrs

Windsor and Eton Riverside to Waterloo: 23 and 53 mins past the hour
Windsor and Eton Central to Paddington, changing trains at Slough: 16-19, 16-59, 17-19, 17-39, 18-00 and 18-19 hrs.
Staines to Waterloo - [S] slow service: 15-59, 16-03[S], 16-08, 16-29, 16-33[S], 16-38, 16-59, 17-03[S]

Rail ticket: If ending walk in Windsor: buy a day return to Windsor all stations plus a single from Staines to Sunningdale
If ending your walk in Staines, buy a day return to Sunningdale


Country walk purists are sniffy over today's walk, claiming it to be a parkland walk and not a proper country walk. So what if it is more parkland - at this time of year the Karume azaleas should be at their very best and the rhododendrons should be coming on nicely in the glorious gardens you will be walking through: it makes for a lovely 10 mile walk, mostly mud free, and not to be sniffed at (and should make a nice change for those of you all bluebelled out).
I expect Windsor will be busy preparing for the Royal wedding but for those ending the walk in Windsor that should not be a problem. Plenty of tea shops and pubs should be open to quench your thirst.
The Staines ending was devised to offer walkers a pub lunch option (not available on the main walk, unless you have a tedious double back). I am told the Sun Inn at Englefield Green is perfectly acceptable for those who like classic pub nosh.
Lunch for those on the main walk is taken at the Savill Garden Restaurant, operated by Leiths, and most are happy with the fare on offer.
Do read the comprehensive introduction in the on-line Directions which contains lots of information on this walk, the history and sights.
T=1.18
Walk Directions here: L=1.18
  • Marion
    09-May-18

    I shall join the train at Twickenham

  • 10-May-18

    Seven SWC walkers alighted from the posted train at Sunningdale, and one was on the next train, meeting up with us at lunch, so that is 8 on a glorious sunny and warm day .

    Some of us did our own thing when we reached Valley Gardens in the morning, wandering around and between the rhodos and azaleas which were in full bloom: I have never seen the gardens look so lovely and colourful in the sunshine.

    Four picnicked at a bench overlooking Obelisk Pond, and four of us dined in the Savill Gardens cafeteria. I preferred the previous self-service counter arrangement, but having placed our orders we did not have to wait too long for our meals to arrive at our table, on the verandah, in the sunshine - and very good food, too. The picnickers joined us for a drink, then two left to continue the walk to Staines, with the rest of us opting to carry on to Windsor.

    At the option point at the entrance to Windsor Park, four headed for the Copper Horse, and I was joined by one as I book checked the original book route. I got lost - a bit embarrassing as I did the previous update. The Copper Horsers kindly waited for us failed explorers to rejoin them on the Long Walk - that is, all bar one, who had out-jfked jfk herself by flagging down a passing horse and carriage to hitch a ride through Windsor Park. Rumours had it she was seen in Lady Muck mode, practising her waves to the peasants from the dicky seat in the carriage. She looked very pleased with herself when she deigned to rejoin us near the Castle. There were plenty of horse and carriages to be seen in the Park, out practising for a prestigious by-Royal-invitation-only three day event. I believe our audacious walker was with the Belgium competitor.

    On eventually reaching the Castle (the Long Walk is a terrible tease - for those who do not cadge a lift - as the darn castle never seems to get any nearer) we stopped for a beer at the the Two Brewers pub, next to the Castle, where the owner was in the process of putting up bunting for a certain marriage in ten days time. Suitably refreshed, we then made our unhurried way down through the town to the Riverside railway station.

    Another lovely Wednesday outing.

Chris L
Sunningdale to Windsor or Staines
Length: 16km (9.9 miles) Toughness: 2/10

The original walk explores Virginia Water, Valley Gardens, Windsor Great Park and the Long Walk to Windsor Castle. A good part of the walk can be done on tarmac paths, which may be a welcome relief from the mud that currently afflicts many fields and footpaths.

Lunch is taken in a cafeteria overlooking the Savill Gardens. Those preferring a pub lunch could divert to the nearby Sun Inn (01784 432515) to which directions can be found in the Runnymede variation.

This alternative afternoon route diverts through fields and tracks to the historical Magna Carta monument at Runnymede meadows and then along the Thames path to Staines. The route is about 1km longer than the route to Windsor. Finishing in Staines simplifies your choice of train ticket, as you just buy a return to Sunningdale, rather then two separate tickets.

09:36 Reading train from Waterloo (Vauxhall 09:40, Clapham Junction 09:45, Wimbledon 09:52, Kingston 10:04, etc) arriving Sunningdale at 10:46. Note that these services are being diverted and not calling at Richmond. See the walk directions for train ticket options.

Return trains from Windsor and Eton Central to Paddington are at xx:02 and xx:22 (change at Slough, journey time 49 mins), or from Windsor and Eton Riverside to Waterloo at xx:01 (journey time 93 minutes). Trains from Staines to Waterloo are at xx:11 and xx:41 (journey time 59 minutes)and at xx:19 (journey time 75 minutes). All the Waterloo services are being diverted after Twickenham.

You will need to download the
walk directions, and also the Runnymede variation (see above) if you might want to do the alternative afternoon route.

T=1.18
  • Anonymous
    16-Feb-18

    Going.

  • Anonymous
    16-Feb-18

    Hi,

    I am just wondering if you are sure that there's a 10:09 train to Reading on this Sunday.

    My search says 9:36 Waterloo

    10:46 Sunnindale

  • Anonymous
    16-Feb-18

    Yes, it does seem to be 9.36 from London to Sunningdale. Next train after that is 10.36 from London.

  • 16-Feb-18

    Thanks for spotting the problem with the train time. I've corrected the outward (and return) train info.

    There are engineering works between Clapham Junction and Twickenham so trains are being diverted, with journey times about 20 minutes longer than normal.

  • 19-Feb-18

    I think the last time I did this walk was some time in the late Cretaceous period in the SWC's history so I had forgotten virually everything about it. I decided to give it another go and 7 of us set off on what is essentially a suburban/parkland walk and frankly at this time of year it is a bit dull although virtually mud-free (but not if you do the Runnymede option where a strip pf the field is very muddy). Probably better in Spring when at least there should be some decent flowers and shrubs to enjoy.

    Most of us diverted to the Sun Inn which provided good quality meals really quickly. We reached the Thames where all except 1? ambled on to Staines along the Thames path. on this day the Staines option was preferable because of the better train service back to London and we reached the station to catch a 3.48 train to Waterloo. Weather dry mild with some sun .

  • 20-Feb-18

    We did this walk on Sunday (myself, my partner and a eight month old baby) and even managed to follow the section in the Rhododendrons where the wayfinding was complex to say the least. I do question, however, the distances in walk instruction 49 which are much longer than described.

    49. In 130 metres exit the wood and turn right on a car-wide track, your direction 25°. In 160 metres your track joins an access track

    and you keep ahead. In 60 metres you pass the entrance driveway to scout huts on your left-hand side.

    We had lunch in the Savill Garden tent restaurant and finished between five and six. We arrived with the main party but didn't walk with them as we had some immediate baby related business to attend to right at the start!

Mike A
Mike A

Sunningdale to Windsor - a repeated Regal Romp in Royal Landscape

Virginia Water, Windsor Great Park, the Long Walk, and Windsor Castle

Book 1 Walk 18

Length : 16 km or 10 miles

Toughness : 2 out of 10

Getting there : Catch the 10:20 am train from London Waterloo to Sunningdale.
Calling stations:

  • Clapham Junction departs at 10:28
  • Richmond departs at 10:36
  • Twickenham departs 10:40

Meeting point : Sunningdale station at 11:07

Suggested Tickets : Buy a cheap day return to Windsor (all stations) and a single from Staines to Sunningdale

Brief Description

It'll probably be a bit of a squelch round Virginia Water, but there are quite a few firm paths which should make the walk a little easier underfoot.
You may find full details here

Suggested Lunch stops

The Savill Garden Restaurant (cafeteria) t: 01784 485 402

Suggested Tea stops

Cinnamon Café t: 01753 857879 in Windsor and Eaton Central Station. This is a suggestion by the poster. However there are many other delightful eateries in the town centre.

Map

OS Explorer : 160

Return train times

Trains return from Windsor and Eaton Central Station to Paddington ( Change at Slough ) at the following times ... 16:00 | 16:32 | 16:52 | 17:10 | 17:30 and may suit Ealing Broadites and small brown bears.

Trains return from Windsor and Eaton Riverside Station to Waterloo at 23 and 53 minutes past the hour and will suit Clapham Junctioneers
  • Anonymous
    22-Jan-16

    Anyone spot the difference?

  • Anonymous
    23-Jan-16

    I presume 1038 at richmond jfk

  • 23-Jan-16

    As you can see, this walk was also posted on the preceding Sunday.

    Unfortunately the poster for the Sunday walk didn't put the title on the Blog header, so Dent missed the clash :-(

    Anyhow it's a little late to change so I apologise to anyone who was intending to do this walk on Sunday and who was also intending to walk this Wednesday - hopefully not too many of you!

  • Anonymous
    26-Jan-16

    forecast horrible for tomorrow so i'm out. too bad. M

  • 28-Jan-16

    6 drizzle and rain all day but never torrential .

    Fair weather walkers stayed away, leaving 6 of us to venture forth on a day when the rain was never as heavy as forecasted. Not a good time of year to do this walk - it should be done in April and May when the azaleas and rhododendrons are in bloom - but that said we made the best of the day and the walk in very nice company - and it was not too muddy or wet under foot. Lunch at the Savill Gardens caff was as expected, and 4 of us stopped for tea and cake in Windsor.

    An enjoyable day out.

  • Anonymous
    28-Jan-16

    Wonderful day out in light rain.jfk

Sun, 24-Jan-16 : First Sunday Walk 2
Chris L
Chris L
Book 1 Walk 18 Sunningdale to Windsor
Length: 16km (9.9 miles) Toughness: 2/10

09:39 Reading train from Waterloo (Vauxhall 09:43, Clapham Junction 09:48) arriving at Sunningdale at 10:44. See the link below for ticket options, depending on your preferred return route.

Two options for return trains: a) from Windsor and Eton Central to Paddington, changing at Slough, at xx:02 and xx:22; b) slow stopping service from Windsor and Eton Riverside to Waterloo at 15:01, 16:01, 18:01.

The recommended lunch stop is a cafeteria in Windsor Great Park, the Savill Garden Restaurant.

You will need to take either Book 1 or the online Walk Directions.
  • Anonymous
    22-Jan-16

    Anyone spot the difference?

  • Anonymous
    23-Jan-16

    Is there a difference

  • 29-Jan-16

    2 Sunny . Possibly only two because the same walk to follow mid week. Mostly mud-free so a good walk for this time of year. Went a little off piste in the Park but as a result got close to two very impressive stags an saw a group of hinds and young.

Chris L
Chris L
Book 1 Walk 18 variation – Sunningdale to Staines via Runnymede
Length: 17km (10.6 miles) Toughness: 2/10

10.09 Reading train from Waterloo (Vauxhall 10:13, Clapham Junction 10:19) arriving at Sunningdale at 11:00. Buy an off-peak day return to Sunningdale, which is three stops beyond Staines.

There are five return trains an hour from Staines to Waterloo, the fastest being at xx:11 and xx:41.

Some SWC walkers have already visited the splendid Magna Carta exhibition at the British Library, and this walk offers an opportunity to visit the place where the momentous meeting between King John and the barons took place on 15 June 1215. On the 800th anniversary itself a major celebratory event will be held on Runnymede meadows, where King John put his seal to the charter. But the celebrations commence in the days leading up to Monday’s event, and you’ll be able to view the river pageant which arrives at Runnymede on Sunday afternoon.

In the morning the route follows the Book 1 Sunningdale to Windsor walk, but after lunch at the Savill Garden Restaurant it diverts to head directly down to the Thames at Runnymede, before following the Thames Path downstream to Staines. It would also be possible to follow the Thames Path in the opposite direction to reach Windsor, but the station there is on a different line, requiring an extra rail ticket, so it is simpler to head for Staines, which is on the same line as Sunningdale.

As well as the usual lunch stop at the Savill Garden Restaurant, the diverted route passes a nearby pub, The Sun Inn (01784 432515), which could be an option for those who prefer a pub lunch. Please ring the pub when you get off the train to let them know how many walkers to expect. Two recent walkers reported having an unsatisfactory meal there, in terms of both quality and quantity, but the kitchen might have been having an off day, so it would be good to have more reports before dismissing it as an option.

During the weekend a River Relay consisting of about 200 boats will transport a facsimile of Magna Carta down the Thames, with stops en route. The flotilla will be passing Runnymede meadows in the early afternoon of Sunday, with the main flotilla reaching the Runnymede Pleasure Ground at 14:45 and the Queen’s Row Barge ‘Gloriana’ arriving at 15:15. There a re-enactment of the sealing of Magna Carta will take place as part of an all-day Pageant.

The Pageant is a ticketed event which will necessitate the temporary closure of a section of the Thames Path that runs round the edge of the site. At this point the path will be diverted for about 600 metres to go along the A308, where there is no footpath. At the RCDC sign turn left for 150 metres, following a public bridleway sign, to regain the riverside path, where you turn right.

For the morning route you will need to take either Book 1 or the online Walk Directions. The afternoon route can be downloaded here.

T=1.18.m
  • Anonymous
    09-Jun-15

    Looking forward to doing this. Is there a fee to pay to see the events at Runnymede?

  • 09-Jun-15

    To see the Pageant in Runnymede Pleasure Ground with all its activities, including the re-enactment, you'd need a ticket, though this event has long been sold out. But there's no charge to stand on the banks of the Thames at Runnymede to watch the flotilla of boats pass by, and you might get a glimpse of everyone disembarking at the pleasure ground.

  • Anonymous
    16-Jun-15

    We had 14 initially, two late comers joined at lunch time. Morning ramble in various parks were lovely, loads of flowers in full bloom. Lunch at self service restaurant was good, they now have Leith catering on site, not expensive as some suggested. They even served Magna Carta beer. We reached river at Runnymede just before 2:45pm, all found a nice spot to watch the river relay. After visiting the Magna Carta Memorial, we head to the ticketed area (now open to everyone) for 'fun fair'. Several watched locals jousting. Five of us then had tea/drink at Mercure hotel cafe by the river in Stain o Thames. The weather: mostly cloudy with sunny intervals occasionally.

  • Anonymous
    17-Jun-15

    14