Windsor Great Park, together with the adjacent Windsor Forest, covers 15000 acres. Together with the adjacent Windsor Forest, this was the hunting ground for royalty and guests of Windsor Castle. Nowadays, much of the Great Park is given over to farming (both arable and livestock);
red deer were reintroduced, after a long absence, by Prince Philip. Without doubt the crowning glory of the park is the Valley Gardens, created by Sir Eric Savill, head gardener of the parks, after whom the spectacular visitor centre and adjacent garden is named.The Valley Gardens are home to the largest collection of rhododendrons in the northern hemisphere and are a
wonderful sight in the spring. The 'punchbowl', a natural amphitheatre, is particularly impressive with its Japanese azaleas of every hue, slightly earlier, camellias and magnolia provide
a riot of colour, complemented by swathes of daffodils. The Valley Gardens flank Virginia Water Lake, created by the Duke of Cumberland after the defeat of the Scottish Jacobites at Culloden; the pictured obelisk was erected in his honour. At the time, Virginia Water was the largest man-made lake in the British Isles. Scenes from Harry Potter films were shot here and recently, Robin
Hood , a Ridley Scott film starring Russel Crowe and Kate Blanchett.

Our long walk starts from Bishopgate Road at 10am; if you prefer the shorter one, join us at the Savill Gardens visitor centre at 10.45 (fee payable). In the walk, we will explore large parts of the Great Park, including the Valley Gardens, Virginia Water and the Punch Bowl. This is a walk to remember