The Cascade, Virginia Water Lake, Windsor Great Park.

Visitor updates

As an operational Estate, it is sometimes necessary to close parts of Windsor Great Park. Please check the updates below before you travel and, if you are unfamiliar with Windsor Great Park, download the Park map & guide. 

Closures which can occasionally happen on the day are communicated on our Social Media channels. If you are not already following us, you can do so here:

Windsor Great Park map & guide

Before you visit, download or bookmark the Windsor Great Park map & guide.

Notice to dog walkers. Blue-green algae – Obelisk Pond.

A late ‘bloom’ of blue-green algae has been detected on Obelisk Pond.

Dogs are at risk from blue-green algae if they swim in or drink contaminated water, or if they get algae caught in their fur and ingest it while cleaning themselves later on.

Please keep your dog out of Obelisk Pond until further notice. Read here for more information about blue-green algae.

Facility closures
Severe weather closures – Monday 15 April

The Met Office has issued a yellow severe weather warning for Monday 15 April.

In light of this and following our severe weather procedures, we have taken the decision to close the following facilities on Monday 15 April:

Car parks

  • Virginia Water South car park
  • Wick Road car park
  • Ranger’s Gate car park
  • Cranbourne Gate car park

Attractions

  • Adventure Play
  • The Queen Elizabeth Temperate House in The Savill Garden

If you have pre-booked tickets for Adventure Play, we will be contacting you separately.

Footpaths

  • The south side of Virginia Water Lake. During this time there is no access between Virginia Water car park and Blacknest Gate along the south side of the lake

Pedestrian gates

  • Wick Lane corner gate
  • Virginia Water plantation gate
  • Blay’s Lane gate
  • Cheeseman’s gate

The following remain open:

  • The Savill Garden
  • The Savill Garden Visitor Centre including Gift Shop, Savill Garden Kitchen, and facilities
  • The Savill Garden car park
  • Virginia Water car park

Please take extra care when visiting Windsor Great Park, stick to the designated paths and observe any signs in place.

An assessment will be made on Tuesday 16 April and further updates will be available here.

The Savill Garden Kitchen

The Savill Garden Kitchen will close at 3.30pm on Friday 13 September 2024 for a private event. Last orders will be at 3pm.

All other facilities will be open as usual. 

The Savill Garden Visitor Centre

Please be aware that on Thursday 20 June, The Savill Garden Visitor Centre, including the Gift Shop, Savill Garden Kitchen, Gallery Café, and all facilities will close at 4pm. 

The last entry to The Savill Garden will be at 3pm. 

Last entry to the Savill Garden Kitchen will be at 3pm. Last orders in the Gallery Café will be at 3.30pm.

The Savill Garden

Please be aware that Casson Bridge is closed for essential maintenance work.

All areas of The Savill Garden remain open, however please use an alternative bridge when visiting.

Windsor Half Marathon Park closures

Running for Women and Windsor Half Marathon will be returning to Windsor Great Park on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 September 2024.  

As is usual during this event, horse riding, carriage driving and cycling are not permitted in Windsor Great Park on the following dates:

  • From the morning of Saturday 28 September until 12pm
  • From the morning of Sunday 29 September until 1pm

Pedestrian access is reduced during these times, please observe the signs that will be in place.  

Adventure Play

During our quieter off-peak season, Adventure Play will be undergoing a seasonal refresh.

The works will create the need for temporary closure of Adventure Play during these times:

  • Monday 30 September – Monday 14 October

We know this will be disappointing and thank you for your understanding.

Virginia Water Gift Shop

Please be aware that on Tuesday 15 October, the Virginia Water Gift Shop will close from 11am – 3pm. 

The Virginia Water Café will continue to operate on its regular business hours. 

Windsor Farm Shop Café and Windsor Farm Shop

We are pleased to share with you that we will be undertaking a refresh of the shop, café and butchery with the aim of improving the experience for customers.

You can look forward to a fresh new look and feel, as well as a wide range of new products of the highest quality, sourced from British specialty producers, local artisans and farms across The Crown Estate.

Windsor Farm Shop and Café is now closed until:

  • Saturday 19 October

We look forward to welcoming you back very soon.

If you use the Café as a meeting place, you may wish to consider The Savill Garden Visitor Centre as a temporary alternative whilst the Café is closed.  

Windsor Farm Shop Café

Please be aware that on Wednesday 14 August, the Windsor Farm Shop Café will close at 1.30pm, with food served up to 1pm.

Virginia Water Lake closures – Tuesday 7 May

Please be aware of upcoming closures scheduled around Five Arch Bridge from the morning of Tuesday 7 May to the evening of Saturday 11 May.

During this time, the following will be closed:

  • The footpath from Johnson’s Pond at the north end of Virginia Water Lake to the end of Five Arch Bridge towards Blacknest Gate.
A map of the Virginia Wate Lake closure

Please note there will be no circular route around Virginia Water Lake, and we recommend you plan your visit accordingly. Check the Park map & guide for alternative routes here.

For your and the team’s safety, please follow any directions given by the team and take notice of all signs in place.

Virginia Water South car park

For operational reasons Virginia Water South car park will be closed on the following dates:

  • Monday 15 July
Valley Gardens – Main Valley

Please be aware that the lawn area of the Main Valley in the Valleys Gardens is closed for essential forestry works.

During this time there is no access between the Plunket Memorial and Virginia Water Lake along the lawns of the Main Valley. Footpaths leading to the Main Valley are also closed.

The footpaths surrounding the Plunket Memorial and the north side of the lake remain open.

Picnic Field car park

Due to the wet ground conditions, the Picnic Field car park will be closed on weekdays until further notice.

The car park remains open on weekends.

Deer Park

As daylight hours begin to get shorter, the Deer Park closing times will get earlier. Please check the opening times before you travel.

The Deer Park will be closed on the following dates for operational reasons:

  • Monday 4 November
  • Tuesday 12 November
Leptis Magna Ruins

Essential path repair works is taking place in the vicinity of the Leptis Magna Ruins. Paths will still be open but please follow any diversions and keep your dog/s under control using a lead.

Queen Anne’s Ride and Deep Strood

During the winter, ground conditions in some areas of Windsor Great Park can become extremely wet and boggy.

To protect the historic landscape of the Windsor Estate, some areas of Windsor Great Park are closed until spring. This includes:

  • Queen Anne’s Ride
  • Deep Strood

Other areas of Windsor Great Park may also be closed but not listed here. Please observe the signs and fencing that will be in place across all areas of Windsor Great Park.

Roadworks
Restricted access to The Savill Garden

Please be aware that Affinity Water will be carrying out works on Wick Lane from the morning of Wednesday 9 October to the evening of Sunday 13 October.

During this time there will be no access to The Savill Garden and Adventure Play car park from Wick Road, via the A30 – London Road.

Access to the car park is available from Wick Lane, via Kings Lane or Bishopsgate Road.

Virginia Water Café Terrace closure – 4 March 2024

The outdoor seating terrace for the Virgnia Water Café will be closed from Monday 4 March 2024 for essential maintenance work.

The terrace will re-open on Saturday 16 March 2024.

Limited outdoor seating will be available outside the exit of the Virginia Water Café, beside the Virginia Water Pavilion dog terrace.

Seating remains available inside Virginia Water Café, however on busy days you may wish to plan ahead and a full list of our food & drink options in Windsor Great Park can be found here.

Operational works
Guards Polo Club

Pitch maintenance

A large area of Guards Polo Club will be closed off for pitch maintenance until spring 2025. Please observe the fencing and signage in place.

Crowthorne Forest and Bracknell Road

Forestry operations

Throughout February and March, the Forestry Team will be undertaking timber harvesting works in Crowthorne Forest. This is part of our ongoing forest management across the Windsor Estate which is in line with our long-term forest plan. The Forests are managed to balance economic, social, and environmental objectives and routine forest management in the form of harvesting, planting and habitat management contribute towards these objectives.

Conifer woodlands generally receive a harvesting intervention every 5-7 years. This is in the form of thinning (where 20-30% of the trees are removed from a woodland to allow the remaining trees more room to grow) or clear felling, where mature trees are felled to allow for replanting to take place. This rotation can be around 70 years in conifer woodlands.  

Crowthorne is generally a young forest with lots of areas regenerating following the forest fire in 2011. Over the coming weeks we will be focusing on thinning some of the middle and mature-aged plantations. The timber harvested will be used in construction, fencing and landscape materials, animal bedding and biomass. Because our woodlands are continually growing and are replanted following felling it makes these wood products completely sustainable. 

Wildlife habitats

This cyclical management also ensures that there is a wide range of habitats available in the Forest. There are species in Crowthorne that depend on different stages of woodland cover and our management aims to ensure that there is continuity of availability of all habitat types.

Ground nesting birds such as Woodlark, Nightjar and Dartford Warbler will use the felled areas and the young plantations, as will reptiles and insects. Young crops provide thicket conditions and provide cover for other nesting bird species and mammals. Mature trees provide roosting habitats, and an element of decaying wood will provide habitats for invertebrates. Following the fire in 2011 a network of ponds and wetlands were created throughout the Forest which are great habitats for dragonflies, amphibians, and reptiles.

Bracknell Road

Along with routine forest management activities, we will also be felling trees alongside Bracknell Road. These trees are in poor condition and are beginning to pose a risk to motorists using this busy stretch of road. They are also encroaching into the overhead powerlines running just inside the woodland causing damage to the network and regular power outages to nearby properties.

Working with SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy) and Bracknell Forest Council a road closure has been put in place to allow this work to be undertaken safely. We appreciate that this will cause disruption in the short term, but the work will bring longer term benefits in terms of road safety and improved energy supply.

Long term plans

Once the trees have been removed, the aim is to plant a new hedge in their place that can be managed for biodiversity benefits without compromising road and energy infrastructure.

We appreciate your patience while this work is being undertaken and ask that you follow signs and directions from operators as they are there to ensure your safety on the worksite. 

Swinley Forest

Forestry operations

Please note that timber harvesting operations will take place throughout Swinley Forest during the autumn and winter months of 2024 and into 2025.

These works are part of our ongoing forest management across the Windsor Estate, in line with our long-term forest plan for Swinley Forest. 

Tree Harvesting

Forestry management requires a rotation of both harvesting and planting to maintain a balance of economic, social and environmental objectives. 

At any given harvesting intervention approximately 30% of trees can be removed, with several interventions required over the lifetime of a plantation.  

At Swinley Forest, these cleared areas will be planted with a mixture of softwood and hardwood trees. 

This cycle of harvesting and planting brings with it several opportunities including: 

  • An increased of diversity of habitats and wildlife 
  • Improved tree health 
  • Improved safety and sustainability for the future 

Environmental benefits

In addition to producing sustainable timber products, our aim is to also enhance and expand areas of important ecology within Swinley Forest.  

Forest thinning opens up the tree canopy, reducing competition and allowing the retained trees more space to grow and provide more varied habitats as they mature. 

This open tree canopy also lets more sunlight and water reach the Forest floor allowing the young newly planted trees and other ground vegetation to grow and provide a wider diversity of habitats for wildlife. 

Space along the forest track network also creates natural breaks around the Forest which reduces the risk of forest fires spreading and protects the Forest for future generations to enjoy. 

These open areas around the forest track network are also an important feature that allows wildlife that thrive in the scrubby, heather-rich vegetations to travel across the Forest and populate other areas.

Visiting Swinley Forest

The work is being carried out under a felling licence issued by the Forestry Commission. 

We will do everything we can to minimise disruption during the work, but there will be times when we need to close tracks or sections of the forest to complete the works. 

  • Increased vehicle movements: Please ensure all dogs are kept under strict control at all times 
  • Safety: Follow all signs and directions while we operate around the working environment 

We apologise for any inconvenience this causes and ask for your patience and understanding during these essential works. 

Winter business hours: 29 October – 15 November 2023

The Savill Garden, Visitor Centre and Gift Shops

The Savill Garden

  • 9am – 5pm (last admission to the Garden is at 4pm)

The Savill Garden Gift Shop & Plant Centre

  • 9am – 5pm

Virginia Water Gift Shop

  • 8.30am – 4pm

Food & drink

The Savill Garden Kitchen

Monday – Friday

  • Lunch: 11.30am – 3.30pm
  • Drinks & Desserts only: 3.30pm – 4pm
  • The kitchen closes at: 4.30pm

Saturday – Sunday & Bank Holidays

  • Breakfast: 9am – 11.30am
  • Pizza only: 11.30am – 12pm
  • Lunch: 12pm – 3..30pm
  • Drinks & Desserts only: 3.30pm – 4pm
  • The kitchen closes at: 4.30pm

The Gallery Café

  • 9am – 5pm

Virginia Water Café

  • 8.30am – 4pm (last orders at 3.40pm)

Takeaway facilities

The Potting Shed

  • Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm
  • Saturday – Sunday & Bank Holidays: 8.30am – 5pm

Obelisk Lawn

  • 8.30am – 4pm

Virginia Water Lake

  • 8.30am – 4.15pm

Blacknest Gate

  • 9am – 4.15pm

The Totem Pole

  • Weekends and school holidays only: 10.30am – 4pm

The Valley Gardens

  • 9am – 4pm
Obelisk Lawn Toddler play closure – 19 February 2024

The toddler play area on Obelisk Lawn will be closed on Monday 19 February 2024 for essential maintenance.

The area will re-open on Tuesday 20 February 2024.

Car Park closures

Stag Meadow car park will be closed from the morning of Monday 25 March until the evening of Wednesday 27 March 2024 for operational reasons.

Deer rutting season

During the deer rutting season, please be reminded of the following guidance when visiting the Deer Park to keep yourself, others and the deer safe.

  • Dogs must be kept on a short lead and under close control at all times
  • Do not approach or follow the deer
  • Keep your distance – binoculars or a long range lens are essential
  • Follow any signs and the directions given by the team

In the unlikely event that you are threatened, back away slowly and try to put a barrier, such as a tree, between yourself and the animal.

Remember, deer are wild animals and we ask you to be respectful of them.

Sharing the space with horses

Please be aware of a temporary closure on the National Cycle Route Network 4 inside Stag Meadow for essential maintenance.

The area of the closure is small. When cycling along the route, cyclists should dismount and walk the few steps around the closure.

Obelisk Pond footpath closure – 30 Oct – 15 Nov

From Monday 30 October to the evening of Wednesday 15 November, the highlighted footpath around Obelisk Pond will be closed to allow for the installation of Windsor Great Park Illuminated.

During this time there will be increased vehicle movement around Obelisk Pond.

For your safety and the safety of others, please take due care when visiting the area and follow any signage and directions from the Windsor Great Park and Windsor Great Park Illuminated teams.

The footpath will re-open from Thursday 16 November.

A large black and white dog sits on grass on the left side of the picture. It the background is a person holding the reins of a black horse.
Royal Windsor Flower Show

Tickets for this event are now sold out.

Discover more

These useful links will help you make the most of your visit to Windsor Great Park. 

Windsor Great Park
Windsor Great Park

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