Walks from Ascot

Longer heath-and-forest crossing on the Three Castles Path, past Englemere Pond, Swinley Park forest tracks and Bagshot Heath. Some of east Berkshire's finest open country.

Englemere Pond: A nature reserve centred on a heathland pond near Ascot, rich in dragonflies and wetland plants.

Lunch: Café at The Lookout, and the Coral Reef waterpark, both roughly midway.

Warnings: Crossing the A322 bridge on a busy, narrow road is the most challenging part.

Walk details: Blackwater Valley Nature Walks (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Mostly quiet residential streets, narrow lanes and field footpaths and with some stretches on roads that lack a pavement. Largely under tree cover.

Time: 4h30–9h

Warnings: Braziers Lane has no pavement and only a narrow road edge; make yourself visible to drivers, and reflective clothing helps in poor light.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Good view of The Long Walk with Windsor Castle in the distance. A route mainly following the Three Castles Path through Windsor Great Park, with a short urban walk at Ascot, footpaths and bridleways that can be muddy with exposed roots, wide and smooth tarmac roads through the park itself. The park is quite hilly. Follows the Three Castles Path. The path near the George III statue is often closed during winter, with an easy road detour available. Public toilets and coffee places in Ascot.

The Windsor Great Park: A vast royal deer park south of Windsor Castle, crossed by the Long Walk.

Time: 3h–6h

Lunch: Few benches and no facilities within Windsor Great Park; amenities at Ascot.

Warnings: Getting from the Crown Estate into Windsor Great Park involves a busy road crossing with no lights or pedestrian crossing. A footpath near the George III statue is sometimes closed in winter due to poor ground conditions, requiring a detour; park roads are shared with cars, buses, horses and cyclists.

Walk details: Slow Ways.