Walks from Windsor and Eton Central

Long walk.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Windsor Castle

Time: 4h–8h30

Walk details: Railwalks.

An easy, flat route that essentially follows the Thames Path, with a short amount of street walking to reach the towpath. No stiles, plenty of benches; the surface alternates between grass and hard-packed soil or gravel and concrete or tarmac. A few narrow points and a couple of stretches that cut through gardens. Essentially follows the Thames Path National Trail.

Waterway: nine tenths along the River Thames.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Time: 3h–6h30

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.

Parkland, lake shores, ornamental gardens, light woodland, deer park, tree-lined avenue and historic town streets.

Time: 4h

Source: A variant of Sunningdale to Windsor – the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).