By Ferne Arfin
United Kingdom Travel Expert, about.com
Over time, the park has become considerably smaller - bit it will still take you at least an hour to walk through the park from Virginia Water, the man-made lake, to the gates of Windsor Castle. A 1,000 acre area in the southern corner of Windsor Great Park, now known as the Royal Landscape, reflects the gardening fancies, theories and project of Royals, their architects and gardeners for more than 400 years. And most of it can be visited for free.
Virginia Water
The
lake was created, by damming and flooding, in 1753. Until the creation
of reservoirs, it was the largest man-made body of water in Britain.
Planting of native and exotic woodlands around the banks of the lake has
continued steadily since the 18th century. Among the sites around this
tranquil lake is a Roman temple, a fabulous ornamental waterfall and a
100-foot Totem Pole given by British Columbia to celebrate its
centennial. Fishing, with a permit from the Royal Parks, is permitted in
parts of Virginia Water as well as other ponds in Windsor Great Park.
The Leptis Magna Ruins
The
ruins of a Roman temple, artfully arranged near Virginia Water, were
originally part of the Roman city of Leptis Magna, on the Mediterranean
near Tripoli, in Libya. How they happened to end up in a park in Surrey
is a story in itself.
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In the 17th century, the local authorities
allowed more than 600 columns from the ruins to be presented to Louis
XIV for use at Versailles and Paris. In the early 19th century, the
political balance of the region had changed and this time it was the
British Consul General who persuaded the local governor that the Prince Regent
(destined to be King George IV), should be allowed to decorate his
backyard with a few choice pieces. The locals were none too pleased -
not, as you might expect, because of the desecration of their heritage
but because they wanted the stones for building materials themselves.
The
granite and marble columns, capitals, pedestals, slabs, pieces of
cornice and pieces of sculptures eventually made it to Windsor Great
Park after a short stay at the British Museum. Recently restored and
made safe, the Leptis Magna Ruins are not an important lakeside feature.
The Landscape Gardens
The park has several blooming gardens. The Valley Garden is a flowering woodland garden,
with open grassland areas and plantings of exotic shrubs in the center
of what is known as the Royal Landscape. Native trees, including sweet
chestnut and Scots Pine thrive beside cherries, azaleas, magnolias,
sweet gums, tupelos, Asiatic rowans, maples and exotic oaks. The Valley Garden is free to visit, though there is a charge for parking.
The Savill Garden
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Saville Garden is a 35 acre ornamental garden that has no purpose other
than sheer pleasure. Originally developed in the 1930s by gardener Eric
Savill, it combines contemporary and classical garden designs with
exotic woodlands. Actually a series of interlinked and hidden gardens,
the Savill Garden is full of surprising discoveries, year round. In
summer, visitors can enjoy the scents of the Rose Garden from a
"floating" walkway. In winter, the Temperate House
has seasonal displays. Daffodils, azaleas and rhododendrons put on a
show in the spring and in the Bog Garden, one of several hidden gardens,
primula, Siberian iris and other moisture loving plants light up the
gardens. Another outstanding feature of the Savill Garden is its
collection of Champion Trees. A Champion Tree is a UK accreditation for
the tree that is the tallest or has the widest girth for its type in the
country. The Savill Garden has more than twenty, ancient Champion
Trees. Admission is charged for the Savill Garden.
The Savill Building
The
Savill Building, opened in 2006, is the entrance to the Savill Garden
but can be visited freely without entering the garden. Its unusual and
eco-friendly design includes an undulating "gridshell" roof, made of
native woods from the Crown Estates, that seems to float, unsupported. A
restaurant, for lunches and teas, overlooks the garden through floor to
ceiling glass windows. And a gift shop offers gifts and souveniors as
well as plants from the Royal Gardens.
Essentials
- Getting there: The Savill Garden parking area is 4 miles from Windsor Castle via the A308. SatNav's set for the postcode TW20 0XD will bring drivers close to the parking entrance on Wick Road. For Virginia Water, the car park is 6 miles from Windsor town center on the A30 near Junction 13 of the M25. The nearest rail stations are Egham, Windsor and Virginia Water.
- Opening hours: The park is open year round and the Savill Garden only closes on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Hours are 10a.m. to 6p.m. (restaurant to 5:30p.m.) from March 1 to October 31, and to 4:30 p.m. (restaurant to 4 p.m.) in from November 1 to February 28.
- Dogs: Dogs are welcome everyone in the park except the Savill Garden, the restaurant, and Gallery Cafe. But dogs are permitted in the rest of the Savill Building, including the shop and the terrace restaurant.
- Admission: Admission is only charged for the Savill Garden. Tickets are priced for adults, seniors, children (6-16), families and groups . Children under 6 are free.
- Visit their website
