Windsor Great Park

As you enter Windsor Great Park you get a different view of Windsor Castle on your left. Turning right there is a spectacular sight. The Long Walk is a tree-lined avenue, stretching as far as the eye can see going dead straight. If you wish you can follow this as far as you like, although it officially finishes at the impressive Copper Horse statue, of George III on horseback.

More recently, The Long Walk was seen by millions worldwide as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle toured the park in a horse drawn carriage after their Windsor wedding. This was an iconic moment that was watched by millions worldwide and gave another glimpse into the beauty and history of Windsor.

It is here that you will be able to see the famous Red Deer; the reason for the park's creation in medieval times, for hunting.

Today there are around 500 of them, that roam freely in this Deer Park enclosure.

Just south east of the Copper Horse Statue is the Royal Royal Lodge - home of the Queen Mother until her death in 2002. The Queen Mother died at the lodge, with her daughter, Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at her side.

It is a large and elaborate cottage with thatched roofs, verandas, and a conservatory.

Just one hundred yards from the Lodge is the Royal Chapel of All Saints, a small church used by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in her lifetime, as well as other members of the Royal Family.

North of Virginia Water Lake, but still in the Great Park is The Savill Garden, one of Britain's greatest ornamental gardens. Built in the 1930s it is an everchanging seasonal display of interlocking spaces.

A range of seasonal events on offer in the past have included open air theatre performances, summer games, sculpture exhibitions and much more.

As well as the spectacular gardens themselves, there is also a large shop stocking a range of seasonal gifts as well as an outdoor plant area.

The Savill Garden Restaurant offers homemade cakes and biscuits as well as a range of light lunch meals and even a traditional roast on Sundays.

There is an admission fee to enter for most of the year, from December - February it is free.

From Windsor town centre it is about 90 minutes' walk to Virginia Water, once a Royal pleasure ground, now free to the public to wander round and enjoy the tranquil scenery. With woodland trails based around a central lake, there is also a cascade, and 100 foot totem pole, popular with children and adults alike.

A Pavilion serves hot dogs and burger as well as freshly made cakes, biscuits and hot and cold drinks.

The lake has been used for lakeside scenes in the Harry Potter and Robin Hood films. It is free to enter (parking charges apply). Virginia Water has its own railway station (15 minutes' walk further on) with trains back to London.

You could spend all day in Windsor Great Park, it is that huge, including several of the Crown's farms. It takes well over an hour at a brisk walk to walk directly across it but there are so many places of interest you will want to allow yourself plenty of time to see it properly.