Visiting
Windsor Castle, Guildhall, Windsor Town Centre, Windsor Riverfront,
Romney Lock, Home Park, Datchet Golf Club, Jubilee River, Eton Playing
Fields, Eton College, Eton High Street
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| Length
: |
3
miles or around 5 kms |
| Time
: |
80
minutes with no stops. |
| Paths
: |
Pavement
and pedestrian areas in Windsor & Eton.
Grass/gravel/tar footpaths with several stiles.
Flat terrain |
Walk
Summary
An easy
short walk around Windsor & Eton. Although a short walk of little
more than an hour, the route passes or goes very close to many places
of interest.
You could easily take a leisurely two days as a sightseeing trip or
just an hour to walk the dog. There are plenty of refreshment stops
at the start in Windsor and at the end in Eton, but nothing in between. |
The
walk starts by providing the opportunity to visit Windsor
Castle. Unlike many of the semi-derelict castles you may come
across, Windsor Castle is complete and its walls are an impressive
sight.
The castle is the reason for Windsor the town being here, the original
settlement being at Old Windsor about 1 mile south.
When the castle was built (around 1070) the River Thames was the main
supply route, so the road in front of the castle (Thames Street) which
winds the short distance down the hill to Windsor Bridge was the original
thoroughfare.
Windsor riverfront was thus an important commercial area.
After visiting Windsor Castle, the route detours through an Olde Worlde
section of Windsor and provides the opportunity of visiting the Guildhall.
Built by Sir Christopher Wren in 1687. |
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In
those days Windsor was surrounded by forests, apart from royalty
using them for hunting there were occasions when outlaws used them
for cover when preying on travellers.
The walk then goes through Windsor Town Centre, much like any other
town centre in England. You may take opportunity to stock up on
bread to feed the birds later in the walk.
The
route descends down to Windsor Waterfront, a very pleasant place
any time of year.
In summer there are pleasure craft and river cruises, at all times
of the year there are throngs of water birds, swans being the most
noticeable.
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On
the other side of the river is Eton.
We now follow the river bank eastwards. Windsor Bridge, now pedestrian,
was once the main way out by road to London. The path continues eastwards
quickly leaving Windsor behind. The
route passes Romney Lock and Romney Island and passes through a boatyard.
The path now emerges into parkland (Home Park) a large green area
where cricket and rugby is regularly played. The Windsor Horse Show
also takes place here. There are fine distant views of Windsor Castle.
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You
eventually reach Victoria Bridge. This was the second road route opened
up out of Windsor to London. There was a ferry across the river for
many years. You cross the river into Datchet Golf Club.
Taking care to avoid the golf balls you navigate through the middle
of the golf course on a track.
At the far end of the golf course you emerge into a recent area of
change. A flood relief scheme has brought a "new" river
to the area - JUbilee River. This is the eastern end of the scheme
where it meets the Thames.
There is often good birding here.
You cross the new relief river by a footbridge and cross over into
Eton playing fields at the back of the world famous college. You can
take guided tours of the college.
The route continues down Eton High Street. Shops graduate from bookshops
and tailors for the college through olde worlde pubs, hotels and art
galleries to restaurants close to the river. You cross over Windsor
Bridge back to the start of the walk.
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