Updated on August 20, 2023
Windsor Great Park is world-famous due to its association with the royal family, but happily, you don’t have to be a member of the royal family to take your dog there for a stroll. Locals frequent the area for exercise and strolls with their families and pets, and visitors come from all over the world to see the royal palace and the town’s rich history.
With its convenient location, beautiful scenery, and abundance of dog-friendly bars and restaurants, the town itself is a canine-friendly vacation spot.
Windsor’s Great Park, with its peaceful lakes, majestic trees, and expansive fields, is the perfect setting for a wide variety of hikes. You may take your dog for a stroll in relative ease and (mostly) mud-free conditions all year round on any of the well-maintained pathways that traverse these various environments.
Walks in the country and parks
The Prolonged Hike
Many people misjudge the length of this trek because of its misleading name. You might assume the distance is less than it actually is because the trail is flat and runs in a straight line from beginning to end. Since it is 2.64 miles in length in one direction, a walk to the end and back will take you and your pet well over an hour.
It is a long walk from Windsor Castle’s main entrance to The Copper Horse, a statue of King George III mounted on his horse. This structure sits atop Snow Hill, providing a panoramic view of London and Windsor in both directions.
It’s easy to see why this path is the most well-known in Windsor; it passes through a number of important historical sites and provides a breathtaking panorama of the city and castle. Because of its excellent condition and straight layout, it is also a favourite with runners and families in search of a relaxing stroll. However, keep in mind that your canine companion will need to be leashed at all times if you plan on visiting this area.
Given the magnificent environment and royal setting, this walk has to be considered among the best in all of Windsor Great Park for dogs. Park in one of the many free lots along the A332 to see the deer park, or drive into Windsor itself and begin at the castle.
One way distance: 4.24 km
Effort Level: Low
Windsor Castle or The Copper Horse is where we’ll begin.
Paths, parkland, undulating terrain, flat ground, even ground.
Parking is free?
Windsor, The Long Walk, SL4 1BP
Fantastic Park with Deer
There are miles of trails through the park’s lush green fields that are perfect for strolling with your dog. You could just go wherever your nose takes you, but this path will take you past some of the park’s most pup-ular spots.
The park, like most of Windsor, is meticulously kept and features many well-defined trails that keep the ground flat. This long, easy walk takes you across a variety of terrain, including grassy areas, sandy trails and paved roads.
Because of the beautiful scenery and the proximity to Windsor and other points of interest, the Great Park is one of our favourite places to go walking in the UK. For instance, we once spotted a group of guards in full regalia riding along a back street on horseback. The royal town’s pomp and circumstance aren’t fully realised here, though; they’re more like an ambient echo.
The majority of park visitors enter through Cranbourne Gate, so that’s where you’ll begin your stroll. You’ll travel across part of the larger parkland and pay a visit to the Copper Horse. Within the deer park, your dog must be leashed at all times and under your direction at all times.
Time Required: 8.4Km
Effort Level: Low
Cranbourne Gate Parking Lot, Our First Stop
Paths, parks, paths, sandy beaches, level, even ground.
Parking is free?
Postal Code: SL4 2BT, A332, Windsor
Hydrology from Cranbourne to Virginia
This loop begins at Cranbourne gate once more, and it winds through woods and plantations to Virginia Water through Snow Hill, where you may see the Copper Horse and take in the scenery. Your dog will like the extended leash-free time to investigate all the new sights and scents along this route. You’ll be on more open terrain and have to climb both Leiper Hill and Primrose Hill on the way back to the starting point.
Just past the midway point of your stroll, you’ll reach the area around the Belvedere Arms below Virginia Water lake, where you can paw-se for a rest. If you’d rather not cook for your dog, there are several restaurants and bars within a short drive. The Fox and Hounds is one of our favourite places to start a stroll with our dogs in Windsor Great Park.
Distance Walked: 16.4 Kilometres
Moderate in Difficulty
Cranbourne Gate Parking Lot, Our First Stop
Paths, even slopes, parkland, trails, and flat terrain.
Parking is free?
Postal Code: SL4 2BT, A332, Windsor
Downtown Windsor
If you’ve made the trip to Windsor, you can easily fill your time with a stroll through the park and a relaxed tour of the quaint town. You may park in the centre of town, or if you’re up for a bit of a hike, you can park for free in one of the lots along the A332, then take a trip down the Long Walk, Windsor’s most famous dog walk, and into the centre of town.
Thames Street, with its mishmash of old houses, is often packed with visitors since it is so close to the castle in Windsor. The Crooked House lives up to its moniker as one of our favourite attractions in addition to the royal castle. The oldest teahouse in England is located in this peculiar structure, which is just one stop along Windsor’s heritage route.
You can take your dog along on a short walk that is full of interesting sights and information. There are plenty of bars and restaurants with outside patios where you may paw-se and enjoy some delicious refreshments. You can paw-se together in any of the historic streets. Outdoor dining options include Windsor Yards, Peascod Street, Lower Peascod Street, Guildhall Island, and High Street. A variety of eateries may be found within walking distance of the train station.
Distance Walked: 1.6Km
Effort Level: Low
Assume you are at Windsor Castle.
Paths on a level, even surface.
Disappointingly, no.
Postal Code: SL4 1NJ Windsor
A Residential Park
Between Windsor and Eton is a small patch of green called Home Park. The Crown Estate oversees this area as well, even though it isn’t technically part of the Great Park. Within town and close to the Great Park, it’s another excellent local walking area. The park has been recognised with a green flag and is a favourite spot for Windsor residents to get some fresh air, play some sports, and take their dogs for a walk.
The park is not only a lovely place to stroll, but it also offers spectacular views of the castle. You and Fido can burn off some steam and get some fresh air by visiting the nearby park to play fetch or other ball games. Another option is to simply take a stroll through the park. It’s great for taking the dog for a stroll and the kids can run about on the playground as you watch them play on the green.
Distance of 3.7 kilometres
Effort Level: Low
Location: The Home Park
Parklike, level, even fields.
Disappointingly, no.
The Home Park, Windsor, SL4 6HX Address
Nature trails from Runnymede to the Obelisk pond
The Cow Pond path is another one of our favourite dog walks in Windsor Great Park, and it’s very similar to this one. This walk, though, will take you far farther into the park’s plantations, to Obelisk pond, where you’ll do a U-turn before heading back to Runnymede. There, you can check out the magnificent obelisk that King George II had constructed in his son’s honour.
Those who have the time and energy to explore further may wish to combine this path with the one outlined for Virginia Water down below in order to make a larger loop around The Valley Gardens.
Keep your dog on a leash while strolling on the sidewalk or the road. However, the roads here are peaceful and surrounded by trees, so you may have a serene stroll. It’s definitely worthwhile, as it opens up the possibility of both a stroll through the woods and a stroll down the Thames in Runnymede.
You and Fido are welcome to stop by The Fox and Hounds for a drink before or after your walk. You’ll also be able to take a break at the charming Barley Mow tavern. You may perhaps take a snooze on the patio of Savill Garden. The garden itself is off-limits to canines, but the terrace is the doggone perfect place to take a breather with Fido as you explore this part of the park.
Distance Walked: 11.5 Kilometres
Moderate in Difficulty
Where to Begin: At the Fox and Hounds
Paths, level terrain, trails, parkland, and even descents.
Parking is free?
Englefield Green, TW20 0XU, Bishopsgate Road
Forest in Swinley
Historically a component of the royal hunting grounds, Swinley Forest is still managed by the crown despite not being part of Windsor Great Park. You and Fido will have a blast exploring this massive forest’s network of trails time and time again. In our last piece on the finest dog walks in Berkshire, we described one trip into the forest, but there are thousands of other paths and sites to explore. A hiking map of the woodland is for sale, and it features various paths ranging in length from 2 kilometres to 8.3 kilometres.
The woodland is only a short drive from Windsor, and it provides a peaceful alternative to the city’s bustling streets and tourist attractions. Many dog walkers, cyclists, and equestrians visit this area. However, it’s not uncommon to roam about here and not encounter anyone else.
This extended figure-eight walk is perfect for tiring out an active dog, since it provides many opportunities for off-leash exploration of the forest’s underbrush as well as a few challenging ascents. Since it is a figure 8, you may just take one of the loops to get back to the beginning.
You can take the youngsters to the Lookout’s pleasant cafe. Families enjoy taking strolls, riding bikes, and making forts in the nearby woods. It’s also not far to the Golden Retriever pub.
Duration of the Walk: 11.2 kilometres
Level of Difficulty: Low to Medium
The Lookout’s Discovery Centre is where we’ll begin.
Paths, paths, woods, and rocky ground.
Parking is free?
Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, RG12 7QW is the address.
Strolls Along Dorney Lake’s Waterfront
Eton College is the proud owner of the Dorney Rowing Lake. The public can visit the facility every day despite its continued use as a major rowing hub (including for the 2012 Olympics). You and your pet can stroll around the lake and the surrounding 400 acres of parkland. This is a memorable stroll around Windsor that isn’t quite in the great park, but is still close by.
With the Thames Path on one side and a national cycling path to the other, this is a great place to go for a stroll around the lake. This makes it simple to walk around the lake in either direction, or to bypass the lake altogether on a longer route.
The route we like most begins at Dorney and takes you and your dog on a lengthy loop around the lake and along the Thames trail. This is a great route because it is long enough to wear you and your dog out and has plenty of off-leash time. There are no stiles to cross, and the trail is flat and easy to navigate the whole way through. The Palmers Arms, where the walk begins and ends, is a dog-friendly establishment. After all, the bar has its own dogs and fantastic cuisine.
Trip Distance: 4.4 miles
Effort Level: Low
The Palmers Arms is where we’ll begin.
Paths, trails, towpaths, gravel, level, even, and even terrain.
Parking is free?
Dorney, Windsor, SL4 6QW, 1293 Village Road
Bovine pond
This is a brief but breathtakingly gorgeous stroll through the woods. A footbridge and oak arbour were added to the lily-filled pond during the renovations done for the Queen’s jubilee. Wonderful for strolling at any time of year, this section of the park is also typically much less crowded than others.
It’s a lovely stroll in any weather. The Japanese maples display their brilliant, flaming colours in the autumn, while the witch hazels bloom in all their mystical glory in the new year. Meanwhile, the pond’s lilies are at their most beautiful in the summer.
Your dog will adore this leash-free playtime while you take in the sights and smells of the surrounding flowers. Paths and gravel roads are in good condition throughout the Great Park. Stopping at The Fox & Hounds for a drink after a stroll is an option, though those who don’t drink there can park up the road.
Duration of a 2.6k Stroll
Effort Level: Low
Where to Begin: At the Fox and Hounds
Paths, paths, gravel, level ground, even ground, wooded area
Parking is free?
Englefield Green, TW20 0XU, Bishopsgate Road
Water in Virginia
Since this is also a part of Windsor Great Park, we couldn’t leave it out of our list of recommended places to take your dog in Surrey. There are multiple trails for you and your dog to explore, so coming back to the park is never a waste of time. After you’ve tried the picnic and stroll around the lake, you may take this longer and more adventurous stroll through the plantations and up and around the gardens.
Your dog will like this stroll through the dark woods, which is usually more peaceful than the busy side of Virginia Water. Walk west around the lake, past the Leptis Magna remains and the totem pole, and then continue on the roads that lead to the gardens and the polo fields. After a lengthy, rejuvenating walk in the beautiful, natural surroundings, you and your dog will be back where you started once you cross the bridge. Virginia Water is home to a variety of services and amenities, including a dog-friendly pub.
Distance of a 6km Walk
Effort Level: Low
Parking lot on the southern end of Virginia Water
Paths and pathways; level ground; even ground; wooded area
Disappointingly, no.
Postal Code: SL5 7SB Blacknest Road
