Information
Landmark: Long WalkCity: Windsor
Country: United Kingdom
Continent: Europe
Long Walk, Windsor, United Kingdom, Europe
Overview
The Long Walk, a grand tree-lined avenue in Windsor Great Park, runs from the gates of Windsor Castle all the way to the Copper Horse statue, a striking landmark gleaming on its hilltop.It’s one of Windsor’s best-known landmarks, with sweeping views of the castle and the rolling green hills beyond.The Long Walk stretches about 2.64 miles (4.25 km) through Windsor Great Park, beginning at the Windsor Castle gates and ending at the Copper Horse statue atop Snow Hill, where you can see the bronze glint in the sun.King Charles II ordered it laid out in the late 1600s as part of his grand plans to landscape the park.The Long Walk was created as a grand, formal approach to Windsor Castle, giving visitors a sweeping view of its towers rising above the green slopes.A double row of towering elms-mixed with oak and horse chestnut-frames the path, forming a dramatic, tree-lined avenue that draws the eye straight to the castle.Planted in the 18th century, the trees have spread into a sweeping green canopy that shades the Long Walk and deepens its grandeur.From the start of the path, Windsor Castle sits perfectly framed at the far end, growing larger with each step until it rises before you in dramatic, stone-gray majesty.On bright days, the castle rises against rolling green fields, creating one of England’s most iconic views.At the far end of the Long Walk, the bronze Copper Horse-King George III astride his steed-stands watch in the sunlight.In 1831, sculptor Richard Westmacott finished the statue and set it high on Snow Hill, where it stands marking the end of the Long Walk beneath a wide sweep of sky.Perched high on Snow Hill, one of Windsor Great Park’s tallest spots, the Copper Horse stands as a famous landmark, where you can take in sweeping views of the park and the countryside beyond.From this spot, you can take in sweeping views of Windsor Great Park, the Thames Valley, and the rooftops of Windsor itself.For centuries, the British royal family has strolled the Long Walk, its gravel crunching softly underfoot.Royal parades have rolled through here, along with grand processions and formal ceremonies.The royal family often strolls, rides horses, and enjoys other pastimes across the sweeping lawns of Windsor Great Park.Over the years, the Long Walk has seen its share of history-royal ceremonies, cheering crowds, and celebrations that filled the air with music.Royal processions have traveled this route for centuries, and it still plays a vital role in royal life.The Long Walk, stretching toward Windsor Castle under a canopy of oak and chestnut trees, stands as a symbol of the bond between the castle and the wild beauty of Windsor Great Park.For the royal family, this path carries deep ceremonial meaning as well as personal memories, and its sweeping layout shows off the monarchy’s wealth, status, and power.Open all year, the Long Walk invites visitors to wander beneath rows of ancient trees, breathe in the crisp air, and take in the striking view of Windsor Castle rising in the distance.Tourists and locals alike flock to the Long Walk, where you might see cyclists whir past, riders on horseback clip-clop along the path, and families spread blankets for a quiet picnic under the trees.With its wide, open views and sweeping greenery, it’s the perfect place for a game of frisbee or a picnic under the trees.The Long Walk also comes alive with special events, especially during major royal occasions or public holidays.The Long Walk has long drawn crowds for big royal occasions-think the bustle of Royal Ascot or the pageantry of a wedding procession-and it winds through Windsor Great Park, where ancient oaks shelter deer and songbirds alike.Deer slip between the trees, birds call from the branches, and the park shelters countless other wild creatures.Tall oaks and elms line the Long Walk, sheltering birds and squirrels, while the paths invite nature lovers to wander.With each season, the view shifts-spring blossoms, golden autumn leaves, and quiet winter frost.In spring and summer, the trees burst with deep green leaves, and by autumn, the avenue lies under a soft carpet of gold.In winter, the path feels still and hushed, especially under a soft blanket of snow.The Long Walk isn’t just a treasured piece of Windsor’s history-it’s a scenic, peaceful place where locals stroll and visitors linger.With its royal ties, rich history, and sweeping views of oak-lined paths, the Long Walk stands as one of the most cherished and unmistakable landmarks in Windsor Great Park.From here, you can see Windsor Castle rising above the trees, with rolling green fields stretching beyond, and it still draws people looking to relax, play, or simply sit and think.
