Discover a Waterfall and Roman Ruins at Virginia Water
With woods and paths to explore, bushes to build hideouts, scooter and cycle tracks, a gushing waterfall, some lost Roman ruins and two wooden playgrounds, Virginia Water is a magical place to visit, with or without children.
Exploring Virginia Water
There are several areas of Virginia Water to explore:
Virginia Water
The picture perfect main lake area, which has Leptis Magna ruins, a waterfall, the totem pole and places to buy food, drinks and ice cream.
The Valley Gardens
250 acres of free to enter gardens, carefully planted with flowering plants from across the world.
The Savill Garden
The Savill Garden is a smaller area of paid for gardens that often have child-friendly events.
Adventure Play at The Savill Garden
Adventure Play is an exciting adventure play area with a collection of wooden huts, tree houses and tube slides connected by bridges, climbing tunnels, nets and ladders.
Please note: Adventure Play has an entry fee and pre-booked time slots.
The Obelisk Lawn Play Area
If you walk past the totem pole towards The Savill Garden, you will find the free entry Obelisk Lawn Play Area. For us, this was a 10 to 15 minute scoot.
Obelisk Lawn Play Area has a sunken ship and equipment for children aged 2 to 9 years old.
Cafes
There are several cafes scattered around all areas of Virginia Water where you can buy drinks, coffee, snacks and ice cream.
The Paths
There are lots of walking routes to choose from. Each pass different features on a variety of surfaces – some paths are flat and well surfaced, others are muddy but flat and others are rugged and bumpy.
Scooters and Bikes
Scooters and bikes are welcome around Virginia Water but only on certain paths – the permitted cycle routes. These do not include the paths from the main car park to the totem pole, waterfall or Leptis Magna ruins.
Pick Up a Map
There are clear sign posts but it is worth picking up a map. We found one in the cafe at the Valley Gardens car park and you can also find one on the Windsor Great Park website.
Visit the Virginia Water Lake and the Valley Gardens website
Further Information
Nearest Town: Virginia Water
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU25 4QF
Opens: Daily
Cost: Free
Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or try one of the many places to buy food – the cafe next to Virginia Water car park or The Savill Garden car park, mobile cafes scattered across the gardens or nearby pubs.
Facilities: Cafes, picnic areas, ice creams, snacks, toilets, accessible toilets.
How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly
Parking: Several large car parks – Virginia Water (GU25 4QF), Virginia Water South (SL5 7SB), Valley Gardens (TW20 0UJ – but Members and Friends only) and The Savill Garden (also TW20 0UJ). All of these are very busy during warm weather.
Cost of Parking: From £3.10 per hour.
Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies and other insects, lots and lots of ducks and other water birds.
Information Written: November 2016
Information Checked: September 2023
Ratings
Our visit to Virginia Water Lake and the Valley Gardens in Windsor Great Park is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.
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Before taking part in any activities or visiting any places listed, you should make appropriate checks to ensure high quality provision, a safe environment is provided and to check all these details are up to date before you visit and/or take part. We accept no liability (to the fullest extent permitted by law) for the quality of the activities provided or places listed or for the accuracy of any information given.
