Coach walk to Windsor using the Three Castles Path

This is the first of three coach walks planned for 2025 and follows the Three Castles Path into Windsor. The Long distance path is based on the journeys made by King John at the time of the Magna Carta from Windsor to Winchester via Odiham castle and is a total of 60 miles in length. The longer walk starts at Englemere Pond, which was part of the Royal Hunting Forest and is now a nature reserve and passes through Ascot racecourse, which hosts both flat and jump racing. It covers 179 acres and was founded in 1711 by Queen Anne, whose stakes are the opening race of Royal Ascot meeting. The course was commandeered during the war for gunners of the Royal Artillery. The large grandstand was opened in 2006 and can seat 30,000 with a total capacity of 80,000. From here the walk follows the path through part of the Crown Estates before entering Windsor Great Park at The Ascot Gate where the shorter walk starts. William the Conqueror was the first to build here. In 1680 The Long Walk was started by Charles II and landscaping at Virginia Water in 1753. The Copper Horse on top of Snow Hill at the end of the Long Walk as a tribute from George IV to his father George III.

In 1908 the Olympic Marathon started on The Long Walk at the gates of Windsor Castle and ended in front of the Royal Box at the then Olympic Stadium, the distance being 26.2 miles which is still the distance of the official Olympic Marathon.

Windsor itself has a variety of places to visit and shop from large high street stores to small eclectic ones hidden along side streets, the Victorian Station being transformed into  an area of eateries to suit all tastes.

If you want to visit the castle, I would advise booking ahead and leaving at least 2 hours for your visit.

Please dress appropriately for the day.

Bring food and drink for the day as there are no opportunities for refreshments until we reach Windsor itself.