Home to Guard’s Polo Club, Smith’s Lawn is best known for the prestigious polo events held here throughout the year, including the Queen’s Cup and the Cartier International Day.
Smith’s Lawn lies alongside one of the main cycling and riding routes around the Great Park. The horse track runs directly past the Prince Consort statue, which depicts Prince Albert in military uniform on horseback and is set back against the treeline. It was erected in 1887 as a gift to Queen Victoria from the Women of the British Empire.
Formed in 1955, Guard’s Polo Club is the largest in Europe, and Smith’s Lawn is a fantastic place to experience this exciting and fast-paced game. From March to September the polo lawns are an area of regular activity, with preparations for the upcoming season and matches being played across the various pitches. If you would like to combine a visit to the Park with watching a match at this regal sporting ground, please visit the Guard’s Polo website for a match schedule.
Smith’s Lawn has a varied history and was once even used as an airfield. In fact it was here that the Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) learnt to fly, and during World War II it was used as a take-off strip for various small military aircraft.
If you walk across the lawns and through Cumberland Gate, towards Cow Pond and the Deer Park, you will find Cumberland Lodge - a magnificent 17th Century building. In 1947 King George VI signed a Royal Warrant, granting the use of the Lodge for discussions aimed at the betterment of society, and today it still serves this purpose as an educational charity and conference centre.
In addition to hosting organisations such as universities and the National Health Service, the Lodge also organises its own major conference programme, hosting debates on issues of national and international significance.
Visit cumberlandlodge.ac.uk for details of the cultural events calendar hosted at Cumberland Lodge.
These useful links will help you to make the most of your visit to Windsor Great Park.
Whether you're a keen horticulturist looking for inspiration, a dog owner who wants an unrivalled variety of short and longer walks, or a family looking for a place to enjoy nature and history there is a membership type to suit you.
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