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Seasonal Highlights

We have so much going on at Windsor Great Park that it’s hard to know where to begin telling you all about it. So here are just a few highlights to inspire you!

Flowering highlights in The Savill Garden and The Valley Gardens

The ever-changing landscape of Windsor Great Park is home to an incredible array of flora and wildlife, making it a great place to explore nature’s beauty, no matter what time of year. Our exotic displays and National Collections will impress even the most seasoned gardener, and also provide an abundance of subject material for photographers of all levels.

Carex oshimensis 'Everillo'

Japanese Sedge produces evergreen foliage which turns lime-green to golden yellow and makes a vibrant addition to a winter garden.

Betula utilis var. jacquemontii 'Greyswood Ghost'

Also known as Himalayan birch, a deciduous tree with the whitest bark of all birches - almost luminescent.

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Orange Peel'

A rich shade of golden orange flowers with a strongly fruity and spicy scent – displayed in the Peat beds

Salix alba var. vitellina 'Britzensis'

The Scarlet Willow, a remarkable form most conspicuous in Winter when the branches are brilliant orange-scarlet.

Sequoiadendron giganteum

Commonly known as Giant Redwoods, these trees are part of the 19th century plantings around Virginia Water lake. 

Ilex x altaclerensis 'Lawsoniana'

Generally spineless leaves, splashed with a bright yellow centre, near the Birch Lawn, The Valley Gardens.

Chimonanthus praecox ‘Trenython’  

A deliciously scented deciduous shrub known as Yellow Winter Sweet flowering in the Winter Garden.

Helleborus niger

This evergreen perennial flowering now in the Winter garden is commonly known as the Christmas Rose.

Ligularia dentata 'Desdemona'

Golden seed heads adds structure and interest on a sunny winter's day. Look in the Mediterranean Garden for other interesting types of seed head.

Flowering explained

Some flowering

Good display of flowers

Peak of display and looking spectacular

Windsor Great Park through the Seasons

The Savill Garden and The Valley Gardens are of course spectacular at any time of year, and the wider Great Park is constantly changing and offering new surprises. Not only in terms of the flowers, trees and wildlife – but also the activities to enjoy, from crisp winter woodland walks through to lazy summer picnics by the lake!

The exciting events programme offers even more reasons to return. From the ever-popular Easter Family Trail, to polo on Smith’s Lawn and open air theatre in The Savill Garden - and from our autumn Nature Trail to our Christmas celebrations.

Spring

This time of year is so exciting within the Great Park, when everything starts to come to life after the Winter. In the early days of Spring, make sure you pay a visit to Daffodil Valley in The Valley Gardens, and Spring Wood at The Savill Garden. The magnolias in The Valley Gardens are stunning, as are the flowering rhododendrons and azaleas.

This is bird nesting season, so watch out for all the young fledglings as they test out their wings, and if you are lucky, you may also see young deer taking their first tentative steps in the Deer Park. And of course, don’t forget our Easter Trail through The Savill Garden. Suitable for all ages and with a chocolate treat at the end!

Summer

As the year progresses and Spring turns into the warmer months, we’d highly recommend a visit to Summer Wood in The Savill Garden - and to The Summer Gardens, where our Rose Garden will be in full bloom. The hydrangeas on Breakheart Hill in The Valley Gardens are also unmissable, and keep an eye out for all of the different butterflies which make their home throughout the Great Park all Summer.

This time of year is of course polo season, so a trip to Guards Polo Club at Smith’s Lawn to see a tournament makes for the perfect day out. Or why not take in some fantastic open air theatre in the beautiful setting of The Savill Garden? We have many different shows available throughout the Summer, and ticket holders can also enjoy the special privilege of being able to bring a picnic into certain areas of The Savill Garden on the evening of the performance.

Autumn

After a long lazy Summer (we hope!) you might be feeling the need for some exercise, so what could be more worthwhile than running the Windsor Half Marathon, right through the Great Park, in aid of your favourite charity? Or for the slightly less energetic, and for families, our fascinating Autumn Nature Trail might be as active as it gets...

Either way, you can’t help but be amazed by the stunning Autumn Colour for which Windsor Great Park is famous – especially the maples and cherries in The Savill Garden and The Valley Gardens. At this time of year the fungi displays are also outstanding, but please remember not to pick them! And do keep watch when in the Deer Park, as it’s rutting season, which can be very exciting when our stags lock antlers.

Winter

Although the seasons start to change, our Winter Beds in The Savill Garden are still a delight to see, so it’s still worth a visit even though the colder weather is creeping in. Remember, we offer a winter entry rate to The Savill Garden in December – and while you’re there, it’s also the perfect opportunity to do some Christmas Shopping in The Savill Building.

Nearer Christmas itself you can buy gorgeous Christmas trees, which are grown on the estate, from our Forest Gate depot Find out more here. And why not make it a family day out with a visit to  see Father Christmas at LaplandUK on the wider estate near Swinley Forest? All in all, Winter is a truly magical time at Windsor Great Park.

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