Virginia Water

Originally conceived as a Royal pleasure ground, Virginia Water lies at the Southern edge of Windsor Great Park.

The 2-mile-long lake is a popular destination for families, walkers and wildlife lovers. In addition to tree-lined shores and vistas, its highlights include The Cascade and The Leptis Magna Ruins.

A full circuit of the lake is a bracing 5.25 miles, but the Cascade and Leptis Magna Ruins are a much shorter stroll.

The Lake

Virginia Water may look timeless, but 300 years ago the landscape looked very different.

Although a smaller pond did exist, the plan to flood the entire valley didn’t take shape until the 1750s. The nearby hunting grounds had been a Royal favourite since the early 1600s, and William Augustus, Park Ranger and son of King George II, saw an opportunity to create something extraordinary.

With the help of architect Henry Flitcroft, he conceived a Royal pleasure ground of beauty, pageantry and spectacle.

The project began in 1752 and took almost 40 years to complete.

Extra land was purchased. Ramparts were created. Streams were damned. Records reveal that William employed around 500 members of the ‘industrious poor’ to do the work, but it was not enough to complete the project in his lifetime. When he died in 1765, the work continued under his brother, Henry Frederick.

On 1 September 1768, a great storm destroyed the dam and emptied the lake. The resulting flood killed people and livestock in the local area and cost an estimated £9,000 worth of damage. That’s about £1,616,238 today.

Although repairs were considered, the work didn’t start until after King George III and his family returned to Windsor in the 1770s. Under the King’s patronage, more land was purchased and the dam was rebuilt to encompass an even greater area. The lake finally reached its current size in 1790 – complete with fishing temples along the shore and an ornate Chinese junk resting on the water.

In the time before reservoirs, it was the largest man-made lake in England. In fact, it was drained during World War II to avoid it ‘signposting’ Windsor Castle from the air.

Today, Virginia Water is part of our history, ecology and stewardship.
Our teams continue tending, restoring and replanting this landscape for the benefit of visitors now and in the future. Please treat the lake and environment with respect as you step into its history.

The Cascade

From the Virginia Water Pavilion, follow the signs around the lake and you will discover the 30ft (9.1m) high waterfall known as the Cascade.

Although the ‘grotto’ was part of the early plans for the area, the Cascade wasn’t completed until March 1789. Fed directly from the lake, the Cascade relies on the right water levels and looks particularly impressive after heavy rainfall.

The Leptis Magna Ruins

If you continue walking on from the Cascade, you will reach the Ruins.

Created in 1826, this folly is built from columns, pedestals and slabs recovered from the ancient Roman city of Leptis Magna, in present-day Libya.

According to UNESCO, the city flourished during the first and second centuries AD and was once one of the most beautiful in the Roman Empire. It featured imposing public monuments, a harbour, a marketplace, colonnades and an amphitheatre.

The stones were gifted to the Prince Regent (later George IV) in 1816, and spent some time in the British Museum before finding a home in Park.

The ruins were carefully restored in 2009 and are protected by a fence due to their age and delicate nature.

Virginia Water frequently asked questions

Accessibility

For our visitors with access requirements, we work with AccessAble to provide detailed access guides for popular areas of Windsor Great Park. More information and links to the AccessAble guides can be found here.

Where is Virginia Water?

The Windsor Great Park map & guide can be found here.

Can I cycle around the Lake?

We want all of our visitors to have a safe and enjoyable visit to Windsor Great Park. Cycling is not permitted on the south side of the Lake with the exception of pre-school (under 5 years) children. More information about cycling in Windsor Great Park, can be found here.

How far is the walk from Virginia Water to The Savill Garden?

The Savill Garden Visitor Centre, The Savill Garden and Adventure Play is 1.5miles/2.4km walk from Virginia Water Pavilion. More information about our most poular walks can be found here.

Discover more

These useful links will help you make the most of your visit to Windsor Great Park.

Park map & guide

View and download our Park map & guide to help you make the most of your visit to Windsor Great Park.

Find out more

Membership

With world-class gardens, stunning vistas, convenient parking and outstanding facilities, take out a membership from just £2.02 a week* to enjoy Windsor Great Park and The Savill Garden all-year round.

Find out more

Two adults speaking to a staff member in The Savill Garden Visitor Centre.

Picnics

Relax with family and friends with a picnic in Windsor Great Park. There are plenty of places to take in the fresh air and enjoy the stunning backdrop of the Obelisk Pond and Virginia Water Lake.

Find out more