Visitor updates
As an operational Estate, it is sometimes necessary to close parts of Windsor Great Park. Please check the updates below before you travel and, if you are unfamiliar with Windsor Great Park, download the Park map & guide.
Closures which can occasionally happen on the day are communicated on our Social Media channels. If you are not already following us, you can do so here:
Before you visit, download or bookmark the Windsor Great Park map & guide.
Facility closures
Please be aware that Casson Bridge is closed for essential maintenance work.
All areas of The Savill Garden remain open, however please use an alternative bridge when visiting.
During our quieter off-peak season, Adventure Play will be undergoing a seasonal refresh.
The works will create the need for temporary closure of Adventure Play during these times:
- Monday 30 September – Monday 14 October
We know this will be disappointing and thank you for your understanding.
As daylight hours begin to get shorter, the Deer Park closing times will get earlier. Please check the opening times before you travel.
The Deer Park will be closed on the following dates for operational reasons:
- Tuesday 1 October
- Wednesday 2 October
- Monday 14 October
- Tuesday 15 October
- Wednesday 23 October
Essential path repair works is taking place in the vicinity of the Leptis Magna Ruins. Paths will still be open but please follow any diversions and keep your dog/s under control using a lead.
Roadworks
Please be aware that Affinity Water will be carrying out works on Wick Lane from the morning of Wednesday 9 October to the evening of Sunday 13 October.
During this time there will be no access to The Savill Garden and Adventure Play car park from Wick Road, via the A30 – London Road.
Access to the car park is available from Wick Lane, via Kings Lane or Bishopsgate Road.
Operational works
Pitch maintenance
A large area of Guards Polo Club will be closed off for pitch maintenance until spring 2025. Please observe the fencing and signage in place.
Forestry operations
Throughout February and March, the Forestry Team will be undertaking timber harvesting works in Crowthorne Forest. This is part of our ongoing forest management across the Windsor Estate which is in line with our long-term forest plan. The Forests are managed to balance economic, social, and environmental objectives and routine forest management in the form of harvesting, planting and habitat management contribute towards these objectives.
Conifer woodlands generally receive a harvesting intervention every 5-7 years. This is in the form of thinning (where 20-30% of the trees are removed from a woodland to allow the remaining trees more room to grow) or clear felling, where mature trees are felled to allow for replanting to take place. This rotation can be around 70 years in conifer woodlands.
Crowthorne is generally a young forest with lots of areas regenerating following the forest fire in 2011. Over the coming weeks we will be focusing on thinning some of the middle and mature-aged plantations. The timber harvested will be used in construction, fencing and landscape materials, animal bedding and biomass. Because our woodlands are continually growing and are replanted following felling it makes these wood products completely sustainable.
Wildlife habitats
This cyclical management also ensures that there is a wide range of habitats available in the Forest. There are species in Crowthorne that depend on different stages of woodland cover and our management aims to ensure that there is continuity of availability of all habitat types.
Ground nesting birds such as Woodlark, Nightjar and Dartford Warbler will use the felled areas and the young plantations, as will reptiles and insects. Young crops provide thicket conditions and provide cover for other nesting bird species and mammals. Mature trees provide roosting habitats, and an element of decaying wood will provide habitats for invertebrates. Following the fire in 2011 a network of ponds and wetlands were created throughout the Forest which are great habitats for dragonflies, amphibians, and reptiles.
Bracknell Road
Along with routine forest management activities, we will also be felling trees alongside Bracknell Road. These trees are in poor condition and are beginning to pose a risk to motorists using this busy stretch of road. They are also encroaching into the overhead powerlines running just inside the woodland causing damage to the network and regular power outages to nearby properties.
Working with SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy) and Bracknell Forest Council a road closure has been put in place to allow this work to be undertaken safely. We appreciate that this will cause disruption in the short term, but the work will bring longer term benefits in terms of road safety and improved energy supply.
Long term plans
Once the trees have been removed, the aim is to plant a new hedge in their place that can be managed for biodiversity benefits without compromising road and energy infrastructure.
We appreciate your patience while this work is being undertaken and ask that you follow signs and directions from operators as they are there to ensure your safety on the worksite.
From Monday 30 October to the evening of Wednesday 15 November, the highlighted footpath around Obelisk Pond will be closed to allow for the installation of Windsor Great Park Illuminated.
During this time there will be increased vehicle movement around Obelisk Pond.
For your safety and the safety of others, please take due care when visiting the area and follow any signage and directions from the Windsor Great Park and Windsor Great Park Illuminated teams.
The footpath will re-open from Thursday 16 November.
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.
Parking
Find out more about parking and charges at Windsor Great Park.
Frequently asked questions
If you have a question and haven’t quite found the answer, please look at our frequently asked questions for more help.
