The Long Walk

After spending three days lounging around playing with new toys, we decided to drag the kids out of the house to explore part of Windsor Great Park today.  We started near Snow Hill, which is said to be the place that King Henry VIII waited for news of Anne Boleyn's execution. The straight path that links Snow Hill  to Windsor Castle is known as The Long Walk.  It is about 2.5 miles long and very picturesque.  The 1600  trees that line the entire path were originally planted in the 17th century during the reign of King Charles II.

Deer grazing near the start of the Long Walk

The road down the center was added in 1710 by Queen Anne so that royal carriages could travel on a smooth surface. 

So glad we had the scooters- it is a long walk!

The Long Walk is still used by royal carriages each year as they travel from the castle to Ascot for the races.  I've also been told that the Queen drives herself down the long walk on Sunday afternoons on her way to church.  Imagine strolling along with the family and being honked by Her Majesty as she makes her way down the path!

Although the sky was gray and the temperatures were low, the views along the walk were quite lovely.  I can only imagine how beautiful it must be in the Spring when everything is in bloom. 

The Long Walk is definitely something to see.  If you're not up for going by foot, you could always hire a carriage and travel the way Kings and Queens did hundreds of years ago.