Alexandra Gardens

Alexandra Gardens sits just outside Windsor, a proper little nature reserve that's easy to miss if you're not looking for it. It's a modest spot - nowhere near as grand as some of the parkland around the Thames - but that's rather the point. You get woodland walks, a small lake, and the kind of quiet that actually feels rare this close to the M4.

Walkers will get the most from it. The paths are straightforward enough for families, though don't expect dramatic vistas or anything that'll keep toddlers entertained for hours. Birdwatchers come here seriously - the lake and trees attract decent numbers of species, especially in spring. If you're after a thirty-minute leg-stretch between other attractions, it works. If you want a full morning's activity, you might find yourself done sooner than expected.

The beauty of staying at somewhere like Queens Acre or Amerden - both within three or four miles - is that Alexandra Gardens becomes a quiet addon rather than your main event. It pairs well with Windsor town and the riverside walks, particularly if you're already committed to the area for a week. Go mid-week if you can; weekends bring the casual dog-walkers who don't tend to respect the reserve properly.

Access details are thin on the ground, but it's free and accessible year-round. Frankly, it's the sort of place that rewards a quiet morning rather than a rushed afternoon visit.