The Long Walk

Three miles of riverside path that cuts through proper woodland, The Long Walk is one of those places that rewards you for actually putting the effort in. Starting near Windsor, it winds alongside the Thames with enough tree cover to make you forget you're close to town - which is the whole point, really.

You'll see why walkers come back here repeatedly. The path stays wide enough for families with pushchairs, though it can get muddy after rain, so proper shoes matter. The real appeal is the sheer peacefulness of it - no gift shops, no entrance fees, just trees and water and the occasional heron if you're lucky enough. Allow a solid hour minimum, more if you're the type who stops to look at things.

Historically minded visitors will appreciate that you're walking through grounds that have been in use for centuries, though there's nothing dramatic to look at - it's the atmosphere that counts here. Children usually manage the first half without complaint; the second half loses a few of them to "are we nearly there yet" fatigue.

If you're staying at Queens Acre or Hampshire Park Homes, it's genuinely close enough for a morning sortie. Even from Amerden or Cranbourne Hall, it's only a short drive. Best visited early morning when the light filters through properly and you'll have it mostly to yourself. Winter's actually excellent here - less humid, fewer insects, better visibility through the bare branches. Frankly, if you're basing yourself anywhere near Windsor, you'd be daft not to give it a go.