Exploring Virginia Water

There are several areas of Virginia Water to explore:

Virginia Water

The picture perfect main lake area, which has Leptis Magna ruins, a waterfall, the totem pole and places to buy food, drinks and ice cream. 

The Valley Gardens

250 acres of free to enter gardens, carefully planted with flowering plants from across the world.

The Savill Garden

The Savill Garden is a smaller area of paid for gardens that often have child-friendly events. 

Adventure Play at The Savill Garden

Adventure Play is an exciting adventure play area with a collection of wooden huts, tree houses and tube slides connected by bridges, climbing tunnels, nets and ladders.  

Please note: Adventure Play has an entry fee and pre-booked time slots.

The Obelisk Lawn Play Area

If you walk past the totem pole towards The Savill Garden, you will find the free entry Obelisk Lawn Play Area. For us, this was a 10 to 15 minute scoot.

Obelisk Lawn Play Area has a sunken ship and equipment for children aged 2 to 9 years old. 

Cafes

There are several cafes scattered around all areas of Virginia Water where you can buy drinks, coffee, snacks and ice cream.

The Paths

There are lots of walking routes to choose from. Each pass different features on a variety of surfaces – some paths are flat and well surfaced, others are muddy but flat and others are rugged and bumpy.

Scooters and Bikes

Scooters and bikes are welcome around Virginia Water but only on certain paths – the permitted cycle routes. These do not include the paths from the main car park to the totem pole, waterfall or Leptis Magna ruins.

Pick Up a Map

There are clear sign posts but it is worth picking up a map. We found one in the cafe at the Valley Gardens car park and you can also find one on the Windsor Great Park website.

Nearest Town: Virginia Water
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU25 4QF

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or try one of the many places to buy food – the cafe next to Virginia Water car park or The Savill Garden car park, mobile cafes scattered across the gardens or nearby pubs.
Facilities: Cafes, picnic areas, ice creams, snacks, toilets, accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Several large car parks –  Virginia Water (GU25 4QF), Virginia Water South (SL5 7SB), Valley Gardens (TW20 0UJ – but Members and Friends only) and The Savill Garden (also TW20 0UJ). All of these are very busy during warm weather. 
Cost of Parking: From £3.10 per hour.

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies and other insects, lots and lots of ducks and other water birds.

Information Written: November 2016
Information Checked: September 2023

Our visit to Virginia Water Lake and the Valley Gardens in Windsor Great Park is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Savill Gardens 

The Savill Garden highlights change as the year goes on so check the Savill Garden website to plan your visit. 

The gardens were wonderfully wintry when we visited. We saw ducks skating on frozen ponds, hidden gardens glazed in frost and a snowman in the glasshouse.

The Trails

The Savill Garden often has themed trails. Our favourite so far has been the Gingerbread Trail. 

We bought a trail guide for £2.50 and wandered through frozen gardens searching for twelve colourful and festively named gingerbread men and women.

Where to Eat

You can either eat in the Savill Garden Kitchen or the cafe at the Obelisk, which is about a five minute walk Obelisk Lawn Play Area. There are also picnic tables there. 

Walking in Virginia Water

The Savill Garden is next to the Valley Gardens, Virginia Water Lake and the Totem Pole.  We scooted to the Totem Pole in about 15 minutes. 

Obelisk Lawn Play Area

Obelisk Lawn Play Area is a couple of minutes walk from the Savill Garden.  It is a wooden play area with a shipwreck theme and all things nautical – ships, rigging, sand and a crow’s nest.

Adventure Play at The Savill Garden

Adventure Play is an exciting adventure play area with a collection of wooden huts, tree houses and tube slides connected by bridges, climbing tunnels, nets and ladders.  

Please note: Adventure Play has a separate entry fee and pre-booked time slots.

Nearest Town: Virginia Water and Englefield Green
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: TW20 0UJ

Opens: Various times throughout the year – please check their website. 

Adult Cost Range: Various from £7.95 
Child Cost Range: Various from £3.50 
Free if: Under 5 years old

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or try one of the many places to buy food – The Savill Garden Kitchen or a mobile cafe by the Obelisk Lawn Play Area.
Facilities: Cafes, picnic areas, ice creams, snacks, toilets, accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Large car park but this can be very busy.  
Cost of Parking: From £3 per hour.

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies and other insects, lots and lots of ducks and other water birds.

Information Written: December 2016
Information Checked: June 2022

Our visit to the Savill Garden in Virginia Water is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Tumblestone Hollow Adventure Play Area

The equipment is said to be for children up to around 12 years old that includes:

• a huge, two-storey wooden village with climbing walls, nets, tunnels, ladders, rope bridges, wobbly bridges, balancing logs and a fireman’s pole
• two tube slides 
• a wooden climbing frame with nets and a balancing rope course
• toddler swings 
• swings 

• a treehouse with a slide, rope ladder and rope course 
• a zip wire
• animal springers 
• a spinning bowl 
• a tunnel through a hill
• a wide slide with a hut, net and ladder 

• a sand play area with chutes and pulleys 
• a water play area with a water pump, channels you can direct and a waterwheel
• a basket swing 
• picnic tables
• a covered seating area.

The Legend of Tumblestone Hollow

The adventure play area has been designed around a story book called The Legend of Tumblestone Hollow written by Amy Sparkes and illustrated by Steve Pearce. This book is available to buy at the Visitors’ Centre and will eventually be sold on Amazon so you can read it before you visit. 

The story is about a magical rock called the Glimmerstone and how it came to be at Tumblestone Hollow. 

Stonor Park

Tumblestone Hollow is in the grounds of Stonor Park, an old family house in the Chiltern Hills. 

The surrounding parkland has manicured gardens, woodland, a view point, an ancient stone circle and a herd of deer we encountered on the drive in. 

The Cafes

There are two cafes – one in the Visitors’ Centre and another in the adventure play area that is called The Rumble Hut and offers pizzas cooked in a wood fired pizza oven (but is only open on busy days).

Nearest Town: Henley-on-Thames
County: Oxfordshire
Nearest Postcode: RG9 6HF

Opens: Various times throughout the year – please check their website. 

Adult Cost Range: Various depending on when you go but generally between £5 to £9.99 
Child Cost Range: Various depending on when you go but generally between £5 to £9.99 
Free if: Under 92 cm tall

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at one of the cafes. 
Facilities: Cafes, snacks, ice cream, picnic area, toilets, accessible toilets. 

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly. 

Parking: There is a car with lots of spaces.
Cost of Parking: Free with an entry ticket.

Wildlife You Might See: Deer, insects and red kites.

Information Written: June 2022

Our visit to Tumblestone Hollow at Stonor Park, near Henley, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Furzey Gardens Fairy Doors

The fairies could be anywhere. We found them hiding in tree stumps, amongst flowers and under bridges. 

To date we have only found about half of the fairy doors scattered throughout the gardens!

How Many Will You Find?

To add to the excitement, there are so many hidden fairy doors that you are unlikely to find them all! Some are marked on the map but many are not, making each visit a fresh adventure.

Did you spot the fairy door in the main photo?

How about now?

There it is – it’s Ken’s Tiny Potting Shed!

Can You Guess Who Lives Inside?

Many doors are named, with some hinting at the type of fairy living inside – Ken’s Tiny Potting Shed, James’ Tool Shed, Beetle Bar, Tulip Treehouse, and The Little Furzey Potting Shed.

Each door is unique, many with delightful details – tiny green wellies outside, a kennel and bone, a cat flap, a potting shed with plant pots, or The Furzey Fairy Ferry Company’s door that lists sailing times and rules next to a tiny boat.

Write to the Fairies and Receive a Reply!  

Inside the Furzey Gardens’ Gift Shop, you can buy a card to send to the fairies using the Fairy Post Box. Collections are made at 2am!

Once the fairies receive your letter they will write you a response. My children loved this interaction and were thrilled to receive their letters in the post.

Gorgeous Gardens

Even without the fairy doors, Furzey Gardens would be a spectacular place to visit. Paths wind and twist around the gardens, which were bursting with character and colour.

There is a pond, bridges and a recreation of Furzey’s gold-winning Chelsea Flower Show Garden. 

The Paths

The gardens are ideal for a walk with children – not too big, with plenty of variety and different areas to explore. 

Easier Access Path

There is an easier access path marked on the map of the gardens, which you can either pick up at the gardens or download from the download the Furzey Gardens map from their website.

The Play Area

The Furzey Gardens play village has wooden equipment, including thatched huts with ladders and tunnels to explore, two swings, a wooden climbing frame and a play boat.

 

The Alpacas

There is also a wildflower conservation area grazed by alpacas.

Minstead Trust

To top it all off, Furzey Gardens is run by a charitable trust that supports and helps people with learning disabilities, some of whom work in the gardens.

Nearest Town: Lyndhurst, near Southampton and Ringwood
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO43 7GL

Adult Cost Range: Suggested donation from £8
Child Cost Range: Suggested donation from £4.50
Free if: Under 5 years

Opens: Daily

Where to Eat: Cafe and picnic areas.
Facilities: Ice creams, picnic areas, shop, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: There is a good-sized car park but it can be very busy.
Cost of Parking: Free.

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies and other insects, ponies, llamas and birds.

Information Written: April 2017
Information Checked: May 2022

Our visit to Furzey Gardens in the New Forest, near Southampton and Ringwood, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII

The story of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn is brought to life by costumed Tudor characters, panelled rooms, 

banquet halls and even a potential candidate for Henry VIII’s bed chamber.

The Grounds

The grounds boast several formal gardens, statues,

waterfalls, a lake 

and bushes shaped like chess pieces and animals. 

The Ducks

There are also plenty of marauding ducks to feed.

Two Mazes

There are two mazes to pit your wits against – a hedge maze and a water maze.

The Hedge Maze

The hedge maze is lots of fun and took us about ten minutes of wandering around to solve.

The Water Maze

The water maze is ingenious. 

Your task is to reach the centre whilst dodging the jets of water that suddenly erupt if you step on the wrong stone.

The Adventure Play Area

The fantastic Hever Castle Adventure Play Area centres around a castle called Tudor Towers. 

It has tube slides, turrets, bridges and poles. 

It also has a secret passage, maze and musical instruments.

The castle is surrounded by more play equipment, including slides, swings, tunnels and an obstacle course. 

Nearest Town: Hever, near Tonbridge
County: Kent
Nearest Postcode: TN8 7NG

Adult Cost Range: Various 
Child Cost Range: Various
Free if: Under 5 years or entry to the gardens can be free with RHS membership at set times.

Opens: Daily from March to December.

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the cafe.
Facilities: Picnic area, cafe, snacks, barbecues, toilets and accessible toilets. 

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: The castle is a short walk from the car park, which has lots of spaces.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks and swans.

Information Written: May 2016
Information Checked: September 2021

Our visit to Hever Castle in Hever, near Tonbridge, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Stansted Park 

Stansted Park has about 1,200 acres of parkland, with ancient woodland and an arboretum of beautiful, mature trees for you to explore.  

We didn’t visit the house but understand it has state rooms and servants’ quarters laid out as if they were still in use.

You only pay for the attractions you actually use. 

The play area, arboretum and parkland are all free but the house, the maze and the railway all have individual costs. 

Stansted Park Miniature Railway

The miniature railway rumbles around the gardens

past engine sheds and back to the cute little station, complete with signals, water tower and platform. 

The trains only run at certain times and on certain days so be sure to check the website before you go. 

Stansted Park Play Area

Inside the Walled Garden is The Stansted Park Play Area, a well equipped play area where the children can play while you eat. It has swings, slides, rope bridges and a multiplay. 

The Hedge Maze

The circular, hedge maze is a family attraction. It opens at various times of the year, weather permitting, so double-check before you visit. 

Nearest Town: Havant, near Portsmouth
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: PO9 6DX

Adult Cost Range: £10 to £14.99
Child Cost Range: £5 to £9.99
Free if: Parkland – free. Railway – free if under 2. House – under 2s are free at all times; under 16s are free when visiting during the holidays.

Opens: Various – the parkland is open daily; the railway and the house only open at certain times. Please check their website for details.

Where to Eat: A shop, a tearoom or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Snacks, ice cream, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: There is a large car park.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: October 2018

Our visit to Stansted Park, the Stansted Park Miniature Railway and the Stansted Park Play Area in Havant, near Portsmouth, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Stourhead

In Stourhead’s gardens, you find your eyes skipping between the sweeping lawns, contrasting trees, beautiful blue-green lake and unusual stone features. It’s a spectacular combination. 

The gardens are punctuated by stone features, including bridges, temples, a rock arch, a dam and a grotto.

You may recognise The Temple of Apollo as the location for Mr Darcy’s first proposal to Lizzie in the 2005 film of Pride and Prejudice.

The Grotto

My children loved exploring the Grotto. 

We discovered two statues, one of which is said to be the source of the River Stour. 

Nearest Town: Wincanton, near Yeovil
County: Wiltshire
Nearest Postcode: BA12 6QD

Adult Cost Range: £15 to £19.99
Child Cost Range: £5 to £9.99
Free if: Under 5 years or for National Trust members.

Opens: Daily but check before you go to make sure everything you want to visit is open.

Where to Eat: The restaurant, the Spread Eagle pub or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Snacks, ice cream, shop, cafe, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: A full day.
Buggies: Buggy friendly but some of the paths are steep.

Parking: There is a large car park.
Cost of Parking: £4 per day but free for National Trust members. 

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, birds and insects.

Information Written: May 2018

Our visit to Stourhead in Wincanton, near Yeovil, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Nymans’ Gardens

The colourful gardens have some magical touches – sculpted bushes children can slip in and out of…

and a Pinetum full of huge pine trees you can play hide and seek amongst and then make hidden dens under.

Others are littered with flowers, have picturesque views or have that secret garden feel!

The Balance Course

Near to the Pinetum is a natural play area with a balance course made of tree stumps. 

The Woodland

We did not have time to walk through any of the woodlands but there is an Arboretum walk, a lake, cascades, a meadow and a 50 metre tall giant redwood.

These woodland walks appear to be on different levels, connected by slopes and in some cases stairs.

The Paths

The majority of the paths around the house are easy to walk on and I used an ordinary buggy without any problems. 

Nearest Town: Handcross, near Crawley
County: West Sussex
Nearest Postcode: RH17 6EB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Adult Cost Range: From £15
Child Cost Range: From £7.50
Free if: Under 5 or with National Trust membership

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the cafe. 
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice creams, picnic area, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: About three hours.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: There is a car park that can be very busy. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Insects and birds.

Information Written: March 2017

Our visit to Nymans in Handcross, near Crawley, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Dinosaurs

We found the rest of the statues on the other side of the lake. They were fascinating – huge, charismatic, and exciting.

Iguanodons ate ferns, deer towered above us, ichthyosaurs hauled themselves out of the water, and one particular plesiosaur stared menacingly at us across the lake as if sizing up a potential meal. 

Research Before You Visit

The condition of the statues varies – some have been restored, others are crumbling or in the middle of being restored. 

There wasn’t much information available so do some online research before you go if you are interested in dinosaurs or the history of the statues.

Guess Work

Don’t expect to see statues that show scientifically accurate dinosaurs. The statues were finished in 1854 and were the Victorians’ best guess of how dinosaurs would have looked. 

Some are very inaccurate – the Iguanadon’s nose horn should actually be its thumb! We found the inaccuracy added to the fun – this is not a place that takes itself too seriously.

Crystal Palace Park

As well as crawling with dinosaurs, Crystal Palace Park also has a maze, a gorilla statue, a small wooded area, a large sports centre, terraced gardens with statues of sphinxes, boat hire, a cafe, and a small farm with free entry. 

The boat hire and farm are not open every day so please check the website for details.

The Wildlife

We were amazed by how much there is to do in the park. We saw plenty of wildlife – ducks, geese, a grey heron, lots of parakeets as well as some of the boldest squirrels we have ever encountered.

Crystal Palace Dinosaur Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• a sand pit with a dinosaur egg to climb in and dinosaur bones to climb on
• two dinosaurs to climb on
• a dinosaur multiplay unit
• toddler swings
• swings
• a roundabout
• two slides
• a balance beam. 

Nearest Town: Crystal Palace, London
County: Greater London
Nearest Postcode: SE20 8DT

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Eat at the cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice cream, picnic area, toilets, accessible toilets. 

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy-friendly.

Parking: There are several different car parks to choose from. We parked easily and for free on Thicket Road (SE20 8DT). You can also try the Crystal Palace Park car park, which is located just off Thicket Road near the junction with the A234.  There were some spaces but not many. There is another larger car park at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre (SE19 2BB).  All of these car parks are free.
Cost of Parking: Free and there is free parking on nearby roads too.

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, geese, Indian runner ducks, parakeets and squirrels.

Information Written: January 2017

Our visit to Crystal Palace Park in Bromley, London, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

South Hill Park

The grounds divide into two areas – South Lake and North Lake. Each has a lake, marked trails, an orienteering course, and play areas.

South Hill Park South Lake

A walk around South Lake’s landscaped gardens takes you past the lake with its fountain, bridge, and ducks

and through a wooded area with an amphitheatre, story telling seat, and hidden pet cemetery.

South Lake has two play areas: the Toddlers’ Play Area with its musical stepping stones,

and the fun Hedgehog Park with its long slide.

South Hill Park North Lake

North Lake is wilder, with woodland, a long lake, a boardwalk over a small marsh 

and South Hill Road Play Area, a large adventure play area with zip wires, climbing nets and a balance course.

Orienteering

There are two orienteering courses available at South Hill Park. One leads you around South Lake and the other around North Lake.

Visit South Hill Park’s website to find these maps and answers.

Arts Venue

The house itself is now an arts venue with sculptures, a gallery, the Wilde Theatre, a cinema and a cafe. It hosts child friendly classes, and child friendly theatre productions.

Nearest Town: Bracknell
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG12 7PA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat in the cafe. 
Facilities: Picnic tables, cafe, snacks, ice cream, toilets, accessible toilets. 

How Long We Spent There: 2.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: There is a good-sized car park.
Cost of Parking: Free

Animals You Might See: Ducks, swans, geese, squirrels and herons.

Information Written: November 2016

Our visit to South Hill Park in Bracknell is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

RHS Gardens Wisley

The gardens are magnificent and full of colour and life, whatever the season. 

We love the maze-like Alpine Meadow  

The Glasshouse

The Glasshouse conceals a tropical world complete with a jungle canopy, desert 

It also has a waterfall, a cave with an exhibition about plants and roots and even hosts free-flying butterflies during the winter. 

The Gardens

Wisley’s grounds are extensive so make sure you pick up a map. 

The many walking routes lead past orchards, view points, hillside gardens, formal gardens, wild gardens

several ponds, and small waterfalls as well as a walled garden with a lily pond and fountain.  

There are even some ducks. 

Outdoor Play Areas

There are a couple of places to play – a den building area

and a wild playground with an obstacle course, and bridge and rope climbing frames.

Cafes and an Indoor Play Area

Scattered around the gardens are several picnic areas and cafes. 

The Glasshouse Cafe has a small, indoor soft play area, although this is not in the main part of the cafe and we have never managed to find a free table there.

Christmas Glow

During the Christmas season, Wisley lights up the night with Wisley’s Christmas Glow.

Huge lanterns light your path around the gardens.

Festive lights illuminate plants inside

and outside.

Nearest Town: Pyrford, near Woking and Cobham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU23 6QB

Adult Cost Range: £15 to £19.99
Child Cost Range: £5 to £9.99
Free if: Under 5 or with RHS membership

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: Picnic area, cafe, snacks, ice creams, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: There is a large car park but it can become very busy. There are spaces for people with children near the entrance to the gardens.  
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, water birds, squirrels, birds and fish.

Information Written: August 2016

Our visit to RHS Garden Wisley in Pyrford, near Woking and Cobham, is summarised below and based on free entry with an RHS membership card. You can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Walled Gardens

We investigated the walled gardens first. The path leads you along winding paths edged with gorgeous flowers and bushes. 

These paths are the perfect size for little ones to run up and down but there are water features and fountains hidden around a few of the corners so you have to be careful.

The Moat

On the edge of the gardens, there is a small lawn with a slope hiding a sheer drop into the moat. 

The Lake

The lake is a ten minute walk from the house and walled gardens. We enjoyed a walk surrounded by waterbirds, flowers and parkland. Then, to our surprise, a beautiful deer ran across our path.

The House

You can also visit the house but we did not do this. It was used as a filming location, including for The Crown. 

RHS Membership

At the time of writing, the Loseley Park gardens are free to visit with RHS membership. We would visit again but only when entry was free.  

Nearest Town: Guildford
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU3 1HS

Opens: Various times throughout the year and during the week. Please check their website before planning your visit.

Adult Cost Range: £10 to £14.99
Child Cost Range: £0 to £4.99
Free if: Under 5 or with RHS membership at set times.

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or buy food from the cafe.
Facilities: Cafe, toilets, accessible toilets, picnic area, snacks, ice creams.

How Long We Spent There: 1.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Car park by the play area.
Cost of Parking: Free

Animals You Might See: Geese, Canada geese, ducks and butterflies.

Information Written: May 2016

Our visit to Loseley Park in Guildford is summarised below on the basis of free entry with RHS membership. You can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.