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 Chilworth Gunpowder Mills

The Gunpowder Mills were established in 1626 by The East India Company and initially built by a dam near Blacksmith Lane.

By the 1700s there were 18 watermills using huge millstones to grind gunpowder, sulphur and charcoal.

These mills were an important manufacturer and supplier of gunpowder but were abandoned in 1920 and left to go to ruin.

Further details of the history of the Gunpowder Mills can be found on the Albury History Society’s website or pick up a leaflet at the entrance to the Gunpowder Mills.

The Ruins

We started the trail at Blacksmith Lane (see below details on parking) and saw the mill pond and West Lodge, where workers were checked in.

We then walked past the remains of the Corning House, which sadly exploded in 1901, killing 6 men.

Next along the trail are the ruins of an Incorporating Mill, with a fallen chimney and runner stones that were their sides to provide protection in the event of a blast.

There are also two bridges – a modern footbridge (that takes you to Vera’s Lane – see below notes on parking) and a swing bridge used by trams carrying coal to the mills from Chilworth and Albury railway stations.

At the end of the path we found the most complete Gunpowder Mill buildings. There are steps down into these ruins but we did not venture in very far as the floor was very uneven.

Paddling in the River Tillingbourne

The River Tillingbourne runs through this area. It is shallow with a log bridge and a large wooden snail sculpture.

It is perfect for a splash and a paddle. We waded a little way along the river and found a tree that has been made an island by the flowing water.

The Picnic Area

In a clearing in the centre of the woods we found a good sized picnic area.

The Paths

The paths around the Gunpowder Mills were generally earth and grass, which was dry when we visited but may well become muddy after rain.

We found the main paths to be generally wide and flat and we used our all terrain double buggy on them without any problems.

Keep to the Paths

We only walked on the paths because the leaflets and information boards warn that you enter this site at your own risk, you should not climb on the buildings and that there are hidden pits, water features and boggy areas around the grounds.

Chilworth Heritage Trail

If you fancy a longer walk then have a look at the Chilworth Heritage Trail, which starts and ends on Vera’s Path and leads past the ruins and ponds, up to St Martha’s Hill and then back down to the Gunpowder Mills.

Nearest Town: Chilworth, near Guildford
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU4 8NP or GU4 8NF

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: Picnic area.

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: We used an all terrain buggy but some of the paths can be narrow.

Parking: There are a couple of parking spaces on Blacksmith Lane (GU4 8NF) opposite the entrance to the Gunpowder Mills, which is next to the little bridge. You can also park on the roadside next to Chilworth C of E Infant School (Dorking Road – GU4 8NP) from where there is a footpath, called Vera’s Path, that leads you to the Gunpowder Mills (see photo).
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Frogs, toads, butterflies, insects and birds.

Information Written: August 2017
Information Checked: September 2023

Our visit to the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills in Chilworth, near Guildford, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Newark Lock

This shady lock is a good place to see Newark Priory ruins and, if you are lucky, see the lock in action…

…which took about 20 minutes from start to finish.

Newark Lock is about a five to ten minute walk from the car park, along a path that has a fairly smooth surface.   

Newark Priory Ruins

Newark Priory was built in the 12th century and dissolved by Henry VIII in 1539. 

You cannot visit the ruins but they can be seen from the footpath at Newark Lock.  The best time to get a clear view of the Priory is when the trees have lost their leaves. 

Papercourt Lock

At Papercourt Lock there is a lock keeper’s cottage, a tumbling bay waterfall and moored boats. 

This lock is a little further – about fifteen to twenty minutes from the car park, through water meadows on a path that is not surfaced.  

Finding the Locks

Newark Lane car park is next to the river. From here you can either turn right and walk along the river towards Newark Lock or walk left towards Papercourt Lock.  

Both paths can become muddy so be sure to bring wellies if it’s been raining.

Nearest Town: Pyrford, near Woking
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU23 6DP

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: Choose a buggy that can handle bumps, grass and mud.

Parking: There is a small car park on Newark Lane (GU23 6DP) next to the road bridge.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Herons, ducks, swans, cows, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: May 2022

Our visit to Newark Priory, Newark Lock and Papercourt Lock near Woking is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Waverley Abbey

Founded by the Bishop of Winchester in 1128, Waverley Abbey was a Cistercian abbey until it was dissolved in 1536 by Henry VIII.  

Some of the buildings are remarkably well preserved. 

One has columns and vaulted ceilings that are still intact. 

The grass is mown to give an idea of the floor plan.

The Paths

Waverley Abbey is about a five to ten minute walk from the car park. 

The ruins are in a grassy field, which can be uneven in places. 

Nearest Town: near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU9 8EP

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour
Buggies: Choose a buggy that can handle grass.

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

Wildlife You Might See: Herons, ducks, swans and butterflies.

Information Written: August 2016
Information Checked: November 2021

Our visit to Waverley Abbey in Farnham 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.

Odiham Castle

Odiham Castle is one of only three fortresses built by King John. When construction finished in 1214, it boasted an octagonal keep, walls finished in stone, solid wooden doors, a lead covered roof and protection from the River Whitewater, moats, banks and fences.

The Ruins of King John’s Castle

Despite all this, by 1605 the castle lay in ruins. Today all that remains are the flint cores of the walls.

You cannot climb on these but can walk around the ruins and go inside the keep, where there are information boards about the castle and Magna Carta.

Basingstoke Canal 

The castle can be reached on foot by walking along the beautiful Basingstoke Canal towpath, either from North Warnborough or Greywell village (see below for details). 

We walked from Greywell and saw ducks, moorhens, grey herons and a huge, white bird that turned out to be a great white egret. 

Henry the Forgetful

There is a story trail available to download called “The Story of Henry The Forgetful”, which you can follow from Greywell village to Odiham Castle and back again.

You can read about our walk along the Odiham Castle Story Trail.

The Paths

The Basingstoke Canal tow path is generally wide and level but can be quite stoney. There are no barriers between the path and the canal.

Where to Park

I’ve found two options for parking, either Tunnel Lane in North Warnborough (RG29 1HQ) or Greywell village (RG29 1BY). 

From Tunnel Lane

The Basingstoke Canal goes across Tunnel Lane so is easy to find. Walk along the path with the canal on your left and you will arrive at King John’s Castle.

From Greywell Village

To reach the towpath from Greywell village, take the footpath that starts on Deptford Lane (RG29 1BS), which is the road opposite the Fox and Goose pub.

This path is narrow and there is a short hill down to the towpath but this did not cause us a problem and our double buggy went through without issue. Please note that there are no pavements on either Deptford Lane or Hook Road.

Hampshire County Council’s Story Trails

These are essentially walks with interactive stories to read along the way, as told by a cute character called the Story Snail. Each Story Trail is about one mile long and is divided into numbered sections that you read out as you reach number markers along the trail.

Finding a Copy of the Story Trail

To follow the Story Trail you need a free pack that you can either borrow from a specified place (with a Hampshire Library card and a £20 returnable deposit) or download a story trail from the internet in written or audio form.  

Each pack has a map to follow and the trail itself is marked with arrows and/or pictures of the Story Snail.

Nearest Town: Odiham, near Basingstoke and Fleet
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: RG29 1HQ or RG29 1BY (see above).

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket. 
Facilities: Picnic table.

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

Parking: I’ve found two options for parking, either Tunnel Lane in North Warnborough (RG29 1HQ) or Greywell village (RG29 1BY). Please see above for full details of parking. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, moorhens, herons, birds and insects. 

Information Written: February 2017

Our visit to Odiham Caste in Odiham, near Basingstoke and Fleet, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.