Virginia Water Lake Circuit
Surrey
Virginia Water is the great ornamental lake at the southern tip of Windsor Great Park, begun in 1752 by William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, with the architect Henry Flitcroft, and its level shoreline path gives dogs a good, easy leg-stretch. It took almost 40 years to finish, and when it reached its present size in 1790 it was the largest man-made lake in England. A full circuit, on a well made path that runs right around the shore, is 8.4km. Along the way you pass the Cascade, a 30 foot waterfall completed in 1789; the Leptis Magna ruins, columns brought from the Roman city in Libya and set up as a folly in 1826; and a 100 foot Totem Pole beside the lake. The ground is almost level throughout, on firm paths through woodland and lawns.
This is a dog friendly walk. The Crown Estate allows dogs off lead where they respond to recall at the first call, but they must be on a lead in the car parks, around the Virginia Water Pavilion, on the Obelisk Lawn and in the Valley Gardens, and dogs are not allowed inside the Pavilion and shop. Keep dogs close on horse tracks and near the many cyclists, runners and families. There is no livestock beside the lake, and plenty of woodland shade. Water bowls are put out by the Pavilion cafe, and toilets are by the pay car park.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.4 km (5.2 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr 20 min
- Walk Type
- Lake, Historic, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Toilets, Virginia Water Pavilion cafe (dogs not allowed inside; water bowls outside) and kiosks by the main car park.
- Parking
- Virginia Water car park, London Road, Crown Estate, pay and display; Virginia Water South car park is the alternative.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Virginia Water Lake Circuit, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Virginia Water Lake Circuit dog friendly?
Yes, it scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The lake path is flat and firm, there is shade on the woodland shores, no livestock, and the Crown Estate lets well trained dogs off lead in much of the park. The caveat is how busy it gets, and the list of lead-only areas around the Pavilion, the Obelisk Lawn and the Valley Gardens.
Can dogs be off lead at Virginia Water Lake Circuit?
Yes, for much of the circuit, if your dog comes back at the first call; the Crown Estate says dogs that cannot must stay on a lead. Leads are required in the car parks, around the Virginia Water Pavilion, on the Obelisk Lawn, in the Valley Gardens and wherever signs say so. Keep dogs close on the sandy horse tracks too. No more than four dogs per walker is allowed.
What should I know before visiting Virginia Water Lake Circuit with my dog?
The Virginia Water car park off London Road is pay and display, run by the Crown Estate, and has toilets and refreshments. Dogs are not allowed in the Pavilion, the shop or the Savill Garden, but there are water bowls outside. The full lap is 8.4km, but you can shorten it by turning back at the Cascade or the Leptis Magna ruins. Weekends and holidays are very busy.
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