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The Long Walk was commenced by Charles
II from 1680-1685 by planting a double avenue of elm trees. The
central carriage road was added by Queen Anne in 1710. The original
planting comprised 1,652 trees placed 30 feet apart in each direction.
The width between the two inner rows was 150 feet, and overall
210 feet. It is a little less long than the three miles of popular
rumour being around 2.65 miles (2 2/3rds miles or 4.26 km) from
George IV Gateway at Windsor Castle to The Copper Horse.
In 1859 a Commission, of which the Duke of
Bedford was President, inspected the Long Walk, and recommended
("...after mature consideration...") that the old trees,
when dead, dangerous, or decayed, should be gradually replaced
by young elms between the Castle and the Double Gates, adjacent
to Park Street, but from that point to the Statue of George III
on Snow Hill, the soil proved unsuitable for elms and so there
should be a gradual substitution of oak for elm in that part
of the avenue. This plan was therefore adopted on a small scale
in 1861, when a small enclosure was planted with oaks on the
east side in the line of the Avenue. In 1879, three other enclosures
were formed on the same principle, one either side of Snow Hill,
and another opposite the plantation created in 1861.
Elms were felled and replaced with Horse Chestnut
and London Plane working north from the Copper Horse end, significant
work being undertaken in 1921 and in the early 1930s at which
time the decision was made to widen the distance between the
lines of trees on each side of the avenue.
The Long Walk in the early 1900s.
Many of the trees by this time were in need of replacement.
Edwardians take a stroll in the
Long Walk, early 1900s
Edwardian motor cars in the Long
Walk for a Garden Party
at Windsor Castle, Summer 1908
The pond in the Long Walk photographed
at the turn of the last century, around 1900. The pond no
longer exists, though we have no record of when it was filled
in.
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Views
of Windsor Bought
We are always keen
to be offered either scans (JPG) of Windsor as it was, or old
post cards, engravings or books and booklets to illustrate forthcoming
Windsor Website stories. Please contact The Editor
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Following an outbreak of elm disease at
the beginning of WWII, the avenue at the northern end was felled
in 1943, work starting on 30th August of that year, with the
entire replanting completed by February 1946. The avenue as we
know it today at the northern end dates from that time, planted
with London Plane and Horse Chestnuts. The original plan was
to decide after a period of thirty years or so which species
to retain, but during the subsequent thinning in the 1970s, the
mix was retained.
The view north towards the Castle
in 2000
A similar view after a rare fall
of snow 28th December 2000
Arriving by road from the south-east, from
Old Windsor, you will cross The Long Walk and enjoy views up
and down the avenue, towards the Copper Horse southwards, and
the Castle to the north.
NB There are no official parking places nearby, and
cars and cycles are not permitted to ride along the Long Walk.
If arriving by coach the driver will slow down for a few moments
to allow photographs but will be unable to stop. Car parking
may be possible in the side roads to the west, but the best plan
is to park in one of the town centre car parks and walk east
from The Guildhall past the Parish Church into Park Street, entering
the Long Walk through the Park Street gateway, middle left of
the picture above and below.
A similar view of The Long Walk
in 1946 showing a single avenue of newly planted trees
The Long Walk near Windsor Castle
before the old trees were
cut down in 1943 and replaced with young saplings
The magnificent avenue in detail,
with Horse Chestnuts along the inner rank and
a second, outer avenue of younger London Plane
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Horse
Riding
Windsor Great Park and
the surrounding areas provide superb opportunities for horse
riding. Permits are required to ride in the Great Park upon application
to:
The Crown Estates
Office, Windsor Great Park, Windsor, SL4 2HT
Tel: 01753 860222
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Pictures of Rolls Royces and Bentleys
in the Long Walk, April 2002
Queen's Golden Jubilee Rally in Long Walk
See also our story about the Saluting
Cannon The
Royal Salute in the Long Walk
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