The Valley Garden at Virginia Water is a magical place. The "Punch Bowl" is especially gorgeous,…read morefilled with flowers and bursting colors in May. A must see. And, you won't believe that this is part of the "Greater London." Just a quick train ride away for a day trip. It is a great hiking place and paradise for photographers. The only slightly annoying issue is there are no toilets. At all. More an issue for girls than guys.

This is a beautiful park where you can enjoy a walk, run, picnics or photography. It's very…read morepeaceful and (I believe) free! There is a small snack stand to grab a coffee or a treat before your activity. Serene is the best word I think to describe the park. You can see the Queen's swans and dogs are allowed now, but I don't believe they need a leash the entire time. Great scenic spots for photos. I really enjoyed my visit to Virginia Water.

Great for a half-day trek down the Long Walk from Windsor Castle and Town Centre, preferably with a…read moregood friend because the road is dead straight and nothing much happens except when you sight deer or even rarer royalty. Or take a bicycle along the many roads that criss-cross the park, and watch a Polo match or one of the many other summer events. Kas73 is wrong, you can't drive through unless you live in the park, but you can ride up to a great little cafe/Post Office and even some swings if you take the kids. For a full day, add on a walk around the lake in the Valley Gardens, best for their rhododendrons and spring flowers.

Probably the single best thing about living in windsor you can be in beautiful meadows, exploring…read morewoodland, walking around lakes and all within 10 mins of the centre of town. great for picnics, cycling, running or just whiling away an afternoon walking around. Dont miss the copper horse, or the huge herd of deer.

Stumbled across these gardens while taking a shortcut along the river Thames walk and heading back…read moreto our car, which was parked at the Alma Road parking. The great thing about this park is that it has lift/ stairs which are a shortcut to the train station and Alma Road car park (yay!) and I was very grateful for that as my tootsies had taken just about all the walking they could. I also spotted free toilets (incl disabled facilities) and a play area for kids. There was also a cafe (closed when we walked by) but all in all reckon it would be a lovely spot on a summers day!

Winkworth arboretum is a lovely place for an afternoon out: established in the late 1930s by Dr…read moreWilfred Fox, it consists of a steep, narrow valley with a long lake, surrounded by woodland and meadows. It is now in the care of the National Trust. There are lots of paths to choose from, as well as a play area for children, sculptures and great views. Some routes are relatively level and easy to walk, whereas those down to the lake involve some long flights of steep steps down - and then of course back again. The children's area has rustic climbing and activity pieces - a bit like junior outward bound. On our visit there was an archery course under way for young people, which looked great fun. There's a cafe serving beverages and a limited range of snacks, cakes and ice-creams. Parking is free but there's an entry charge unless you are a National Trust member.

The best way to sum up our visit is with the words of my two young daughters, 'Can we come back…read moretomorrow?'. They loved exploring the winding paths through this 'woodland' property.

This review is dedicated to David K, aka Davinchi, the greatest Harley biker of them all…read more.. What are you going to do in London when the urge for some excitement kicks in, when you feel an urge to get out and test your manhood? Or, your womanhood? Or, you just feel like doing something crazy to feel alive? The Harley Davidson Surrey Chapter sponsors the Iron Butt Harley Davidson Challenge, which is to ride 1,000 miles on a Harley within a 24 hour period. The Iron Butt challenge is a test of human endurance and of a great machine. The Iron Butt starts in Guildford, loops up to Southeast Scotland, and back to Guildford - a 1,000 mile ride through the rolling green pastureland of England and Scotland. The ride starts off innocently enough: 20 devoted Harley riders in a classical British riding formation gliding through the English countryside. It doesn't matter that the countryside is enshrouded in a heavy, misty fog; it feels like total freedom feeling the cold air blowing by flying though the English countryside. The sun eventually sets. The air feels measurably colder. The freezing cold seeps directly through thick, English riding gloves, and fingers turn icy cold and eventually lose all feeling. Rain starts to fall. Light at first. Then, heavier. The group stops in Lancashire for a rest at a Travel Lodge. Time constraints only allow for a 2 hour rest break. Lying in bed in wet riding garb, sleep doesn't come. It soon becomes clear that a hot shower is in order - it's the only way to shed the cold. Two hours pass quickly and back out into the darkness. The rain now a steady, insistent downpour. After a while, unbearable fatigue sets in. The rain falling obliquely, starts to fall in heavy, thick droplets. It changes color. It's purple now. Panic starts to set in. This doesn't seem real. Is this really England? Or, a bad dream where losing focus or attention may lead to disaster? It's so hard to stay awake. The world is encased in darkness. The only visual elements are the lights of the bikes ahead. The only sounds are the pelting rain and the deep V twin rumble of 20 Harleys flying through the English countryside. Sleep deprivation and motorcycle riding are not a great combination. Guildford comes around. The end finally comes. The unmeasurably heavy fatigue of limbs and body parts drain out and pain and soreness call out for relief. It's finally over and .... The Iron Butt patch will come in the mail.

It may seem strange to review something like an event that is past? However I must point out that…read moreeach year around Epsom Downs near me A Motorcycle Club runs a Veteran Run to Box Hill to what was known as Rykers Café at the bottom of Mickleham Village. Also once a year the same enthusiasts cross over to the Isle of Wight for a Jamboree.

So green and watery, a little area of wilderness that begs you to follow the squashy path into the…read morerustling, gurgling heart of Rack Marsh, located at Bagnor near Newbury in deepest Berkshire. You'd think you were a million miles from nowhere, surrounded by fluffy topped rushes, swaying grasses, trees and the pretty ring of quaint old cottages across the way. But, you would be wrong, this is 7 minutes from Newbury town centre - this is the battle ground of the original road-wars over the infamous Newbury By-pass of a few years ago. Remember Swampy? Well, that was his little war - he lost and actually, Rack Marsh and Bagnor have not suffered as they thought. Dragon flies, trout, buzzards, cucckoos, ducks, bugs, you name it, the place is just bursting with wild life. Come down on a hot summer day and dip your toes in the crystal clear stream water (surprisingly freezing cold!) from the skinny bridge at the centre of the Marsh. If picnics are not your thing, there's The Blackbird pub 100 yards away with its good food and drinks selection and welcoming gardens. Along one side is the Watermill Theatre. With the streams flowing past though its grounds into the wetland, the theatre is housed in a mill (refurbished, obviously!) that was recorded in the Doomsday Book. In recent years, the theatre has apparently progressed into the top league of regional theatre with many shows produced here transferring to London or touring throughout the UK or overseas. Wow, and you thought this was just any old bit of bog land - but no, a famous cultural centre too! A really beautiful bit of English countryside, Rack Marsh is definitely worth a visit.

A very nice park between the Reading Museum and the Abbey Ruins…read more The site and the Abbey Ruins next door have cultural significance to the area dating back to the 12th century. To get the most out of your visit, I would recommend stopping by the Reading Museum first to read about how the park and ruins fit into Reading's history. The park is a delightful urban oasis located right next to the Abbey Ruins and just about a 5-minute walk to the Reading Museum. It really is a charming green space located in the heart of Reading, offering a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. The park boasts beautifully landscaped gardens, a picturesque pond, and historical features like the famous Maiwand Lion statue. When we visited, it had well-maintained paths that made it a pleasant spot for leisurely strolls. Its historical resonance adds a unique touch to the park's ambiance. If you are interested in a nice place to go to relax or explore, this could be it. The pathways are wide and the grounds are well-kept and pretty. For more specific details and visitor reviews, you can check out local travel websites or the official Reading Borough Council website.

I am sorry to disagree with a fellow Yelper, but David is missing the point of Reading. It's not…read moretrying to be elegant or subtle, relaxing or picturesque. It will never be London or Oxford. It's a city where people live and love, where businesses are based and where children run and play. The elegance is there, you just have to look for it. I've been living here for 9 months now and I've managed to find it in several places, including this one. Forbury Gardens is one of the spots carved out from the hustle-and-bustle. Sure, the buses and traffic trundles past on Forbury Road (aka A329), but that's over there. Outside. Away from the grass and the benches and the peace of a secluded and pretty park. There is a lovely gazebo in the center and the Forbury Band Concert Season is held on Sundays during the summer. Whether you're here for the music or just the peace, bring a picnic! The groundskeepers do a fine job of keeping the gravel level and the litter picked up. As you do take your time and relax, enjoy the Forbury Lion aka the Maiwand Lion, one of the largest cast iron lions in the UK. It's there to commemorate the deaths of 329 soldiers in Afghanistan. No, not the current war. The one back between 1878 and 1880, according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maiwand_Lion.

I have nothing but good things to say about this place, they offer a variety of services including…read morelivery, pony riding, horse riding and more at affordable prices. The service is really friendly and I would advise anyone that has a passion for horse riding to pay them a visit. They are a lovely bunch of people and horses! (o:

I found Hall Place a couple of years ago - I was specifically looking for somewhere where I could…read morehave lessons with a qualified instructor. I've been riding for 30 years, but have been out of the saddle for quite some time - the team have truly piqued my passion for horses and riding again. I wanted to have lessons with a view to buying my own horse again in the not too distant future. I've been lucky to get to know a number of the instructors and now work regularly with Kate Turner, the head coach. Kate has taken apart my 30 years worth of old and bad habits and has slowly put me back together again. I am now learning to ride at a very technical level and enjoying each step of the journey. My riding is better than it ever has been and I simply can't get enough of it! The team at Hall Place are friendly, experienced and willing to encourage a variety of competencies - dressage, jumping, cross country etc. They encourage riders to compete, hack out and enjoy the peace and quiet and even get non riders involved at their shows and cross country events. The horses are great, far better than I was used to in my teenage days (!) and the facilities are varied with indoor and outdoor schools, cross country course, tack shop and coffee shop! I am due to loan one of the horses for a week in July - I fear it may be a slippery slope to a purchase!!