My Favourite Walk in the Royal Borough

I’m Charlotte Stewart; as Web Marketing Executive I look after the content that appears on the Royal Borough’s visitor website windsor.gov.uk and I’ve worked for RBWM since 2002.  I grew up in Windsor and now live in Ascot.  The Royal Borough is a fascinating and wonderfully picturesque destination to promote online.  I could wax lyrical for ages about how much there is to see and do!

Recently I’ve heard Windsor Great Park described as ‘the lungs of the Royal Borough’ and that rings truer now than ever before.  Up until now it's been easy to take open spaces – and the ability to enjoy them at leisure – for granted.  The terrible threat of Covid-19 and life in lockdown has made so many people realise just how much the outdoors and the changing of the seasons mean to them personally.

I’ve always loved walking in the countryside and having a doggy pal with whom to share this pleasure makes perfect sense.  I cannot wait until I can explore further from home with my canine friend Tess.

One of our favourite Royal Borough walks at Cookham and Cock Marsh starts in the car park at Cookham Moor, near Maidenhead, and there are a few reasons for this particular choice.

I love being by the River Thames and part of this walk takes you right along the Thames Path.  There’s wildlife to spot, grazing cattle to circumvent, people on boats to wave at and beautiful riverside houses to admire on the other side of the water!

The walk is on land looked after by the National Trust.  I worked for the Trust for many years and support them as a member now.  I love the idea that this place, and its views, are preserved for everyone to enjoy for ever more. 

This trail offers a wonderful feeling of wide open space and the views from Winter Hill are far reaching and include another favourite National Trust place of mine: Cliveden.

Pretty Cookham is full of hidden gems including the Stanley Spencer Gallery and delightful independent eateries.

You can find out more and follow the Cookham and Cock Marsh walk by visiting the National Trust website.  Happy exploring!

Top three things I'm looking forward to doing post-lockdown

1. Giving my dad a big hug and taking him out for a beer and Sunday lunch at his favourite pub, The Duke of Edinburgh in Woodside.
2. Enjoying a lazy breakfast at Cinnamon Cafe in Windsor Royal Station.  They make the best porridge ever!
3. Going to see some stand up comedy at Norden Farm, Maidenhead.  We all deserve some light relief.