Healthy Living

"Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live." (Jim Rohn)

Whether you are coming for the day or visiting on a short break, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead offers lots of great ways to improve your health and wellbeing making it great for the body and the soul!

Spa Break

For many people a rejuvenating spa or activity break is one of the most popular ways to achieve a sense of well-being, raise fitness levels and have an important change of scene from your daily routine.  Stay in one of our fabulous hotels that offers spa and fitness facilities on site; you may not want to leave!  Well-equipped gyms and pools come as standard with the majority and you can get a tailor-made programme to suit your individual needs or take advantage of the unlimited use of their sports facilities.  Pamper yourself with a spa treatment; many hotels offer a range of different packages to choose from.

Floating Spa at Monkey Island Estate

Forest Bathing at Windsor Great Park Environmental Centre

Immerse yourself in and connect with nature using as many of your senses as you can on a two-hour Forest Bathing session at Windsor Great Park Environmental Centre, in partnership with the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT).  Forest Bathing has its roots in Shinto and Buddhist traditions. During your session you'll be encouraged to slow down and become more aware and mindful of the joy of the natural surroundings, bathing in the smells, sights, sounds and taste of nature.  The session will end with a tea ceremony.  Find out more about forest bathing and other nature-based adult activities here.

Walking

One of the best ways to get to know an area is by walking.  The Royal Borough features some beautiful countryside with more than 1,000 acres of National Trust land in the north and 4,800 acres of Crown Estate, not to mention the River Thames running through the heart of the region.  There's a network of around 300km of public rights of way, offering access to a wealth of beautiful countryside, woodland, parkland and the river scenery of the Thames Path.

Thousands of acres of beautiful Windsor Great Park are just waiting to be explored.  There are excellent walks of different lengths to suit all ages and abilities.  Starting from Windsor town centre, the iconic tree-lined Long Walk is a good bet at any time of the year.  The public stretch of the Long Walk running from Cambridge Gates at Windsor Castle to The Copper Horse statue is 2.65 miles long.  It's great for walkers and runners but no cyclists on this stretch please!  Or try Queen Anne’s Ride which includes the Long Walk but also goes through ‘the village’ in the Great Park and is a distance of 10 miles.

Dorney circular walk is 8.5 miles and starts in Windsor with many beautiful riverside views.  Another option is to walk from Windsor to Datchet along the river, a 2.5 mile walk on flat ground suitable for all fitness levels with wonderful views of Windsor Castle.

Explore the local towns and villages by following historic walking trails or cycling between them.

You can purchase some maps and guides online.  You’ll also find a range of Public Right of Way Publications available for download on the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead website.

Virginia Water

Cycling

The national cycle network provides a safe and attractive route through parts of Maidenhead and Windsor.  For example National Cycle route 4 shows which areas of Windsor Great Park are accessible by bike with over 17 miles of smooth and even paths and roads suitable for all the family.  Rollerblading enthusiasts can also use these routes.

Swinley Forest (an area of Windsor Great Park about 3 miles from Bracknell) is an ideal area for mountain bikers of all abilities with three clearly marked routes: easy, moderate and difficult.  The easy Green trail is perfect for families with young children and bike trailers.  The Swinley Bike Hub provides bike hire, bike spares as well as advanced coaching.  Find out more about cycling in Windsor Greak Park.

Some hotels offer their guests the opportunity to hire bikes.  There are bicycles for hire at Fairmont Windsor Park, on the edge of Windsor Great Park, so you can explore nearby Windsor Great Park at your own pace.

There are two Windsor-based companies offering a range of hybrid and road bikes for hire by the day or for a few days.  Take a look at Windsor Cycle Hire and The Bike Company for more information.  Need to stop for refreshments?  Cinnamon Café in Windsor Royal, Station Shopping is a mecca for cyclists, or head to Windsor Farm Shop at the edge of the Home Park or The Savill Garden Kitchen in The Savill Garden Visitor Centre in Windsor Great Park.

The Royal Borough Cycle Map shows quiet roads that are suitable for cycling as well as dedicated cycle routes. It also shows locations of local bike shops and town centre cycle parking.

Cycling in Windsor Great Park, image Ferla Paolo Photography

Leisure Centres

If your accommodation doesn’t have its own spa, gym or pool then come and use ours!  The Royal Borough’s leisure centres in Windsor and Maidenhead (Braywick) offer a wide choice of sports and activities as well as spa facilities.  Whether you want the freedom to 'do your own thing' or wish to join an organised class, there’s plenty going on right through the day. 

The state-of-the-art Braywick Leisure Centre features a 10-lane swimming pool, large children’s learning and leisure pool, a 200-station gym, multi-sports hall and events theatre.  With free parking and Wi-Fi, improved accessibility for disabled users, party and meeting rooms, it's a wonderful venue for all the family.

Golf

The Royal Borough, and the area immediately surrounding it, is famed for its golf and is home to some of the finest championship courses this country has to offer including Wentworth and Sunningdale.

Some local hotels can arrange for guests to play at nearby clubs.  Ask about golf packages that include dinner, bed and breakfast and 18 holes.

The area boasts many other golf centres such as Birds Hill in the Maidenhead and Bracknell area, Lavender Park Golf Centre and Mill Ride Golf and Country Club both in Ascot, Datchet Golf Club and Maidenhead Golf Club. Younger members of the family can try their hand at Windsor Mini Golf at Extreme Motion in Windsor's Alexandra Gardens.

Riding and Polo

Windsor and the Royal Borough is famous for its equestrian events such as Royal Windsor Horse Show and racing at Windsor and Ascot, including the prestigious Royal Ascot.  It's also the most wonderful place to get into the saddle and out into the countryside as a form of exercise to be enjoyed with friends and family.

If you are a keen horserider, or would like to try it for the first time, some riding schools in the Windsor and Maidenhead area offer lessons and hacks through some of the most spectacular Berkshire countryside including Windsor Great Park.  These include Tally Ho! Stables and Hacking Centre in Englefield Green and Wayside Stables in Fifield.  Some hotels, such as Coworth Park in Ascot, can also arrange riding.

Polo is known worldwide as 'the sport of kings' and is a popular spectator sport in the Royal Borough.  Did you know you can learn to play polo at some of our local clubs?  No experience is necessary!

Find out more about riding, polo and equestrian events on our Equestrian Itineraries page.

Horse riders in Windsor Great Park