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The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead really is a unique, beautiful and historic destination so no wonder it is the place where many people have popped the question and made their proposal of marriage. With its picture-perfect scenery – and whatever the time of year – you’re bound to find a stunning place for the memorable occasion. We’ve selected our top 12 places to propose by month but let’s face it, these locations are beautiful pretty much year round!
Snow Hill is one of the highest points in Windsor Great Park and there are superb views of Windsor Castle down The Long Walk from The Copper Horse. The statue of King George III on horseback was erected by his son George IV in 1829 in memory of his father. It is said that Henry VIII stood on Snow Hill awaiting news of Anne Boleyn's execution which was to be signalled by gunfire from The Round Tower. Marriages no longer end this way and Snow Hill would be a beautiful spot to get down on one knee.
Sunset at The Copper Horse, Windsor Great Park
Cow Pond and Chapel Wood are very easy to miss when walking through Windsor Great Park. Cow Pond was renovated in 2012 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. There are pretty features here such as a Baroque-style footbridge and an oak arbour, both crafted with love from sustainable Windsor Estate oak creating the perfect setting for a heart-felt marriage proposal! Whatever the season, nearby Chapel Wood is always a worthwhile addition to your walk. A visit during January and February will be rewarded with colourful and sweetly perfumed witch hazels, while autumn fills this woodland with the glorious colour of the Japanese maples.
Cow Pond, Windsor Great Park, in the summer
With its wonderful view of Windsor Castle through the ‘Millennium Lime Avenue’ the Park and Arboretum at Dorney Lake would be the ideal early springtime spot for an March proposal. Dorney Lake is a world-class rowing and flat-water canoeing centre set in a spectacular 450-acre parkland near Windsor and was the venue for the Rowing and Kayak events in the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Public access is only permitted September to March so please check Dorney Lake's website before making a special visit!
Maidenhead Railway Bridge, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, crosses the Thames on the scenic reach between Bray Lock and Boulters Lock. The Thames towpath passes under the right-hand arch of the bridge. It is known as the Sounding Arch, because of its spectacular echo. If you want to be certain that your proposal is heard, this could be the ideal place to make it!
Sounding Arch, River Thames at Maidenhead
The Valley Gardens cover some 250 acres, and visitors can wander for hours on the slopes, among the plantings and twisting paths. The Gardens are at their height of colour and interest in April and May with an unrivalled display of rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias. The most famous display is the vibrant Punch Bowl where thousands of Kurume azaleas flaunt their flowers. Check the website to make sure you get down on one knee when the colours are at their most glorious!
Valley Gardens Punch Bowl
No-one knows exactly when the tradition of proposing on the Ascot pink bench began, but it is thought to date back to the Regency period before George VI became king. The period is noted for its elegance and romance and ‘Prinny’ – as the then Prince of Wales was known – was a keen race-goer and breeder as well as overseeing a boom time in Ascot’s history that saw the inaugural running of the Gold Cup in 1807. A pink-bench proposal at Royal Ascot would be an odds-on favourite for acceptance!
One of the pink benches at Ascot Racecourse
Opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010, The Rose Garden at The Savill Garden creates an intense sensory experience. As the deep aroma of the roses naturally rises, visitors are able to enjoy the perfume and stunning views across the Garden from a walkway which, from a distance, appears to ‘float’ above the Rose Garden. With a presentation of 2,500 roses, including two named William and Catherine, the Rose Garden is the place to propose in July.
What could be more romantic than surprising your future-intended with a horse-drawn carriage ride and popping the question in an open-topped carriage (there is room to get down on bended knee!) by a beautiful 18th-century lake or under a magnificent Windsor oak tree. Carriage rides are available through Windsor Great Park, including The Long Walk, with Ascot Carriages and Windsor Carriages.
Proposal on The Long Walk, Windsor Great Park, with Windsor Carriages
Pop the question on board a vintage river boat on the River Thames and your marriage proposal will be unforgettable, romantic and as unique as the everchanging riverside scenery. As you float gently along this historic stretch of the river within the Royal Borough you could be sharing your special moment with a royal swan, or you may catch a fleeting glimpse of a kingfisher diving into the water! You can drive your own boat or hire a skipper so you can relax. The Boat Hire Company can provide champagne, picnics and even help source a photographer to capture the magical moment. Alternatively you can provide your own food, drinks and suppliers.
Or let The Boat Hire Company transport you to one of the Royal Borough’s top riverside restaurants for your marriage proposal. For over 40 years, diners have been flocking to the picturesque village of Bray simply to visit The Waterside Inn. The restaurant holds three-Michelin-stars, with wonderful views across the River Thames. No other British restaurant can claim to have held three Michelin stars for so long. Take a look at our Thames Trail page for more inspiration.
Romantic boat trip on the River Thames with The Boat Hire Company
As a gift to George IV in 1816-17, the Corinthian pillars of Roman origin, and perhaps 2,000 years old, were brought from Leptis Magna, a Roman town in Tripoli. They were eventually erected in Virginia Water and form an impressive backdrop to the lake. Surrounded by the beautiful colours of autumn leaves, this would be a most 'Roman-tic' setting to charm your very own god or goddess!
Set high above the Thames with far-reaching views, Cliveden’s impressive gardens and majestic woodlands capture the grandeur of a bygone age. The beautiful gardens are owned and managed by the National Trust and the Fountain of Love can be found at the end of the Grand Avenue. Don't miss the impressive Cliveden maze which opened to visitors in 2011. It took two years to complete and is a re-creation of the maze designed and built for Lord Astor in 1894. Be careful not to lose your beloved before you have a chance to propose!
Cliveden's Fountain of Love
The present cast iron bridge was built in 1822 but the earliest reference to a bridge across the Thames at Windsor was in 1169. With stunning views of Windsor Castle and the winter-white swans that grace this stretch of the river, a proposal here would be an unforgettable Christmas present. From the bridge, take a stroll down Eton High Street and pop your wedding invitations in the mid-19th century Victorian post box with its vertical posting slot and a design that shows the reason why post boxes were once known as 'pillar boxes'. Celebrate with dinner at one of the many restaurants within walking distance of the bridge or go ice-skating at the open-air ice rink on the riverside at Alexandra Gardens, with a glass of mulled wine afterwards.
Windsor and Eton Bridge over the River Thames
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