Monday ride today with Daphers and Bloomers, and after a hilly ride last week, thought best keep it flatter today.😉 I suggested we meet at Frost Folly Car Park, and used a ride I have done a couple of times from there to Windsor Great Park (but not for a while). Nine Mile Ride was partially closed, so a bit of a faff for them to get there, but we arrived at exactly the same time.
Route
We dropped downhill straight away passing Warfield Church, and into Garsons Lane and Bishops Lane in Maidens Green. I knew we would see plenty of tree color today, but was not expecting to see California Poppies in full flower at this time of year! The gardens are confused with the recent rains and warm temperatures.
 |
| California poppies and Calendula in full flower at Maidens Green. |
 |
| Bishops Lane, Maidens Green. |
We used the normal route to Cranbourne, passing the entrance to the fishing lake cafe, then turned left into Lovel Lane, followed by a section on the Forest Road. A bit of traffic of course but not too busy. We then left the main roads into New Road, and soon into Kennel Ride, and Kennel Avenue, where Daphne announced "this is where Caroline lives". So now she knows where we are.
Through Ascot Racecourse, then on New Mile Ride, we ignored the turn to Watersplash Lane, continuing downhill. All nice and easy as we turned right at the T junction in Cheapside, joining the B383 but very soon left into Mill Lane. At the bend on Mill Lane, we turned into Black Nest entrance to Winsdor Park.
 |
| Black Nest Entrance. |
I had planned to turn right here, to skirt the edges of Virginia Water as I had done a few times before, so was pretty disappointed to see a "NO CYCLIST" sign. Its a shame, although it can be pretty busy with dog walkers who get in the way. Maybe THEY should be the ones who are banned!!
 |
Instead of right into Virginia Water, we went straight on, following this avenue.
|
 |
| This is what I had been hoping for today, and the reason we came here. Stunning. |
At the top of a rise, we turned right to the Queens Polo Club. The trees lining the polo lawns, also looking very colourful.
 |
| The left edge of the polo lawns. |
 |
| We rode along this edge, passing the club house. |
 |
The Polo club house. Lovely planting here too, with the bright leaves of
Vine turning a vibrant red tone. |
We were heading for the cafe at Saville Garden, and advice from a park visitor was to keep left after we dropped down the hill from the polo lawns, which we did, and where we rejoined by Garmin route one more.
 |
| More majestic trees as we approached The Obelisk pond. |
 |
| The Obelisk pond on our left, with loads of birds on the tree branches, just above the water level. |
Pretty warm now as we waiting in full sun for our cuppa. Last time I came here, I remember a window opening only, but today, we stepped inside to a proper counter at the cafe, just outside of the main Saville Garden building.
 |
| how ridiculous. |
 |
The roof on the Saville Garden main building is being repaired. I think it was a Sedum roof
before? But now wooden. The planting still looking good in the front, with loads of Verbena. |
We also had a quick look inside at the gift shop, full of lots of lovely items that you can live without. Daphne spotted some very nice gloves for her grand daughters, and couldn't resist. The plan is to attach them to some elastic sewn to their coats, so that they don't get lost. (Always reminds me of the Billy Connolly story about his gloves 😅)
With a route to follow now to find our way through the park, we took a couple of turns, to drop down fast passing the Royal School buildings, joining Dukes Lane, which is the one we normally use when riding to Watersplash Lane.
 |
Daphne's chain came off as we climbed the final hill to the white gates.
Left her to it! Didn't fancy stopping on that hill. She managed. |
 |
| Beautiful foliage behind the gate house. |
 |
Final photo inside the park, as we dropped down to the Ascot Gate exit.
|
As we crossed into Watersplash Lane, a man was just putting a drone into his van. I asked what he had been filming? He had been doing some cutaway shots over the Great Park. From inside the park? Well, he said, they don't really allow it, so he was very coy about it.
I then asked what he would do with the footage? They are for a new film on Netflix, about a murder which took place near here, and the body was buried in the park! (About 15 years ago he thought). The film is made, but they need cutaway shots for the edit. (I know these things.😊)
We retraced our route to the racecourse, but the entrance I had hoped go in was closed, since there is lots of ground work going on atm. Daphne led us though as far as you can go along the edge of the racecourse building, then we turned right to drop under another tunnel. I had not done this before, so useful to know it's there.
Back at Kennel Avenue, we turned left onto Burleigh Road, and followed it all the way through to the library car park, at Heathway, which come out on a foopath. Then left and right into Mill Ride, which
continues straight into Sandy Lane. With last night's heavy rain, this could have been messy, but it was absolutely fine, and very pretty with it's covering of golden leaves.
At the top of the climb, right into Locks Ride, and soon left into Chavey Down Road. All downhill and easy going, apart from a little rise at the end. Left onto the B3022, Bracknell Road for less than half a mile, then right into Malt Hill, where we rejoined Church Lane to pass Warfield Church once more.
 |
Warfield Church.
We tried to get in, but not open. |
It was a downhill start...... so an up hill finish back to Frost Folly.
Another glorious October day. It can't last. Both ladies busy with holidays next week and half term too . Have fun, and see you soon.
