AUTUMN AT VIRGINIA WATER IN PHOTOGRAPHS

 

VIRGINIA WATER LAKE is surrounded by beautifully cultivated parkland. It is located about 7 miles south of Slough and about 22 miles southwest of central London. We visited it today, the 16^th of November 2021, to enjoy the many colours of the autumn foliage, and were not disappointed.

 

In 1746, William Duke of Cumberland (1721-1765), who fought in the Battle of Culloden and became the Ranger of Windsor Great Park, developed the marshy waste where today the Virginia Water Lake and its park are located. The painter Paul Sandby (1731-1809) and his older brother Thomas (1721-1798) designed the lake and landscaping around it. They drained the swamp and dammed the lowest end of it as well as diverting local streams to create a lake. The dam collapsed in 1768 and was then rebuilt using stronger materials. At the same time, a waterfall, which we were unable to see on our visit, was created to carry the excess water from the lake. Another feature, which we were only able to see from afar as it was closed for maintenance works, is a set of ruins near the waterfall. These consist of archaeological fragments brought from Greece and North Africa. Prior to being brought to Virginia Water by order of King George IV, they had been stored in the courtyard of the British Museum.

 

While we wandered around the parkland, it occurred to me that when it was laid out back in the 18^th century, its designers would have had to imagine how the park would look when its trees and shrubs eventually matured. They would not have been able to see the magnificent grounds as we see them today but could only dream about what is now a reality, something that they would not have lived long enough to see.

 

After an enjoyable walk with our friends from Richmond, who have introduced us to many places new to us, we ate lunch in the restaurant close to the London Road car park. The quality of the food available there is a cut above what is available in many other parks in and around London.