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Virginia Water Tourist Information


The affluent village of Virginia Water is in Surrey and is christened after the lake and stream of the same name. The stream, which runs through Windsor Great Park, was thought to have been named after Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen.

The stream was dammed to form a lake in 1753 when it became the largest manmade lake in the UK. George IV had a 32-foot royal barge moored on the lake and entertained his friends with an orchestra aboard a smaller boat alongside.

The lake was temporarily drained during World War II. It was considered too easily recognizable for enemy aircraft possibly looking to bomb Windsor and other military targets in the area.

In 1998 General Pinochet of Chile was kept under house arrest at one of the mansions on the exclusive Wentworth Estate. Other famous residents include Sarah Ferguson, singer Cliff Richard, TV host Bruce Forsyth and comedian Russ Abbott along with many professional golfers.


Present Day Virginia Water

The latest census recorded Virginia Water as having around 6,000 residents. It is popular with London commuters as it is close to the M25, M3 and M4 motorways. The village has a station on the railway line to London's Waterloo station, Reading and Weybridge and London's Heathrow Airport is just eight miles away.

Virginia Water has several local shops in the centre of the village and larger stores and supermarkets can be found at Staines, Windsor and Ascot.

Virginia Water has many large detached homes on the Wentworth Estate, which includes the world class Wentworth Golf Club with its four illustrious courses. It is home to the PGA Golf Tour, which was where the Ryder Cup was first played.

The lake has an 18th century ornamental cascade, a ruined temple built from columns brought from the ancient city of Leptis Magna in Libya and a towering totem pole, a gift to the Queen from the Kwakiutl people of British Columbia in Canada.

Virginia Water lake was used in the filming of the Harry Potter scenes. It is also well known by fishing enthusiasts as the place where the largest pike in Britain was caught, weighing a massive 58 pounds 5 ounces.

The area has several local pubs including the Wheatsheaf Hotel which has a pleasant beer garden, the Beehive and the Fox and Hounds.


Things to do in Virginia Water

Old Windsor is a delightful place to visit within easy reach from Virginia Water. Windsor Castle offers a full day of attractions with its historic buildings, gardens and the magnificent St George's Chapel. Guided tours are the best way to learn about the history of this royal palace.

Ascot Racecourse has regular racing as well as the famous five-day Royal Ascot event each June.

 

Directions
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Attractions near Virginia Water
Ascot Racecourse (3 Miles)*
Ascot Racecourse is synonymous with quality, excellence and a truly memorable day out. The highlight of the year is Royal Ascot in June with five days of tradition, pageantry and style.
Thorpe Park (4 Miles)*
For the ultimate adrenaline fix in 2012, grab your mates and take on some of Europe's most extreme rides and attractions at the nation's Thrill Capital, Thorpe Park.
Chertsey Museum (4 Miles)*
The Museum is housed in the Cedars, a Grade II listed Regency town house with an attractive garden
more attractions in Virginia Water and things to do in Virginia Water ...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

What's near Virginia Water

Attractions:
  Ascot Racecourse  3 Miles
  Thorpe Park  4 Miles
  Runnymede  4 Miles
more attractions in Virginia Water...
 
Towns:
  Wentworth  1 Mile
  Sunningdale  1 Mile
  Longcross  2 Miles
more towns near Virginia Water...
 
Estate Agents:
  Savills (L & P) Limited  1 Mile
  Hamptons International  1 Mile
  Chancellors Group of Estate Agents  1 Mile
Hotels:
  Ramada Ascot, Royal Berkshire  1 Mile
  De Vere Venues Sunningdale Park  1 Mile
  Savill Court Hotel  2 Miles
more hotels in Virginia Water area...
 
Bed and Breakfast:

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Self Catering:
  Island Close  4 Miles
  Windsor Edwardian  5 Miles
  Nurses Cottages  6 Miles
more self catering near Virginia Water...
 
Campsites:
  Laleham Camping Club  5 Miles
  Hurley Riverside Park  13 Miles
  Wellington Country Park  15 Miles
TIC: Windsor Tourist Information Centre     Tel: 01753 743900  5 Miles



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Towns near Virginia Water
Wentworth Tourist Information (1 Mile)*
Sunningdale Tourist Information (1 Mile)*
Longcross Tourist Information (2 Miles)*
more towns near Virginia Water...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Hotels near Virginia Water
Ramada Ascot, Royal Berkshire (1 Mile)*
Set in 14 acres of lush landscaped gardens the Ramada Ascot, Royal Berkshire is a grand 18th century building, originally built for the Churchill family.
De Vere Venues Sunningdale Park (1 Mile)*
Set within 65 acres of secluded Berkshire parkland, the De Vere Venues Sunningdale Park is the ideal hotel for a romantic getaway.
Highclere Hotel (2 Miles)*
Set in Sunninghill village near Ascot, only 10 minutes from the m25 and m3 motorways. A family run hotel conveniently located with shops, restaurants and pubs all within a short walk.
more Virginia Water hotels (and nearby)...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Self Catering near Virginia Water
Windsor Edwardian (5 Miles)*
Windsor Edwardian is a penthouse apartment in a stunning Victorian house, which looks out over Windsor Castle and skirts the famous long walk.
Nurses Cottages (6 Miles)*
The property offers a luxury home away from home accommodation including a starter pack of fruit, bread, cereals, milk, tea and coffee to enable you to settle in immediately.
Your property could be here
Advertising your self catering property or holiday cottage on AboutBritain.com will get you noticed by thousands of potential guests every day.
more self catering near Virginia Water ...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

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