Blog
Spring into action - the great outdoors
Friday, March 22, 2024
One thing that winter teaches us is to appreciate the great outdoors and the benefits of having gardens, parks or open spaces nearby. Rightmove research shows that 39% of buyers and 49% of tenants have changed their priorities and, with many still working at least part of the time from home, are increasingly looking for bigger gardens, more space, access to parking, and access to green spaces nearby. Whilst our network area is prime commuter territory with easy access to London, we are blessed with extensive public parks, picturesque gardens and stunning open countryside. Here are just some of the highlights.
Close to our Ashford and Feltham offices, residents have access to a selection of open spaces with Hounslow Heath to the east, the award winning Bedfont Lakes Country Park with 180 acres of lakes, woodlands and rolling meadow for dog walking and outdoor leisure pursuits and one of London's first airfields, London Air Park at Hanworth, which has a large sports-oriented public area. South of Ashford, fields alternate with woodland, across what used to be Ashford Common, a large area of common land which was favoured by King George III for military displays. Shortwood Common (between Ashford and Staines) is still grazed by cattle and contains a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest.
During the 1930s, gravel pits were a blot on the landscape in the Staines and Wraysbury area. Ironically, these became the beautiful lakes for which Wraysbury is known, and where open water swimming, sailing, fishing, diving and bird- watching can be enjoyed all year round. Reservoirs near Staines and Ashford provide open spaces for wildlife, sports and leisure activities. Staines Reservoir is a bird sanctuary, while the Queen Mary Reservoir is popular for sailing. Queen Mary Sailing Club offers sailing and windsurfing throughout the year on 700 acres of open water for water sports enthusiasts.
Windsor Great Park, home to the stunning Savill Gardens, Virginia Water and Valley Gardens covers 5,000 acres and is open all year round to visitors. It offers scenic walks through a variety of landscapes with the lake at Virginia Water, a deer park, Chinese pagoda, royal lodges, Roman ruins and even a North American totem pole. An iconic view of Windsor is the Long Walk linking Windsor Castle with Snow Hill where, according to legend, King Henry VIII waited for news of Anne Boleyn’s execution. Double rows of elm trees planted along the route by King Charles II created The Long Walk that we see today.
Public parks and play areas abound in the Slough area as do woodlands and natural landscapes. Named after astronomer and former Slough resident William Herschel, who discovered Uranus, Herschel Park, a 5 minute stroll from Slough High Street, is a delightful 3.5 hectare Grade II listed park, a hidden gem surrounded by the Victorian villas of the imposing Upton Park Estate. The Green Flag Award winning park was restored with £2.7m lottery funding and local volunteer support and now provides an historic, natural setting for a range of leisure activities for local residents and visitors.
Nearby Pinewood, Shepperton and Bray Studios often use Black Park and Burnham Beeches as locations due to their stunning woodland and lakeside beauty. Robin Hood, Casino Royale and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix are just some of the films that have been shot here. Black Park is one of the largest local country parks with 10 miles of level paths around the lake, 535 acres of woods and open heathland and GoApe for the more adventurous.
Burnham Beeches is a 540 acre stretch of ancient woodland, ideal for outdoor pursuits and family picnics. It was saved from development in 1879 and has since been managed by the City of London Corporation. Home to more than 60 species of plants and animals that are rare or under threat, the area is protected as a National Nature Reserve, and Site of Special Scientific Interest. Filming is restricted to 20 days per year and to certain areas to protect the woodland and its wildlife.
Lowndes Park is a stunning feature in the centre of Chesham spanning 36 acres. The lower park offers play areas, a multi-sports court, skateboard park, the historic avenue (also a cycle route), and Skottowes pond. Free open air concerts are staged here each year. The upper park has spectacular views across the town, excellent walking routes and natural habitats for local wildlife.
The whole of the Chilterns area is well-known for its picturesque scenery with rolling chalk hills, beech woodlands and quintessentially English villages such as Chalfont St Giles. A large part of the Chilterns was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1965. In spring, visitors, ramblers and dogwalkers are especially attracted to the woodland areas by brilliant blue swathes of bluebells. Film and television location finders are also drawn by the area’s quaint historic architecture and by the studios located nearby in Beaconsfield and at Pinewood.
There are so many places to explore across the Frost network area providing an extensive range of outdoor leisure options. For more information about the benefits our local areas have to offer, please contact your local Frost office.
