How to walk from Windsor to Staines: Thames Path Day 13

Today’s walk from Windsor to Staines was alright. I can’t remember a lot of it because I was planning out in my head what I would do if I won the lottery. Well, at first I imaged what would I do with a modest 1 million. Then I upped it to 5 million. Then what the hell, I was going for a jackpot of £150 million.

Looking over the green leafy bushes to the river and a thatched roofed cottage partially hidden by trees on the other side on the walk from Windsor to Staines.

What to expect on the walk from Windsor to Staines

It started out pretty just as you expect Windsor to be, then it was a mix up between tree lined trail, road, lots of road, unexpected overgrowth, and nearer to Staines all the people.

Looking across the river to a clue house boat moored to the other side, along the walk from Windsor to Staines. There is a mass of green leafy bushes and trees behind the boat.

A dirt trail leading through the woods and lined with bushes, partway through the walk from Windsor to Staines. There are people walking along the trail ahead.

Looking over the tall grass and across the river to lots of boats moored to the other side, when walking from Windsor to Staines. There are lots of big leafy trees on the other side of the river.

There was definitely more of a suburban vibe later on in the walk. The riverside houses looked more like regular people houses (as opposed to rich people mansion houses).

Looking through the bushes to the river with houses on the other side.

A trail leading through the grass, with the river to the left, and boats and barges moored to both sides. There is a wooden table on the grass on the left.

Near Staines you walk through Runnymede and National Trust Land, which seem to be where all the families go. Masses of people, and screeching kids.

A field with a trail running through it and lots of people ahead. There are tree branches hanging into the Fram on the left.

If you like your history, it is also the site of the first version of Magna Carta (in the year 1215). For those not in the know, in simple terms, it’s a document setting out the laws which everyone must follow. It was particularly significant because the King and government had to follow the rules too.

Windsor to Staines is also a milestone walk, as you will end up within the M25. London is coming.

Logistics

Start: Windsor, Berkshire.
Finish: Staines, Surrey.
Distance: 8.6 miles
Time: 2h 35min
Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Path, concrete, dirt trail
Amenities: Plenty of stuff in both Windsor and Staines, including public toilets. There are public toilets in Staines Station as well. Along the route, 5 miles in you will reach Runnymead which has a bunch of stuff. Cafes, restaurants etc.
Time of year: I walked from Windsor to Staines in late June.

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Public transport

Windsor and Staines both have train stations with direct routes to London in under an hour. Windsor & Eaton Riverside and Staines are on the same train line to London Waterloo, so you can buy a return ticket to Windsor (riverside) and this will cover your return from Staines.

There is another station in Windsor called Windsor & Eaton Central. This one takes you to Paddington.

Accommodation

In Windsor, the George Inn looks to be the best value. This one isn’t pet friendly. You can have a look at your other options here.

In Staines, the cheapest seems to be the Travelodge. It’s pet friendly. For the prices I’m seeing in Staines, I would just stay in Windsor. It’s much nicer, and you can get between the two by train.

Map for the walk from Windsor to Staines

Read yesterdays walk: Maidenhead to Windsor day 12

Route Description: Windsor to Staines walk

Out of the station, head to the river and turn right.

A sign saying 'Thames side' on the black railings with the river behind, at the start of the walk from Windsor to Staines. There is a small yellow boat and a bigger white boat in the choppy river. There is a big red bricked building on the other side of the river.

A walkway on the right, and river on the left with a black railing and boats moored to the side.

You will then be on a narrow path between the bushes. Despite the closeness, I found it rather pretty, with the occasional colourful flowers.

A paved path leading through two brick pillars onto a tree lined trail. There is the top of a boat visible on the river on the left with two deck chairs on top.

A narrow path lined with tall green leafy bushes at the start of the walk out of Windsor towards Staines.

This is then interrupted with road and an industrial looking area, before heading into the meadows which is quite lovely, and then dirt path, a view to Windsor Castle, and fields.

A wide road path leading ahead lined with tall trees. There is a person walking ahead.

A tall blue metal structure next to the river.

A grass trail surrounded by the tall grass of the meadow with trees ahead and to the left.

A wide dirt path lined with bushes and trees, leading under an archway bridge ahead.

A neatly cut grass field with a big white camper van in the middle and white big tents behind, and a view to Windsor castle in the distance. There are leafy tree branches hanging into the frame from above.

Looking over the bushes to the green coloured river and thatched roofed cottage on the other side, along the walk from Windsor to Staines. The cottage is surrounded by trees and bushes.

Cross the river

You will reach a gate dead end. I couldn’t see any Thames Path signs here, but figured I needed to cross over the bridge, so found a gap in the bushes up the hill and scrambled up.

A wodę dirt trail leading to an arch under a stone bridler, and black metal gate blocking the trail. — The dead end

Looking down to the river, lined with masses of green leafy trees and bushes, partway through the walk between Windsor and Staines. There are two blue houses boats moored to the side. — Looking down from the bridge

On the other side of the bridge, turn right down the steps to continue along the river on the other side.

Looking down some steps which are partially engulfed by green leafy bushes.

It was nice and woody along here for a while. Just like yesterday, we were in a heat wave. The cool tree cover was very welcome.

A dirt trail surrounded by green leafy bushes and trees.

The long road

When you reach the road, turn right. It’s now a long stretch of road, with a brief sighting of river.

Looking along a pavement, with the road to the right and wooden fence to the left. Both sides of the road are lined with green leafy bushes and trees.

At some point, make sure you are on the right side. The trail is hidden along here. If you are on the right side, you will see it. It’s just past here in the photo below.

The road on the left and small grass verge on the right, with bushes to the right side.

A trail leading through a gap in the green leafy bushes.

The overgrowth

This leads you onto a tight trail, then at the end, turn right for more tightness.

A narrow dirt trail lined with bushes on both sides, and a bit of wooden fence on the right.

A narrow dirt trail with bushes and pink flowers on the right and a wooden fence and field to the left, on the walk from Windsor to Staines. — This is after the right turn

At the end, you will be on the river again, where you turn left. This is the proper overgrowth. It surprised me, as I hadn’t seen overgrowth for a while. I thought I would be done with that stuff by this point. I suppose not many people walk along this bit. Getting here wasn’t that exciting so I can see why.

A barely visible trail leading through the tall overgrowth.

The trail will then lead you up to road again, where you turn back on yourself to cross the bridge over the river.

The trail lined with green bushes, leading under an archway of a big brick bridge.

A small pavement leading ahead, with the road on the right and bushes on the left. There is a trail sign on the left side pointing along the road. There is a person walking on the pavement and a car on the road.

Over the other side, turn left down the steps.

Looking down some steps to a dirt trail below, which is lined with grass and bushes, on the walk between Windsor and Staines.

Follow the river to suburbia

After a bit of nature riverside walking, you will be on road again, then past Windsor Lock.

A dirt trail leading ahead, lined with big bushes, and the river just visible to the left.

A road leading ahead, and a road turning left alongside a yellow wall. There is a mass of bushes in the junction of the roads. — Stay on this side of the river

A wide path road lined with big bushes and trees, and a person walking ahead, on the way to Staines from Windsor.

a small lock hut with flowers outside and wide steps below. There is a neatly cut hedge to the left of the hut and big tree to the right.

The houses start to become a bit more common. Lots of them, like a riverside community. These aren’t those giant houses from the trail past, but I bet they are still pretty pricey.

Looking across the river to the other side with nice houses, partially hidden by bushes on the walk from Windsor to Staines.

A dirt path leading ahead on the right, with the river to the left and a strip of grass between the two. There are bushes and trees on the right hanging over the trail.

Looking across the river, with a cream and red boat moored to this side, and an assortment on houses on the other side, partway through the walk to Staines from Windsor.

A dirt trial leading ahead, with a wooden fence and hedge to the left and river on the other side. There is a big overhanging tree on the right.

After a bit of promenade walking you will be pushed onto the roadside (briefly), then back along the river to get to all the people.

A walkway promenade leading ahead on the right, with the river to the left. There is a brick wall lining the right side of the promenaded and trees lining the river ahead in the distance.

A road leading ahead with a pavement to the left. The road and pavement are lined with big trees.

A wide path lined with tall grass and bushes to the left and parked cars to the right.

The crowds, and Magna Carta

This next stretch through Runnymede was not so enjoyable. Masses of parked cars, people walking the path, busy road. This then led me to something worse. Big fields filled with masses of people and children. This is the Magna Carta location, and there are things about you can go and look at.

A mane sitting in the grass field facing the river, with a lime green sun umbrella over him.

There were too many people so I hurried on through this bit, following the river, and onto a surprise pretty path out the other end.

A narrow path lined with pretty flowers and bushes, when walking from Windsor to Staines.

Still quite built up, but a lot calmer, colourful flowers, and a barge storage area.

A women walking her dog next to a blue barge to the right of her on the ground.

Looking down the a paved path with a women walking her dog, near the end of the walk from Windsor to Staines. There is a fence to the right and an assortment of barges moored to the side of the river on the left.

Looking across the river to Tudor buildings on the other side, with red bricked bottoms and black and white tops, near the end of the walk from Windsor to Staines. — This looks like it could be something of historical importance. I don’t know what though.

Enter the M25

The path will lead you to a bridge under the M25. I have to say, I didn’t hate it. It’s quite an impressive bridge, and a vortex of cool and darkness. It was a nice change from the outside heat and bright light.

Looking through a dark tunnel with light at the end.

The final stretch of the walk from Windsor to Staines

After the bridge, the trail is quite nice. A lot calmer, a bit of woodland. Not what I was excepting of Staines, and not a bad way to end the walk.

A dirt path lined with masses of green leafy bushes and trees, near the end of the walk from Windsor to Staines.

A wide trail leading towards a small bridge ahead, near the end of the walk from Windsor to Staines. There are trees and bushes on both sides of the trail. And a boat flower pot to the right.

A wide path with a green grass bank to the right and bushes to the left, and trees on both sides ahead.

When you reach the next bridge, go up and over it, and you will enter Staines. To get to the station, go back down along the river (river now on your right).

A wooden Thames Path sign in front of the green leaves of the trees, pointing right.

Looking down to the river with a walkway on the left side and some big buildings. There are numerous white boats moored to the side, and lots of people walking on the walkway.

It was quite nice along here too. Some sculpture, pretty flowers.

Looking along a wooden bridge to a paved path ahead, and houses on the left side and river to the right. There is a person cycling on the path. There and hedges and bushes in front of the houses.

A mirrored swan sculpture on a platform.

You will reach a point where the Thames Path sign tells you to go left to the road. I don’t know why because it seems you can go straight through the gate along the riverside path. There weren’t any signs saying you couldn’t anyway.

When you go under the bridge, a short way further along, you want to go left along Richmond road. At the end, turn right. Then at the next end, turn left. This should lead you to Staines Station.

A wide path leading under a metal bridge with the river to the right, and people walking ahead.

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