Your ultimate guide to the Savill Garden: discover scenic walks, vibrant blooms, and practical tips for visiting this gem in Windsor Great Park.
Even though the Savill Garden is a part of Windsor Great Park, I think it deserves its own guide. Visiting the gardens is one of the top things to do in Windsor, especially during summer when the flowers are in full bloom. That’s why I wanted to give you the lowdown on everything to do here. And trust me, there’s a lot!
If this is your first time to the Savill Garden, then this guide should really help with planning your visit. From what the highlights of the gardens are, to top questions like whether you can bring your dog, I’ll cover everything.
Because the gardens are pretty big, I would say an average visit takes approximately 2-4 hours, all depending on whether you have lunch or not. Right, let’s take a walk around the gardens, shall we?
What is the Savill Garden?
The Savill Garden is one of the crown jewels of Windsor Great Park, often described as Britain’s finest ornamental gardens. Created in the 1930s by Sir Eric Savill, who was the director of the gardens at the time, they’re a carefully designed mix of natural woodland and luscious landscaped gardens that change beautifully with the seasons.
Covering 35 acres (the equivalent of 26 football pitches), the gardens feature everything from vibrant rose beds and exotic plants, to peaceful woodland walks and lakeside views. Unlike many historic gardens, The Savill Garden feels alive and ever-evolving, with new areas added all the time. It’s a place to escape, explore, and enjoy the beauty of nature – all just a short hop from Windsor.
Another thing I loved about the Savill Garden is the architecture of the main building itself. The sweeping timber roof blends beautifully with the surrounding landscape, making it feel both modern and natural at the same time.
If you’re a local to Windsor, I would say seeing the gardens at least once a year is a must. And for visitors, they really are well worth adding them to your Windsor itinerary!
Map of the Savill Gardens
The map is really useful when planning your visit here because the gardens are split into different zones. Each one has its own look and feel, so you can plan your walk around your favourites – whether that’s the bright rose garden in summer or the quiet woodland paths.
History of the Savill Gardens
The Savill Garden was created in the 1930s at the request of King George V, who wanted a unique ornamental garden within Windsor Great Park. Sir Eric Savill, then the Deputy Surveyor of the park at the time, was tasked with the project. He transformed what was once a quiet woodland glade into a living showcase of horticultural design, blending formal plants with more natural landscapes in a way that was innovative for its time.
For many years, the garden was reserved exclusively for the Royal Family and their guests. That all changed in 1951 when it was opened to the public, quickly gaining a reputation as one of the most beautiful and diverse ornamental gardens in Britain. Over the decades, the gardens have continued to develop, with new areas reflecting changing trends.
The Royal Family has remained closely connected to its development. In 2010, Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the Rose Garden, designed by Andrew Wilson, which has since become one of the highlights of a summer visit. Today, the Savill Garden stands not only as a masterpiece of 20th-century garden design but also as a living, growing legacy of the close ties between Windsor Great Park and the monarchy.
If you’d like to learn more about Windsor Great Park, then check out our comprehensive guide. This is packed full of history, information and advice.
Things to do at The Savill Garden
As I’ve mentioned, one of the best things to do at the Savill Gardens is just immerse yourself in nature and explore the gardens in your own time. When we came here last time, our visit was around 3 hours in total. This was 2 hours walking around the gardens, and 1 hour for lunch and a coffee afterwards.
The gardens themselves aren’t massive. I feel like they were created to be taken at a very leisurely stroll, which is exactly what we did. There’s not so much to see that you have to rush around.
The Rose Garden – A modern circular design bursting with colour and fragrance, this is a real treat for the senses. Honestly, just wait till you smell the roses in full bloom! Best visited in June and July, the garden features a mix of climbing and shrub roses, beautifully arranged in a way your head is constantly swivelling to look at things. There’s a really cool viewing platform in the Rose Garden which I loved too. It features very sharp lines, almost like a thorn coming out the gardens. For me, walking along here and admiring the view was definitely a highlight of my visit.
Queen Elizabeth Temperate House – This stunning glasshouse is packed with ferns tropical plants and an intriguing whirlpool-style water feature. It’s a perfect escape on a cooler day or when the gardens outside are busy. The carefully curated displays make it one of the most unique corners of the gardens.
Spring Wood – This is one of my favourite spots in the gardens. I love that feeling of being completely immersed in nature. Spring Wood is a lovely wooded section on the gardens where you feel completely enclosed by the trees.
The Azalea Walk – A riot of colour in late spring, this part of the garden really comes alive when the azaleas are in full bloom. What makes this spot extra special is the gentle stream and the small lake tucked away among the flowers – the reflections of the azaleas in the water are stunning on a sunny day. It’s a really peaceful corner of the garden, perfect for soaking it all in.
Honestly, you can spend hours wandering from one area to the next. Every section has its own personality and surprises. Stepping into the Savill Gardens really feels like exploring multiple gardens from around the world, all without leaving Windsor.
Adventure Play
One of the newest and most exciting additions to Windsor Great Park is Adventure Play. Tucked away in Autumn Wood near the Savill Garden, this place is an absolute dream for kids. I took my little one here recently and, honestly, I think I enjoyed it just as much as he did (okay, maybe more).
There are rope bridges, slides, treehouses, tunnels – it’s like a mini-forest adventure. It’s split into two areas depending on age, and there’s loads of space to run wild. If you’ve got kids, this is hands down one of the best places in the park.
Tickets cost £16 for children and £12 for adults on weekends, so it’s not the cheapest kid’s activity, but that is for a full two hours of fun.
If you’re looking for a fun day out with the kids, you can check out the best family activities in Windsor to give you some ideas.
Eating at the Savill Garden
The Savill Garden Kitchen – This is the main restaurant at Savill Garden. It serves a seasonal menu with hot and cold lunches, cakes, and afternoon tea too. For our visit, we had the mushroom and truffle soup which was wild and earthy, and we shared a pizza which was delicious. I would say the prices are on the higher side, but the food is good quality. On a sunny day, I’d really recommend grabbing a spot on the terrace – the views across the garden are beautiful.
The Gallery Café – Also in the same building is The Gallery Café. This is a relaxed spot offering breakfast pastries, sandwiches, toasties, quiches, hot drinks, and even cream teas or wine. Kid-friendly lunch boxes are also available. We grabbed a coffee here after we’d finished walking around the gardens.
The Potting Shed – The Potting Shed Café at Savill Garden is a charming grab-and-go spot, perfect for a quick coffee, snack, or light lunch while exploring the gardens. In summer, it serves a selection of ice creams to enjoy as you wander the colourful paths.
Adventure Play Café – Caters specifically to families using the play area serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, and packed lunches within the Adventure Play zone.
The Garden Terrace Barbecue – This is only on weekends from early summer during dry weather. It features locally sourced fare like venison sausages and burgers. I bet this is lovely when then sun is out!
When is the best time to visit?
- Spring (March-May): Rhododendrons, azaleas, and magnolias in full bloom.
- Summer (June-August): Lush herbaceous borders, hydrangeas, and the Rose Garden at its best.
- Autumn: Trees alight with hues of red, orange and yellow. There are still lots of roses too.
- Winter (Nov-Mar): Subtle beauty with the bark of trees, winter blooms, and fragrant daphnes.
How much are tickets?
In advance online | On the day | |
| Adult | £14.50 | £17.50 |
| Carer | Free | Free |
| Child (5-15 years) | £6.50 | £8.50 |
| Toddler (2-4 years) | Free | Free |
You can book your Savill Garden tickets HERE.
FAQ
Is there parking at Savill Gardens? Parking for The Savill Garden is located at its Visitor Centre car park, and is free with a paid entry to the gardens. When arriving, collect a ticket at the car park barrier and have a team member validate it before you leave to avoid paying for parking at the exit. Parking is also free for Members of The Savill Garden and Windsor Great Park.
What are the opening times? Savill Garden is open daily, usually from 9am to 6pm in summer and 9am to 4.30pm in winter (last entry one hour before closing).
Is there accessibility access? Yes, the Savill Garden has excellent accessibility. The main paths are wide, well-paved, and suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Accessible parking is available close to the entrance, and the Visitor Centre (including the café and toilets) is step-free with lifts where needed.
Are children allowed? Absolutely – kids love exploring the different gardens, and Adventure Play is a big hit.
Are dogs allowed? Only assistance dogs are permitted inside Savill Gardens, but dogs are welcome in the wider Windsor Great Park.
Can I bring my own picnic? No, picnics are not permitted within Savill Gardens.
Photos of the Savill Garden
I hope this guide helps with planning your day at The Savill Garden. If you’re looking for more information on this area, don’t miss our detailed guide to visiting Windsor Great Park.
