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The ruins of the Medieval priory at Ankwerwycke after recent conservation works
The ruins of the medieval St Mary's Priory at Ankerwycke | © NT Archaeology
Surrey

The park circular walk at Ankerwycke

Take a leisurely stroll through the park at Ankerwycke on gentle terrain. It's a perfect walk for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Livestock at Ankerwycke

Please be aware that cattle graze the fields at Ankerwycke on a rotation. They are likely to be curious of you, but not aggressive. Look out for signage on the gates, keep dogs under close control and always take care around livestock.

Total steps: 8

Total steps: 8

Start point

Ankerwycke, Magna Carta Lane, Wraysbury, Staines, TW19 5AG

Step 1

From the car park, make your way through the kissing gate (to your right as you enter the car park), into the meadow. This is known as The Orchard. Once through the gate, turn left and walk along the field boundary. Continue through the farmer's gate, past the small cedar tree. Please be aware these meadows are grazed for most of the year and observe any signs when entering a grazed area.

Step 2

Walking over the boardwalk and through the kissing gate, you are now in Little Day Meadow, and will be facing a large London Plane tree. Turn left here, and walk towards another kissing gate.

Step 3

Go through the kissing gate, across the track to the next kissing gate in front of you. You are now in the park. Walk straight ahead, following the naturally made trail in the grass.

Step 4

The trail here veers round to your right. Continue along this route.

Step 5

Within the line of trees at the other side of the field, you'll see a kissing gate. Go through the gate, and at the path turn right. You are now walking alongside the River Thames.

Step 6

Follow the circular walk trail marker posts as the path bears right. Continue through the kissing gate into Ankerwycke Mead, also known as Black Walnut Mead. Walk through the meadow with the black walnut tree on your left. You'll see a kissing gate in front of you.

Step 7

Go through the gate, and walk along the track through the woods, with the old Fish Ponds on your left.

Step 8

You will come out into a small meadow surrounded by trees, with St Marys Priory on your left and the 2,000-year-old Ankerwycke Yew on your right. Make sure to stop and have a look underneath the canopy of this venerable old giant. Continue on the path, go over a small bridge and into the avenue of grey poplars until you're faced with a large gate. Turn left here, through the kissing gate. You are now back at step 3, where you can now retrace the route back to the car park.

End point

Ankerwycke, Magna Carta Lane, Wraysbury, Staines, TW19 5AG.

Trail map

Ankerwycke trail map
The park circular walk at Ankerwycke | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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