The eyes of the world focused on Windsor this summer – and, for sure, this magnificently historic area must have benefited in many senses from Harry and Meghan fervor. This pleasant town’s streets, its good choice of restaurants, its lovely surroundings and its hunting history all enjoyed publicity spotlights. If you didn’t know before the Royal Wedding that Windsor is a very desirable place in which to live, the chances are that you do now.
It was the month before the crowds flocked to Windsor from around the world that we spent a couple of days here, at this residential park a few minutes’ drive from the town.
Warfield Park was once part of Windsor Great Park and retains the tall-tree magnificence of ancient parkland. This is a large park home estate, yet it somehow manages to retain a small estate feel – that’s down to the layout, with homes in cul-de-sacs and avenues that create enclaves of seclusion.
It’s an extraordinary place, a veritable village in size, with homes set in large plots. Most of the park homes are owned; there are 75 rental homes. That’s one aspect that makes Warfield Park exceptional. Many of the people who
rent homes here go on to buy on the park. Another feature which makes Warfield so very different is that there is no age restriction.
And there’s more. The ‘hub’ of village life is the park’s thriving Community Centre. Activities organised here, by residents themselves, include fitness classes, table tennis, line dancing, winter and summer fêtes and even a Christmas celebration involving Father Christmas (a resident, of course!) arriving on a sleigh.
Warfield Park extends to 176 acres. Homes are sited on 92 acres; around 900 people live here. Yet there’s a quiet seclusion about this park; walking around it, as we did, you feel every area is very individual and it certainly doesn’t feel like a large estate. A contributing factor to the individuality of areas is the amount of open space and attractive garden areas created on corners.
Exploring the many facets of the park, we discover a large lawned area with a floral centre and entrance and newly-planted saplings. An area for dog-walking, perhaps.
A development of 82 properties is due to begin around the end of 2018. The first phase will bring 32 homes to the park.
Like the well-established areas of Warfield, the development will involve new trees as well as making use of the natural woodland setting. There will be lots of ponds in gardens on the estate.
Warfield Park
Bracknell, Berkshire RG42 3RG
warfieldpark.co.uk
01344 884666