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Ankerwyke Priory: a Benedictine nunnery with associated moat and fishponds

8 ha

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifeInsects
Free entryDogs welcome8 ha

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦62+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Robin and Blue Tit
  • Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Parking· Paid

Best for

6 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit +59 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland — woodpeckers, warblers and woodland birds

Free

Wildlife

Birds — Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit +59 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland priority habitat

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Harlequin Ladybird, Dock Bug +18 more · last seen 2026; Semi-improved grassland — butterflies and wildflowers

Free

Heritage

Historic site

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Historic gardens

Historic site

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

12 signed routes nearby · 23 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Three Castles PathWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Memorial Route, RunnymedeWalking route3.7 km

This route takes you to all the memorials and artworks at Runnymede, and through the woods to the Commonwealth Airforce Memorial with its lovely views. This route includes some steps and slopes that can be slippery/muddy.

Named routeLength 3.7 kmDuration 01:00Round tripLocal walking route
Egham to Runnymede Countryside Circular Walk, RunnymedeWalking route5.9 km

Wander through woodlands, wetlands & open wildflower meadows home to the birthplace of the Magna Carta. This circular takes you round Runnymede nature reserve, Langham Pond & ancient woodlands, which form a SSSI, for their rare species & the wildflowers

Named routeLength 5.9 kmDuration 02:00Round tripLocal walking route
Colne Valley TrailWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
European walking route E2 west, UK, South East EnglandWalking route

Westroute: Stranraer (UK) - Birminhgham (UK) - Calais (FR) - Zoersel (BE) / Eastroute: Stranraer (UK) - Harwich (UK) - Rotterdam (NL) - Zoersel (BE) / Both Routes: Zoersel (BE) - Maastrich (NL) - Luxembourg (LUX) - Lake Geneva (CH) - Nice (FR)

Named routeRef E2International walking route
Thames Pathpublic footpath · 133 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 133 mSurface asphaltPath type: path
Thames Pathpublic footpath · 789 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 789 mSurface compactedPath type: path
🚴

Cycling

112 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
NCN route 461Cycling route
Named routeRef 461National Cycle Network
Windsor and Maidenhead LCNCycling route
Named routeRef Ascot to WindsorLocal cycle route
Spelthorne LCNCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Round Berkshire Cycle RouteCycling route
Named routeRegional cycle route
Link to National Route 61Cycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
National Cycle Network route 4 Chertsey/Weybridge braidCycling route
Named routeRef 4National Cycle Network

Wildlife to spot

Photos

The ruins of Ankerwycke Priory, near Wraysbury

The ruins of Ankerwycke Priory, near Wraysbury

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