The arrival of the Prince and Princess of Wales at Forest Lodge
in Windsor Great Park has prompted an unusual and controversial
curtailment of public access to the surrounding estate, according
to local reports. The newly installed security measures have
restricted access to extensive areas of previously open land,
leaving some residents frustrated and dismayed.
William and Catherine moved into Forest Lodge in November 2025,
earlier than anticipated, citing the property as their long-term
family home. The Georgian-style Grade II-listed residence, which
boasts more than three centuries of history, is understood to be
valued at approximately £16 million and includes extensive grounds
with a paddock, tennis court, and a private lake. The couple’s
three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince
Louis – are expected to benefit from the privacy and space the
estate affords.
Yet the relocation has not been without its local complications.
Approximately 150 acres of woodland and fields surrounding Forest
Lodge, once accessible to walkers, dog owners, and the public at
large, have been closed under the newly enforced security
protocols. The Home Office has reportedly designated a 2.3-mile
personal exclusion zone around the property, with trespassing
within this perimeter now liable to arrest.
Local residents have described the closures as a considerable
disruption to their routines. Tina, who has walked the Cranbourne
Gate route for 15 years, remarked that the changes were sudden and
unexpected. “One morning in September, we discovered that the
fields we had long enjoyed were off-limits,” she said. “It was
disheartening, particularly for those of us who thought the park
was open to the public.”
The Crown Estate issued notification of the closures just days
before they came into effect, citing the need to secure the Prince
and Princess of Wales’ residence. Work on the property prior to the
move – ranging from the planting of hedges to the installation of
fencing, resurfacing of the driveway, and the erection of
surveillance cameras – had hinted at significant changes, residents
noted.
While the exclusion zone has been described officially as
relatively limited, in practice the restrictions have impacted
thousands of acres of parkland, encompassing footpaths and informal
recreational areas. Forest Lodge itself, though part of Windsor
Great Park, does not belong privately to the Royal Family, but the
Crown Estate administers the property on their behalf, allowing for
enhanced security arrangements.
A spokesperson for the estate confirmed that the measures were
“implemented to ensure the safety of the Prince and Princess of
Wales and their children,” emphasising that the protocols align
with standard procedures for members of the Royal Family. They
added that the exclusion zone had been established in accordance
with security assessments and legal frameworks governing public
access.
