No, not Windsor Castle in England. This Windsor Castle is located in our little town of Smithfield.
It was the plantation home of Arthur Smith, the founder of the town. Now the property is a waterfront park with picnic areas, kayak rentals and fishing docks. It also features walking trails and a dog park. One day last week, I walked the easy less challenging half of the trail, which takes about 30 minutes. And I took my camera.
This is one of the many walkways over the surrounding marsh area. They’re quite impressive, both from a distance, and as you’re walking them.
My favorite sections of the trail are those that take you along the Cypress Creek.
The trail’s design is anything but boring. If it isn’t winding through wooded areas, or along the creek, there are s-turns to navigate.
This is Windsor Castle, the manor house. It’s situated on a hill and is visible from the street, but this provides a much closer view.
The flowering dogwood is Virginia’s state tree. There are many on the grounds at Windsor Castle, and this time of year, they add to the beauty of the park.
Some of Smithfield’s other historic homes are visible from Windsor Castle.
No plantation is complete without barns, and tomorrow, I’ll share those for Barn Charm Tuesday.
these days of mine 
Very beautiful place to walk! I adore all of those s curves…adds so much interest to the landscape. Will really be wonderful as the trees mature.
Oh, Dianna! How have I managed to miss this? I grew up so close and still have never heard of it! Well, now it is on my list of places to go…loved those s-curves on the path! Looks beautiful!
What a beautiful property! Love that trail – very artistically laid out……….pretty house too.
Pam and Sam
My favorite part is along the creek as well, so much in fact that most walks I walk the creek path and turn around and walk back the creek path. So blessed to be so near such a beautiful walking park.
Lovely place to walk! I would love to do my heart healthy walk every day there 🙂
We live along our own Cypress Creek! Lovely trail, lovely park, beautiful castle of a home and the dogwoods seem to liven things up after winter. I wonder what the barn looks like?
Wish we’d done the Cypress Creek walk when I was over a couple of years ago! Beautiful.
Wish we’d ‘walked’ the Cypress Creek path when I was over a couple of years ago. Beautiful!
Oh – SOOOO lovely! I’ve got to branch out and discover more places to walk around here…I know there must be pretty (and historic) places like this! It really is enjoyable to share pieces of history with you!
I would love to walk that path! 🙂
love the wind-y trail. 🙂
Well, I haven’t walked it yet, and these are the first images I’ve seen of the park. Windsor Castle house is great, and I’m really looking forward to the post tomorrow 😉
What a lovely picture story! Don’t forget to add my favorite part of the park…the amazing floating dock where I can paddle right up onto it from the river for a lunch break! We also have a nice big dog park under shady trees.
Such a beautiful place. So serene. I can imagine having a lovely walk there.
Thank you for sharing your refreshing walk with us. Windsor Castle certainly is a majestic place full of beautiful sites to see. 🙂
What a beautiful place to walk! I’d probably be more motivated to walk if I had access to such a place. On second thought, my laziness would more than likely win out. 😀
This is such a lovely place. Great pics.
Dianna, how lovely. This must have opened after I left Smithfield. Where is the park located in town? We would love to ride over and go sometme.
I love the winding path…
You’ve found another treasure! I didn’t know there was a park there.