Ancient city ruins featuring remarkably preserved Roman architecture, including a 2nd-century amphitheater, forum, basilica, and marketplace, with intricate mosaics and stone carvings, nestled along the North African coast.
The visitors are locked out! I traveled from Germany especially to see the Leptis Magna ruins in Windsor Great Park. It would be even nicer if you could visit the original ancient ruins of Leptis Magna in Libya, but unfortunately Libya is not a safe country to travel to. That's why I'm happy that a small part of the ruins has been brought here. Unfortunately, I discovered that you can only look at them from a distance. The area of the Roman ruins is surrounded by a fence, which is correct. But this fence also surrounds a path in the middle. This path leads through an arch to the rear part. Inexplicably, the gate in front of this path is locked. Since grass is already growing on the path, it seems that this has been the case for a while. What is behind the arch is hardly visible anymore. Why are interested visitors locked out? It cannot be due to safety concerns for the Roman ruins, as they are also protected from the path by a fence. I think it is a bad idea to lock away cultural assets and keep them out of the public eye. From what I found on the Internet, a campaign has been launched to return the ruins to Libya. My opinion on this is that cultural assets should always be visible to interested people. Here in Windsor Great Park, this is even possible without paying an entrance fee. However, the incomprehensible closure of the entrance gate means that the visible area is severely restricted. If they are returned to Libya, these Roman ruins will be hidden from the eyes of most interested people, because it has not been possible to travel there for years. I also think the idea of repatriation is counterproductive. It would be much better to recognize the opportunity offered by these ruins on the much-visited Virginia Water Lake and demand a sign there saying: "Visit the original site of Leptis Magna in Libya ...". Also, use all energy to make Libya a safe travel destination. My rating is based on the fact that this attraction is closed. The Roman ruins with their interesting history deserve 5 stars.
Using some well deserved leave to visit some of the beauty spots around the area. With this location living up to that recommendation. As stated by a previous review, the ruins were actually placed here sometime ago, in which perfectly sit by the Virginia Water Lake. The ruins themselves are quite fascinating, and nice to look at adding to antiquity of this Lake. The walk around the lake itself though, is lovely. Particularly on a sunny day (as it was today for my visit). You can either do a full walk of the lakes (in which approximately is four miles), or smaller walks around the lake. There are a few car parks located around the lake, the largest being to the east. An important note is to add that the car park does not accept cash. It is also pretty cheeky on the price. My walk was around 2hrs, in which cost me PS6.00. Also jotted around the lake is small cafes, ice cream trucks, and food vans. I would recommend this to visit for everyone, if it is for a simple walk around the lakes, or doing some fitness (seeing some joggers out today).
Very unusual Windsor's Great park attraction we discovered while on our visit there - Leptis Magna Roman Ruins. Roman ruins were brought from Libya in 1826. Sadly, the gate was located, so we couldn't come closer, but it was still an amazing experience. There are still lots to see in this beautiful park, so we weren't upset much and spent unforgettable time there. Definitely recommend it!
Had no idea this was here until we got to Windsor Great Park and were walking around the lake. It's such a shame you can't get up close to the ruins anymore but I can see why, they've been damaged in the past. Highly recommend going in the daytime on a weekday to avoid all the crowds if you're after a good photo. Don't forget to read the signs to find out where they came from!
Lovely walk around the lake - perfect weather - great vistas across lake etc. Then the Roman Ruins... odd think of transplanting them from the real Leptis Magna to a fake on the side of the lake - different times. Well put back together - strange to have main road running over on bridge. Car parking a bit of a mess and less than well explained - we eventually left...
Interesting to see, but these are *not* Roman ruins - they are a Victorian folly. The materials were recovered from the ancient Roman city of Leptis Magna in present day Libya, but this specific site was not built by Romans in England. While building material does date to about 1 AD, this site in Virginia Water was created in 1826. This should be in the description as it's misleading and many people would have come from far away only to find out it's not an authentic ancient site.
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Good for kids
Hello! I'm your AI guide for Roman Ruins Leptis Magna Ruins. I can help you with information about this attraction, including its history, best times to visit, and tips for your visit. What would you like to know?
Discover hotels in 5 Waterfall Cl, Virginia Water GU25 4QD
Searching for hotels...
The visitors are locked out! I traveled from Germany especially to see the Leptis Magna ruins in Windsor Great Park. It would be even nicer if you could visit the original ancient ruins of Leptis Magna in Libya, but unfortunately Libya is not a safe country to travel to. That's why I'm happy that a small part of the ruins has been brought here. Unfortunately, I discovered that you can only look at them from a distance. The area of the Roman ruins is surrounded by a fence, which is correct. But this fence also surrounds a path in the middle. This path leads through an arch to the rear part. Inexplicably, the gate in front of this path is locked. Since grass is already growing on the path, it seems that this has been the case for a while. What is behind the arch is hardly visible anymore. Why are interested visitors locked out? It cannot be due to safety concerns for the Roman ruins, as they are also protected from the path by a fence. I think it is a bad idea to lock away cultural assets and keep them out of the public eye. From what I found on the Internet, a campaign has been launched to return the ruins to Libya. My opinion on this is that cultural assets should always be visible to interested people. Here in Windsor Great Park, this is even possible without paying an entrance fee. However, the incomprehensible closure of the entrance gate means that the visible area is severely restricted. If they are returned to Libya, these Roman ruins will be hidden from the eyes of most interested people, because it has not been possible to travel there for years. I also think the idea of repatriation is counterproductive. It would be much better to recognize the opportunity offered by these ruins on the much-visited Virginia Water Lake and demand a sign there saying: "Visit the original site of Leptis Magna in Libya ...". Also, use all energy to make Libya a safe travel destination. My rating is based on the fact that this attraction is closed. The Roman ruins with their interesting history deserve 5 stars.
Using some well deserved leave to visit some of the beauty spots around the area. With this location living up to that recommendation. As stated by a previous review, the ruins were actually placed here sometime ago, in which perfectly sit by the Virginia Water Lake. The ruins themselves are quite fascinating, and nice to look at adding to antiquity of this Lake. The walk around the lake itself though, is lovely. Particularly on a sunny day (as it was today for my visit). You can either do a full walk of the lakes (in which approximately is four miles), or smaller walks around the lake. There are a few car parks located around the lake, the largest being to the east. An important note is to add that the car park does not accept cash. It is also pretty cheeky on the price. My walk was around 2hrs, in which cost me PS6.00. Also jotted around the lake is small cafes, ice cream trucks, and food vans. I would recommend this to visit for everyone, if it is for a simple walk around the lakes, or doing some fitness (seeing some joggers out today).
Very unusual Windsor's Great park attraction we discovered while on our visit there - Leptis Magna Roman Ruins. Roman ruins were brought from Libya in 1826. Sadly, the gate was located, so we couldn't come closer, but it was still an amazing experience. There are still lots to see in this beautiful park, so we weren't upset much and spent unforgettable time there. Definitely recommend it!
Had no idea this was here until we got to Windsor Great Park and were walking around the lake. It's such a shame you can't get up close to the ruins anymore but I can see why, they've been damaged in the past. Highly recommend going in the daytime on a weekday to avoid all the crowds if you're after a good photo. Don't forget to read the signs to find out where they came from!
Lovely walk around the lake - perfect weather - great vistas across lake etc. Then the Roman Ruins... odd think of transplanting them from the real Leptis Magna to a fake on the side of the lake - different times. Well put back together - strange to have main road running over on bridge. Car parking a bit of a mess and less than well explained - we eventually left...
Interesting to see, but these are *not* Roman ruins - they are a Victorian folly. The materials were recovered from the ancient Roman city of Leptis Magna in present day Libya, but this specific site was not built by Romans in England. While building material does date to about 1 AD, this site in Virginia Water was created in 1826. This should be in the description as it's misleading and many people would have come from far away only to find out it's not an authentic ancient site.
