Windsor Castle Park

Description

Located in the heart of charming downtown Smithfield, this 208-acre park offers over three miles of well-marked hiking trails through woodland, open fields, and alongside the tidal Cypress Creek waterfront. A kayak and canoe launch provides opportunity for viewing birds and wildlife from the water and rentals are available seasonally. Those who would prefer to view wildlife without getting on the water will appreciate the impressive series of bridges and overlooks that provide excellent vantage points for viewing the creek, its marshes, and a woodland ravine.

As visitors walk the trails they can expect to see a variety of bird species from songbirds and woodpeckers in the woodlands, to ospreys and bald eagles soaring over the creek for fish, to wading birds along the creek’s edges. Careful observers may spot clapper rail in the marshes or belted kingfisher foraging along the creek. Springtime birders will enjoy seeing a diversity of migrating warblers attracted to the park’s woodlands and wooded edges. In the winter, look for a variety of overwintering waterfowl on the creek. Along Kayak Lane, a series of eastern bluebird nest boxes are maintained by local Virginia Bluebird Society members.

The park is also a haven for wildlife, including several species of turtles and fiddler crabs that can be seen at low tide from the many marsh bridges. White-tailed deer, raccoons, muskrats, and North American river otters have also been observed.

In addition to the birds and wildlife, visitors may also be interested in the park’s historic manor house, Windsor Castle, which was originally part of a 1,450-acre parcel patented in 1637 by Arthur Smith, an ancestor of the town’s founder.

Directions

Three entrances with parking are available.

• Main entrance – 301 Jericho Rd., Smithfield, VA 23430 – turn east on Dan Smith Dr.
• Kayak/ Canoe launch entrance – 301 Jericho Rd., Smithfield, VA 23430 – turn west on Kayak Ln.
• Smithfield Station entrance – 390 S. Church St, Smithfield, VA 23430 (As a courtesy to Smithfield Station customers, please park in the Windsor Castle Park designated section of the parking lot.)

From Rt. 258 in Carrollton, turn right on Main St. in Smithfield (Rt. 258 Business) and continue for 0.3 miles. Turn right onto Underwood Lane for 463 feet. Turn right onto Cedar St for 0.9 miles. Turn left onto Jericho Rd for 0.4 miles and park in approved parking lots on Dan Smith Drive (to east) or Kayak Lane (to west).