Forest Lodge move sparks anger as public access is permanently restricted
William and Catherine are moving closer to settling into their long-term home, Forest Lodge, as work on the property reaches its final stages. The eight-bedroom house, tucked inside Great Windsor Park, has been undergoing extensive renovations, paid for by the couple themselves.
But ahead of the move, a new set of rules has stirred frustration among locals. To address security concerns for the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, authorities are designating part of the park as a permanent exclusion zone.
The restricted area covers around 150 acres with a 2.3-mile perimeter. Once in place, residents will lose access to the land they have been free to enjoy for decades. A formal notice explains that “access via Cranbourne Gate will permanently cease” and trespassers will face arrest under Home Office measures.
The decision has divided opinion. Some neighbours admit the safety of the royal family must come first, but others feel deeply let down. “Many of us have been walking our dogs here for 20 years so to be told we can’t any more is a kick in the teeth,” one Winkfield resident told The Sun, noting that locals pay £110 each year towards the park’s upkeep.
Another resident, Tom from Maidenhead, called the move “disappointing” but added he “completely understands the safety of William, Kate and their family is paramount.”
