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Why we love Windsor

Lovers of The Crown can wrap themselves in royalty as this town is about as regal as it gets. Windsor Castle, an official residence for 40 monarchs, pulls out all the royal stops - but there’s plenty more to discover. Take a tour of perhaps the most famous public school in Britain - Eton. Discover its racecourse and buy a hat for Royal Ascot. Explore England’s shortest street and sample numerous restaurants and atmospheric pubs. Tour its royal-themed brewery or take in the nearby River Thames by paddleboard and see Britain’s only swans to get their own census. And for those who dare, Bray Lake is home to a bungee jumper’s paradise. Windsor is an easy day out from London, or an idyllic base for explore the surrounding Berkshire countryside.

Things to do in Windsor

Walk through 1,000 years of history at Windsor Castle, exploring its opulent state rooms and superb royal artefacts.

Book tickets to Windsor Castle

Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2022

Visitors with ice cream, Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle

From rollercoasters and rides for all ages, to world icons made entirely from LEGO, this action-packed theme park has it all.

Get your LEGOLAND Windsor Resort tickets

West Midlands Growth Company

Mother, father and son laughing whilst playing with Lego
LEGOLAND Windsor Resort

Take a stroll on the famous Long Walk, or go deer-spotting in the meadows and woodlands – all with great views of Windsor Castle.

Discover Windsor Great Park

gpmum01

A couple walking towards Windsor Castle on the Long Walk in the Great Park
Windsor Great Park

A true work of art, this estate features 35 acres of individual gardens – all planted and preened to perfection.

Step into The Savill Garden

inca_theboxer

A woman holding a dog in front of a lake in Savill Garden, Windsor
The Savill Garden

Ascot famously hosts some of Britain’s top horse races, but look out for live music, festivals and Christmas parties too.

Live the high life at Ascot Racecourse

VisitBritain

Big group of spectators watching race. Racehorses galloping
Ascot Racecourse

This gallery and shop presents artworks by the likes of Bob Dylan, Billy Connolly and Ronnie Wood.

Discover Castle Fine Art Windsor

Castle Fine Art

Windsor, England

Art on display at Castle Fine Art Windsor
Castle Fine Art Windsor

Explore on a guided tour – or hire a canoe, paddleboard or kayak for an independent adventure.

Discover Canoe and Kayak Adventures

Canoe and Kayak Tours

Windsor, England

Two people on a kayak posing for a photo on the River Thames
Canoe and Kayak Adventures

Discover art by renowned contemporary painter Stanley Spencer, in the beautiful village of Cookham.

https://stanleyspencer.org.uk/

Stanley Spencer Gallery

Windsor, England

A man reading a book in the Stanley Spencer Gallery in Windsor
The Stanley Spencer Gallery

Art in the Garden

3rd September - 31st October 2023

Every autumn, Windsor’s Savill Garden transforms into an outdoor gallery, filled with striking sculptures and installations.

More about Art in the Garden

The Crown Estate

Windsor, England

Two women walking through the Savill Garden in Windsor
Art in the Garden

This exquisite restaurant holds three Michelin Stars, and is run by celebrated chef Alain Roux.

Book Waterside Inn

Jamie Lau

Windsor, England

People eating and drinking at the Waterside Inn in Windsor
Waterside Inn

Calling all chocoholics! This cocoa-filled emporium offers chocolate-tasting events and hands-on workshops.

Visit Dr Choc's Windsor Chocolate Factory

Dr Choc Windsor Chocolate Factory

Windsor, England

Staff posing outside Dr Choc's Windsor Chocolate Factory
Dr Choc's Windsor Chocolate Factory

This iconic royal artwork presides over sightseers, shoppers and Windsor’s changing of the guard ceremony.

See the Queen Victoria Statue

The Crown Estate

Windsor, England

A statue of Queen Victoria outside Windsor Castle
Queen Victoria Statue

Alongside its famous college, Eton features a charming medley of antique bookshops and gift shops.

More about Eton

The Crown Estate

Windsor, England

A view of Eton Bridge, crossing the River Thames in Windsor
Eton

Founded in 1849, this unique sightseeing company offers horse-drawn tours of Windsor Great Park.

Book Windsor Carriages

Windsor Carriages

Windsor, England

A couple in a carriage looking down the Long Walk in Windsor
Windsor Carriages

This theatre is over 100 years old, but its events and entertainment line-up is bang up to date.

What’s on at Theatre Royal Windsor

Theatre Royal Windsor

Windsor, England

An audience watching a performance in the Theatre Royal in Windsor
Theatre Royal Windsor

Windsor Festival

16th September - 1st October 2023

This vibrant cultural celebration includes classical music concerts, guided tours and talks by famous authors.

Be inspired by Windsor Festival

The Crown Estate

Windsor, England

An orchestra performing on stage as part of Windsor Festival
Windsor Festival

The opulent Cliveden House hosts this star-studded annual gathering of celebrated writers and authors.

Read more about Cliveden Literary Festival

National Trust Images/Hugh Mothersole. All rights reserved

The Parterre at Cliveden, Buckinghamshire
Cliveden Literary Festival

Home to one of the loveliest stretches of the River Thames, this charming village has a strong cultural heritage.

Tour Cookham

The Crown Estate

Cookham, England

An exterior view of a church in Cookham, Berkshire
Cookham

You might recognise this Tudor house: it has appeared in Bridgerton, Midsomer Murders and more.

What’s on at Dorney Court

Dorney Court

Tall plants in the gardens of Dorney Court, Windsor
Dorney Court

Browse craft shops, fashion boutiques, jewellers and second-hand stores in this central shopping area.

Get to know Windsor Yards

The Crown Estate

Windsor, England

An overhead view of Windsor Yards in the town centre
Windsor Yards

Choose from flavours such as lemon sherbet, whisky and Eton mess, or try a fudge-making workshop.

Explore Fudge Kitchen

The Fudge Kitchen

A member of staff posing outside the Fudge Kitchen in Windsor
Fudge Kitchen

This boutique restaurant chain is renowned for its delicious Thai food and Instagram-worthy décor.

Dine at Giggling Squid

The Giggling Squid

Windsor, England

An interior view of the Giggling Squid in Windsor
Giggling Squid

Walk through 1,000 years of history at Windsor Castle, exploring its opulent state rooms and superb royal artefacts.

Book tickets to Windsor Castle

Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2022

Visitors with ice cream, Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle

From rollercoasters and rides for all ages, to world icons made entirely from LEGO, this action-packed theme park has it all.

Get your LEGOLAND Windsor Resort tickets

West Midlands Growth Company

Mother, father and son laughing whilst playing with Lego
LEGOLAND Windsor Resort

Take a stroll on the famous Long Walk, or go deer-spotting in the meadows and woodlands – all with great views of Windsor Castle.

Discover Windsor Great Park

gpmum01

A couple walking towards Windsor Castle on the Long Walk in the Great Park
Windsor Great Park

A true work of art, this estate features 35 acres of individual gardens – all planted and preened to perfection.

Step into The Savill Garden

inca_theboxer

A woman holding a dog in front of a lake in Savill Garden, Windsor
The Savill Garden

Ascot famously hosts some of Britain’s top horse races, but look out for live music, festivals and Christmas parties too.

Live the high life at Ascot Racecourse

VisitBritain

Big group of spectators watching race. Racehorses galloping
Ascot Racecourse

This gallery and shop presents artworks by the likes of Bob Dylan, Billy Connolly and Ronnie Wood.

Discover Castle Fine Art Windsor

Castle Fine Art

Windsor, England

Art on display at Castle Fine Art Windsor
Castle Fine Art Windsor

Explore on a guided tour – or hire a canoe, paddleboard or kayak for an independent adventure.

Discover Canoe and Kayak Adventures

Canoe and Kayak Tours

Windsor, England

Two people on a kayak posing for a photo on the River Thames
Canoe and Kayak Adventures

Discover art by renowned contemporary painter Stanley Spencer, in the beautiful village of Cookham.

https://stanleyspencer.org.uk/

Stanley Spencer Gallery

Windsor, England

A man reading a book in the Stanley Spencer Gallery in Windsor
The Stanley Spencer Gallery

Art in the Garden

3rd September - 31st October 2023

Every autumn, Windsor’s Savill Garden transforms into an outdoor gallery, filled with striking sculptures and installations.

More about Art in the Garden

The Crown Estate

Windsor, England

Two women walking through the Savill Garden in Windsor
Art in the Garden

This exquisite restaurant holds three Michelin Stars, and is run by celebrated chef Alain Roux.

Book Waterside Inn

Jamie Lau

Windsor, England

People eating and drinking at the Waterside Inn in Windsor
Waterside Inn

Calling all chocoholics! This cocoa-filled emporium offers chocolate-tasting events and hands-on workshops.

Visit Dr Choc's Windsor Chocolate Factory

Dr Choc Windsor Chocolate Factory

Windsor, England

Staff posing outside Dr Choc's Windsor Chocolate Factory
Dr Choc's Windsor Chocolate Factory

This iconic royal artwork presides over sightseers, shoppers and Windsor’s changing of the guard ceremony.

See the Queen Victoria Statue

The Crown Estate

Windsor, England

A statue of Queen Victoria outside Windsor Castle
Queen Victoria Statue

Alongside its famous college, Eton features a charming medley of antique bookshops and gift shops.

More about Eton

The Crown Estate

Windsor, England

A view of Eton Bridge, crossing the River Thames in Windsor
Eton

Founded in 1849, this unique sightseeing company offers horse-drawn tours of Windsor Great Park.

Book Windsor Carriages

Windsor Carriages

Windsor, England

A couple in a carriage looking down the Long Walk in Windsor
Windsor Carriages

This theatre is over 100 years old, but its events and entertainment line-up is bang up to date.

What’s on at Theatre Royal Windsor

Theatre Royal Windsor

Windsor, England

An audience watching a performance in the Theatre Royal in Windsor
Theatre Royal Windsor

Windsor Festival

16th September - 1st October 2023

This vibrant cultural celebration includes classical music concerts, guided tours and talks by famous authors.

Be inspired by Windsor Festival

The Crown Estate

Windsor, England

An orchestra performing on stage as part of Windsor Festival
Windsor Festival

The opulent Cliveden House hosts this star-studded annual gathering of celebrated writers and authors.

Read more about Cliveden Literary Festival

National Trust Images/Hugh Mothersole. All rights reserved

The Parterre at Cliveden, Buckinghamshire
Cliveden Literary Festival

Home to one of the loveliest stretches of the River Thames, this charming village has a strong cultural heritage.

Tour Cookham

The Crown Estate

Cookham, England

An exterior view of a church in Cookham, Berkshire
Cookham

You might recognise this Tudor house: it has appeared in Bridgerton, Midsomer Murders and more.

What’s on at Dorney Court

Dorney Court

Tall plants in the gardens of Dorney Court, Windsor
Dorney Court

Browse craft shops, fashion boutiques, jewellers and second-hand stores in this central shopping area.

Get to know Windsor Yards

The Crown Estate

Windsor, England

An overhead view of Windsor Yards in the town centre
Windsor Yards

Choose from flavours such as lemon sherbet, whisky and Eton mess, or try a fudge-making workshop.

Explore Fudge Kitchen

The Fudge Kitchen

A member of staff posing outside the Fudge Kitchen in Windsor
Fudge Kitchen

This boutique restaurant chain is renowned for its delicious Thai food and Instagram-worthy décor.

Dine at Giggling Squid

The Giggling Squid

Windsor, England

An interior view of the Giggling Squid in Windsor
Giggling Squid

Places to stay in Windsor

The town centre

You’ll find a range of hotels in the centre of Windsor, including several offering views of Windsor Castle and the River Thames.

Monkey Island

Check out the Monkey Island Estate on a private island in Bray for a luxurious hotel experience.

Riverside towns

For beautiful riverside towns there’s Marlow, Cliveden (for 17th century Cliveden House) or Henley all within half an hour of Windsor. The Runnymede on Thames hotel is on the bank of the River Thames and is just ten minutes from Windsor.

Explore nearby

An unmissable destination for travellers, London is a melting pot of history, culture and green spaces.

VisitBritain/Hazel Parreno

Picadilly Circus underground station

Just an hour by train from London and you’re in the city of dreaming spires.

VisitBritain/Jess Barfield

Two boys playing on a path in front of a palace

Getting to Windsor

Windsor is under 10 miles from London Heathrow Airport. It’s a 15-minute taxi journey. Direct trains from London Paddington and Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Central Station take about 40 minutes. Trains to Windsor & Eton Riverside take an extra 10 minutes but both stations are a short walk to Windsor Castle. A coach also travels from London Victoria and take just over an hour.

Getting around Windsor

By foot

Windsor is best explored on foot to take in the shopping, the historic sites and architecture and the college. The shopping areas are pedestrianised.

The Royal Windsor Information Centre has a range of brochures and guides to help you plan your trip.

By water

Windsor Duck Tours run a road and river sightseeing tour, providing a unique way to see the main Windsor attractions.

By bus

First Bus and Courtney Buses provide regular services in Windsor to surrounding towns including Slough, Maidenhead and Heathrow Airport. Both companies accept contactless and cash payments.

By taxi

You’ll find a taxi rank on Thames Street in front of Windsor Castle.

Want to know more?

Check out the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead for top insider tips and inspiration.