Windsor

Windsor is a small royal town on the River Thames in Berkshire, about 22 miles (35 km) west of central London. It grew up around Windsor Castle, which William the Conqueror began building here in the 11th century, and the castle still dominates the town today as the oldest and largest continuously occupied royal residence in the world.

Just across the Thames sits Eton, home to the famous Eton College, founded in 1440 and one of Britain's most storied schools. The two towns share the river and a strong sense of history, with cobbled streets, antique shops and centuries-old pubs sitting alongside gift shops built up around the tourist trade.

Windsor is compact enough to see in a single day trip from London, but its mix of royal history, riverside walks, Windsor Great Park and the nearby LEGOLAND theme park make it easy to fill two days if time allows.

Windsor shares the UK's temperate maritime climate - mild throughout the year with no real extremes, but rain is a possibility in any season.

Spring & Summer (April–August)

The most popular season, with the longest days and the best chance of dry, pleasant weather for walking Windsor Great Park, the Long Walk and the riverside. Summer temperatures typically sit in the high teens to low 20s°C.

Autumn (September–November)

Cooler and often quieter than summer, with the park's woodland turning golden - a good period for a calmer visit with fewer crowds at the castle.

Winter (December–March)

Mild but wet and often overcast, with shorter daylight hours; the castle's State Apartments look particularly atmospheric on a frosty morning, and December brings festive lights and markets to the town.

• Best for reliable weather and outdoor walks: May–August
• Best for smaller crowds: autumn and winter weekdays
• Pack for rain regardless of season

Windsor has no airport of its own and is best reached from London, making it one of the most popular day trips from the capital. There are two train stations in town - Windsor & Eton Central and Windsor & Eton Riverside - served by two different London terminals.

From London Paddington, trains run to Windsor & Eton Central with a change at Slough; including the change, the full journey typically takes around 30–50 minutes. From London Waterloo, a direct train runs to Windsor & Eton Riverside with no change required, taking roughly 55 minutes to just over an hour. Both stations sit within about a 5–10 minute walk of Windsor Castle.

A National Express coach also runs from London Victoria Coach Station to Windsor, though it typically takes an hour and a half to two hours depending on traffic - slower than the train but sometimes cheaper. Driving is possible via the M4 motorway, though parking in central Windsor fills up quickly, especially on weekends.

Windsor's town centre is small and entirely walkable - the castle, High Street, riverside and both train stations are all within a short stroll of each other.

• Eton and Eton College are a short walk across the Thames via Windsor Bridge, an easy add-on to a castle visit.
• River boat trips run from the town centre along the Thames, passing the castle, Eton College and Windsor Racecourse - a relaxed way to see the area from the water.
• Hop-on, hop-off open-top bus tours cover Windsor, Eton and the approach to Windsor Great Park for visitors who'd rather not walk everything.
• For LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, a short distance from the town centre, a dedicated shuttle bus and well-signed road access make a car unnecessary for most visitors.

Windsor's attractions are dense and largely walkable from the town centre, blending royal history with riverside leisure.

Windsor Castle

The town's centerpiece and the world's oldest and largest occupied castle, a working royal residence for over 900 years. Highlights include the lavish State Apartments, Queen Mary's Dolls' House, and St George's Chapel, burial place of several monarchs. The Changing of the Guard ceremony draws crowds on the days it takes place, and the castle is closed to visitors on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Eton College

Just across the river, Eton College has educated generations of politicians, writers and royalty since 1440. Tours take in the historic Cloisters, the Chapel, and the School Yard, with additional museum access on select days.

LEGOLAND Windsor Resort

One of the UK's most visited theme parks, with over 55 rides and attractions built around LEGO themes, including the detailed Miniland model displays, spread across 150 acres just outside town - a strong pick for families with children.

River Thames & Alexandra Gardens

A gentle riverside footpath runs along the Thames through Alexandra Gardens, a traditional Victorian park good for a stroll, feeding the swans, or watching rowing boats - and the starting point for most of Windsor's river cruises.

Windsor & Royal Borough Museum

A free local museum covering the area's history across themes including settlement, military history, aeronautical heritage and childhood - a good rainy-day option in the town centre.

Windsor Old Town & High Street

The streets around the castle entrance are lined with independent shops, antique dealers and cafés, with plenty of historic architecture dating from the medieval period onward.

Windsor Great Park is a former royal hunting ground covering more than 4,000 acres just south of town, and one of the best reasons to extend a Windsor visit beyond a half-day.

The Long Walk

A dead-straight, tree-lined avenue running nearly three miles from Windsor Castle into the park, offering some of the best views back toward the castle and a popular route for walking, running or cycling.

The Savill Garden

A landscaped woodland garden within the park, known for its seasonal color, particularly rhododendrons and azaleas in late spring.

Virginia Water

A large ornamental lake within the park with waterside walking paths, a popular spot for a longer, more peaceful walk away from the town center.

The park is also home to a red deer enclosure, formal gardens, and Adventure Play, a hand-built adventure playground - making it a strong option for families as well as walkers.

Windsor's dining scene ranges from traditional English pubs to riverside restaurants with castle views, reflecting its mix of royal-town formality and everyday small-town charm.

• Historic pubs are scattered throughout the old town, several dating back centuries, and are a good bet for a classic pub lunch or Sunday roast.
• Riverside restaurants along the Thames, particularly near Alexandra Gardens, offer views of the castle and passing boats alongside their menus.
• Afternoon tea is a popular option in Windsor, in keeping with the town's royal associations, with several hotels and tearooms offering the full spread.
• The High Street and streets around the castle entrance are well stocked with cafés and casual spots for a quick bite between sightseeing.

Town Centre

The most convenient base, putting the castle, High Street, riverside and both train stations within easy walking distance - ideal for a short visit focused on Windsor itself.

Riverside

Hotels along the Thames offer castle views and a quieter setting in the evening, still close enough to walk into town.

Near LEGOLAND

Families visiting primarily for the theme park often base themselves closer to LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, including its on-site themed hotel, trading town-center convenience for shorter park transfers.

Windsor's location just west of London makes it a natural stop on a wider day-trip itinerary, or a base for exploring nearby sights.

Runnymede

The meadow where the Magna Carta was signed in 1215, just a few miles from Windsor along the Thames, with memorials and riverside walking trails.

Ascot Racecourse

One of Britain's most famous horse-racing venues, a short drive from Windsor and home to the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting each June.

London

With trains taking well under an hour from either Windsor station, a day trip into central London for its major sights is easily combined with a Windsor visit in either direction.

Oxford & Bath

Both are popular add-ons for visitors combining Windsor into a longer day-trip circuit from London, typically visited as part of an organized tour given the additional driving distance involved.

Windsor is a popular tourist town and prices reflect that, particularly close to the castle, though it remains cheaper overall than central London.

• Windsor Castle, Eton College and LEGOLAND all charge separate admission; booking tickets in advance online is generally cheaper than paying on the day.
• Free options include walking Windsor Great Park, the Long Walk, Alexandra Gardens, and the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum.
• Train fares from London vary by route and time of day - advance and off-peak tickets are noticeably cheaper than walk-up fares, and note that London Oyster cards and contactless are not valid on Windsor rail services.
• Dining costs rise close to the castle and riverside; the streets slightly further from the main sights tend to offer better value.

Windsor is a generally safe, low-key town and a popular destination for families and solo travelers alike.

• The town centre gets very busy with day-trippers and tour groups, especially on Changing of the Guard days and weekends - allow extra time to move through crowded areas near the castle.
• As in the rest of the UK, weather can turn wet with little notice, so a rain layer is worth carrying regardless of the forecast.
• Windsor Great Park is large and quiet in parts - stick to marked paths, especially later in the day or in winter when light fades early.
• The emergency number across the UK is 999, or 112, both connecting to police, ambulance and fire services.

As a working royal residence and a town built around its royal heritage, Windsor carries a slightly more formal edge than a typical UK day-trip destination.

• Windsor Castle does not enforce a strict dress code, but smart casual clothing is recommended, and hats should be removed inside St George's Chapel out of respect.
• Large bags are not permitted inside the castle, so it's worth packing light before arriving.
• Tipping around 10–12.5% is standard at sit-down restaurants, though it's often already added as a service charge - check the bill before tipping again.
• As with the rest of the UK, queuing is expected and taken seriously, particularly for castle entry and the Changing of the Guard viewing areas.