Windsor is dominated by the fabulous, medieval Windsor Castle built by William the Conqueror. It sits atop a hill and is a beautiful backdrop to your visit. The architecture in the rest of the town is also stunning, with lots of stylish shops, restaurants and bars – the social life is really buzzing with locals and tourists alike. The High Street closest to the Castle boasts cobbled streets with quaint cafes and shops and some fabulous eateries, there is also the amazing Crooked House and Sir Christopher Wren’s Guildhall where Charles and Camilla were married. Walking down the hill you will pass by our lovely Theatre Royal and on down to Windsor Bridge which straddles the River Thames and leads you on into Eton High Street.
There is so much to do and see in Windsor you will be hard pushed to squeeze it all in on an overnight stay.
Here you will marvel at the beautiful buildings, interesting window displays and charming cottages tucked down quaint alleyways. Every other shop is an art gallery. Eton is also home to the world-famous boys’ school and you will see them running to classes in their distinctive uniforms. You can wander past and soak in the atmosphere or book a tour if you don’t want to miss out on the history and interiors of this fabulous public school.
Heading back to Windsor you can turn right once you’ve crossed over the bridge and meander along the River Thames. Her Majesty’s swans will swim alongside you as you stroll, in the hope of catching a few crumbs (you can purchase appropriate food for the swans and ducks from local cafes along the route). There are a couple of different boat companies, French Brothers and Bateaux Windsor which will take you on either short or longer cruises and you can also book afternoon tea or dine while you head along the Thames in either direction. The scenery is stunning. You can also book Windsor’s very own amphibious Duck Tour which will not only show you the best sights that the river has to offer but also drive you past the highlights of Windsor and Datchet by road.
If you want to squeeze in as much of the town as possible without wearing out your shoes, the wonderful open top Hop on and Off Bus Tours are also great value for money and will take you around both Windsor & Eton for the full experience of the town – you can catch these buses at various points around Windsor but the starting point is located at the top of Peascod Street next to Queen Victoria’s statue.
Two of the UK’s most popular tourist attractions are based in Windsor – that is Legoland Windsor and Windsor Castle.
If you come to Windsor, you really must visit the Castle. Said to be one of Elizabeth II’s favourite residences, it has hosted many royal weddings and we are super excited about Harry & Meghan’s forthcoming wedding which will take place in the stunning St George’s chapel in May 2018. A visit to the Castle is amazing value for money (free for locals) and brimming with history. King George VI and the Queen Mother are buried and Princess Margaret’s ashes are also here with both her parents. Within the Castle walls you will be delighted by the marching guards, stunning cottages, round tower, views of surrounding park land and formal gardens. There are also regular exhibitions to attend, Queen Anne’s dolls house and the state apartments to marvel over. Before the fire in 1997, visitors could walk around the Castle grounds without a ticket and as a child I remember paying just 10 pence to visit the dolls house!
The Castle is situated at the end of the Long Walk and if you’re feeling fit you can follow this all the way through Windsor Great Park to the Copper Horse statue. It is not unusual to see herds of deer along the way. Windsor is surrounded by the Great Park which is around 5,000 acres in total and dates from the 13th Century when it was the hunting ground for the Castle. You can park in many different areas to appreciate it’s beauty, most is free to access but you will need to pay for parking. Virginia Water Lake, located just 4 miles outside of Windsor within the Great Park is a stunning area for walkers and cyclists. Very popular with joggers, cycling clubs and weekend dog walkers, it can get busy on the main pathways but there are so many routes to follow you can easily leave the crowds behind. My regular Sunday morning walk with my sisters and our dogs takes in the Lake, the Totem Pole, Smith’s Lawn, the Heather Gardens, the Punch Bowl and many other seasonal delights. If you are dog free you can also visit the wonderful Savill Gardens and enjoy lunch and shopping at the design-winning Savill Gardens Building. Free entry during December and January.
Whether a weekend visitor or staying in the town longer term, there is so much to explore in Windsor, Eton and the surrounding areas, you will soon be madly in love with this area. With amazing state and private schools on it’s doorstep, tonnes of employment, easy access to London, motorways, major airports and train routes it is ideally located for work, couples, families and those looking to retire. If you would like to arrange overnight, short term or long term accommodation or you are looking to relocate to the area, please do get in touch with our helpful and knowledgeable team at Accommodation Windsor Limited on 01753 833747 or email us on stay@accwindsor.co.uk
