Things to Do in Windsor

Windsor, United Kingdom - Complete Travel Guide

Windsor sits along the Thames about 20 miles west of London, and it's one of those places that manages to feel both grand and surprisingly intimate. The town has grown up around Windsor Castle - the world's oldest occupied castle and weekend home to the British Royal Family - but it's got quite a bit more character than you might expect from what could easily be a one-trick tourist town. The cobbled streets around the castle give way to a proper market town with independent shops, riverside walks, and that particular English mix of medieval architecture bumping up against Georgian terraces. You'll find yourself wandering between centuries here, from the Norman foundations of the castle to the Victorian railway station that still brings day-trippers from London, and the whole thing feels manageable in a way that's genuinely refreshing after the intensity of the capital.

Top Things to Do in Windsor

Windsor Castle State Apartments and St George's Chapel

The castle's State Apartments house one of the finest art collections in the world, including works by Rembrandt and Rubens, while St George's Chapel is where recent royal weddings have taken place. The semi-State rooms are particularly impressive when they're open, giving you a sense of how the castle is a working royal residence rather than just a museum piece.

Booking Tip: Tickets cost around £26.50 for adults and it's worth booking online in advance, especially during summer months. Check if the Queen is in residence (the Royal Standard will be flying) as some areas might be closed, though the State Apartments usually remain open.

Windsor Great Park and The Long Walk

This massive parkland stretches for miles south of the castle, with The Long Walk being a dead-straight tree-lined avenue that runs for nearly three miles from the castle to the Copper Horse statue. It's the kind of place where you can get a sense of the scale of royal landscaping, and on clear days you get genuinely spectacular views back toward the castle.

Booking Tip: The park is free to enter and open year-round. Early morning or late afternoon visits offer the best light for photography, and weekdays are significantly quieter than weekends for walking The Long Walk.

River Thames boat trips

The Thames here is still relatively peaceful, and boat trips give you a completely different perspective on both Windsor Castle and the surrounding countryside. You can take short circular trips or longer journeys downstream toward Maidenhead, passing through some lovely English river scenery with weirs, locks, and the occasional swan.

Booking Tip: French Brothers run regular services from April to October, with trips starting around £12 for adults. The 40-minute circular trip is usually sufficient, though the longer journeys to Boveney Lock are worth it if you want to see more of the river.

Eton College and Eton High Street

Just across the Thames bridge, Eton is worth the short walk for its famous college (founded by Henry VI in 1440) and the surprisingly charming high street lined with traditional shops that still serve the school. The contrast between the medieval college buildings and the students in their distinctive tailcoats creates an atmosphere that's quintessentially English in the most surreal way.

Booking Tip: College tours run on selected afternoons during term time and cost around £12, but booking is essential as group sizes are limited. Even without a tour, the chapel and School Yard are often accessible, and the walk across the bridge from Windsor is pleasant.

Windsor Guildhall and local market days

The Guildhall, where Prince Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles, sits at the heart of Windsor's historic market area and houses a small exhibition about the town's history. The Saturday market still operates in the pedestrianized area around the Guildhall, giving you a taste of Windsor as a working market town rather than just a royal destination.

Booking Tip: The Guildhall exhibition is free and usually open during weekday business hours. Saturday markets run from early morning until mid-afternoon, and it's worth timing a visit to coincide with market day for the most authentic local atmosphere.

Getting There

Windsor is remarkably well-connected to London, with two railway stations serving different parts of the capital. Windsor & Eton Central connects directly to London Paddington via Slough (journey time about 50 minutes), while Windsor & Eton Riverside runs to London Waterloo (about an hour). Both stations are within easy walking distance of the castle, though Central is slightly closer. If you're driving, Windsor is just off the M4 motorway, though parking in the town center can be expensive and limited, especially on weekends.

Getting Around

Windsor is compact enough that you can easily walk everywhere within the town center, and most of the main attractions are within a few minutes of each other. The castle, Guildhall, and riverside are all connected by pedestrianized streets and short walks. If you want to venture into Windsor Great Park, it's still walkable but quite extensive - many people drive to the various car parks within the park itself. Local buses connect Windsor to nearby towns, but for most visitors, everything you'd want to see is within comfortable walking distance.

Where to Stay

Windsor town center near the castle

Eton across the river

Old Windsor village

Windsor Great Park area

Near the racecourse

Riverside areas along the Thames

Food & Dining

Windsor's dining scene tends to cater to both tourists and locals, which means you'll find everything from traditional pubs serving Sunday roasts to more contemporary restaurants. The Two Brewers and The Duchess of Cambridge are solid pub choices near the castle, while Gilbey's Bar & Restaurant offers decent modern British food in a Victorian railway arch. For something more casual, the pedestrianized areas around the Guildhall have various cafes and bistros. Eton High Street, just across the bridge, has some interesting independent restaurants that feel less touristy than some of the castle-adjacent options.

When to Visit

Windsor works well year-round, but spring and early autumn probably offer the best combination of weather and manageable crowds. Summer can get genuinely busy, especially on weekends when day-trippers from London descend en masse, though the longer days make it easier to fit everything in. Winter has its own appeal - the castle looks particularly atmospheric, and you'll have much more space to yourself, though some of the river activities and outdoor attractions have limited schedules. If you're interested in the Changing of the Guard at the castle, it typically happens on select days (usually Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), but the schedule varies seasonally.

Insider Tips

The Queen Mary's Dolls' House in the castle is genuinely fascinating - it's a perfect 1:12 scale replica of an aristocratic home with working electricity and plumbing, created by leading designers of the 1920s

If you're visiting on a weekend, start early at the castle before the crowds arrive, then spend the afternoon in Windsor Great Park when the tour groups have moved on

The walk along the Thames Path toward Old Windsor village is surprisingly peaceful and gives you a sense of the area beyond the tourist center - it's only about 20 minutes each way

Things to Do in Windsor

Top Things to Do in Windsor

Windsor Castle State Apartments and St George's Chapel

Windsor Great Park and The Long Walk

River Thames boat trips

Eton College and Eton High Street

Windsor Guildhall and local market days

Getting There

Getting Around

Where to Stay

Food & Dining

When to Visit

Insider Tips

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