Our home country of England is famous for its royal family and history. In particular, Windsor is a popular town for tourists, and for good reason. There are plenty of exciting things to do in Windsor, and you might even catch a glimpse of a royal!
Less than 25 miles from central London, and only 10 miles from Heathrow airport, Windsor is the perfect place to spend a few days soaking in British culture. Enjoy great British food, interesting history and plenty of pubs too!
If you’re spending some time in the capital, then Windsor is a great place for a quick trip from London, whether you’re visiting with kids in tow or just as a fun solo trip. From afternoon tea to boat rides to brewery tours, Windsor has something for everyone. Expect a busy few days if you want to experience it all – you’ll need a great place to stay in the town too.
Read on to find out what to see in Windsor, with tips and advice from a local – Jade grew up 15 minutes away from the town and even worked there many moons ago!
Day 1
Feed the Ducks
Begin your day by visiting the royal swans. Walk along the River Thames and purchase a bag of feed. Throw it into the water and watch the birds enjoy their breakfast.
Watch the Changing of the Guard
The guards at Windsor Castle change at 11:00 am on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. You’ll be able to watch the soldiers march through the town centre, and they finish the ceremony inside the Castle grounds.
The present Guard will hand over their duties to the new Guard, and then return to the Barracks nearby. A band will lead the soldiers to the ceremony. If you’re looking for traditional and royal entertainment, then this is a great way to start your visit to Windsor!
LOCAL’S TIP: If you need to book a taxi, call Windsor Cars!
Visit Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is famous all around the world, and for good reason. It’s the oldest inhabited castle in the world, and the late Queen would spend most weekends there.
Wander around the state apartments, marvel at Queen Mary’s doll’s house and visit St George’s Chapel, where King Henry VIII lies. Check out this guide to visiting Windsor Castle for more information. It’s definitely worth visiting!
Fudge Kitchen
If you haven’t already, take a break for lunch on Thames Street and finish with a visit to the Fudge Kitchen. They give out free samples and you won’t be able to leave without purchasing a chunk of incredibly flavoured fudge!
Shopping
Windsor is full of boutique shops, high street chain stores and interesting gift shops. You could spend all day browsing bookshops, jewellers and galleries.
Peascod Street is a pedestrian-only zone, offering shops such as Superdry, River Island and Marks and Spencer, whereas in the Royal Windsor Shopping Centre you can find Hobbs, Whistles and Links of London, to name a few.
Our Top Pick
Back at your hotel, get ready for the evening. You might want to think about choosing a hotel close to the town centre so that you don’t waste time getting from A to B every day.
The Harte and Garter is a great hotel if you’re splashing out, or if you are on a budget then the simple but sufficient Travel Lodge is a popular accommodation choice for people in the UK.
Enjoy an early dinner by the river at Côte Brasserie, or for something more relaxed, visit the Duchess of Cambridge pub opposite the Castle.
See a theatre show
Catch a show at the Theatre Royal on Thames Street. If you can’t make it for this evening, try and watch a matinee performance. There are always different events going on, from musicals to tribute bands.
Go bar hopping
A weekend in Windsor isn’t complete without a bit of a boogie! If you’re not already tired out, then take a walk underneath ‘the Arches’, where a row of bars and clubs offer cheap drinks and dancing.
Depending on which day you visit, you might get free entry to a nightclub, or a deal on a bottle of Prosecco! Check out the websites of a few before you go.
Day 2
Bike Ride
As long as you’re not too hungover from the night before, you can rent a bike and tour the town centre. Change Gear only charges £10 for three hours, or less if you only need a short time.
If you stop for lunch with your bikes, don’t fill up too much as you’ll be eating scones and cakes later on today!
Visit Eton
Once you’ve returned your bikes, it’s time to wander across the bridge and visit Eton! Home to the famous college, attended by Princes William and Harry, Eton is a historical town offering plenty of antique shops, independent retailers and best of all, traditional afternoon teas!
Afternoon Tea
Depending on how hungry you are, you can order a small plate of scones or a full traditional tea including Champagne and sandwiches! You can’t leave Windsor without trying this British favourite, and the Bel and Dragon offers a great version.
Remember that it’s afternoon tea, so you’ll have to plan carefully to make sure you visit at the right time! Usually, afternoon tea is offered between around 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm.
LOCAL’S TIP: Spending longer than a weekend and looking for things to do near Windsor? Visit Dorney Lake (used during the 2012 Summer Olympics), Windsor Great Park and even take a day trip to Legoland!
Boat Ride
A boat trip on the River Thames offers some gorgeous views of Windsor and the surrounding local area. A 40 minute round trip is the perfect amount of time to relax and learn about the river.
If you’re staying close to the town centre then go back to your hotel and relax for the next hour. If you’re a bit further out you’ll want to stay close by, so perhaps take a wander around the lovely gardens of Windsor and enjoy the scenery.
You might not be hungry for a huge meal if you ate at 3 pm, but there are plenty of quick fixes to satisfy those small pangs. Try the not-so-fancy but cheap, quick and classic Wetherspoon pub.
It might not reflect the typical image that springs to mind when you imagine dining opposite Windsor Castle, but it is definitely a place to have a drink or two before your next activity!
Brewery Tour
A two-hour tour will show you how a microbrewery works, and give you the opportunity to sample local beers! You can take an open tour or a private tour where you can have the whole place to yourselves if you are a big group! Don’t forget to pre-book on the website.
*Note that brewery tours here start at 7:30 pm on a Wednesday evening, and 12:30 pm on a Saturday. You might want to plan your trip differently if you’re spending a weekend in Windsor as opposed to a few weekdays.
Finish the evening early tonight because tomorrow will take up all of your energy! Or, if you’re like us, take advantage of the beer samples then go back to the bars and party the night away!
Day 3
Watersports
Windsor isn’t near the seaside but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some fun water activities on your visit! Liquid Leisure Aqua Park allows you to jump around on trampolines, bounce down slides and even go paddleboarding, all in a freshwater lake!
Choose your different activities and be prepared to be active all day!
LOCAL’S TIP: You can also catch the Greenline Bus to and from London!
Spa Afternoon
After all that activity, you’ll need to unwind on your weekend in Windsor with a relaxing spa treatment. Splash out and visit the Wren Spa, choosing a whole package or individual treatment.
Being so close to London, Windsor celebrates many different cultures and cuisines. Try Italian, Thai, Greek, Indian or Japanese food for dinner, and enjoy the last part of your weekend in Windsor.
LOCAL’S TIP: Check out these fun things to do in London too!
Packing List Essentials
Are you planning a weekend in Windsor? Let us know which parts of the itinerary you enjoyed the most!