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Berkshire, United Kingdom
Photo: Mark Furney, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Windsor and Eton are twin towns, in Berkshire, in the South East of England, separated by the River Thames and joined by Windsor Bridge. Windsor is an ancient town most famous for its castle, construction of which began in 1075, and which is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. The royal standard flies from the keep of the Castle when the King is in residence.
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The largest and oldest occupied castle in the world and still an official royal residence. You can visit much of the castle, including the magnificent State Apartments and St George's Chapel. The apartments are furnished with some of the finest works of art from the royal collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto and Gainsborough. To skip the long ticket line, buy tickets online a day or more in advance or if buying on the day arrive after noon to avoid the worst queues).
The guards are stationed at Victoria Barracks and march up to and from the Castle accompanied by the guards band playing traditional military marches as well as popular songs.
Built by Sir Christopher Wren, it is famous for its pillars, which were insisted on by the towns burgesses, even though Wren insisted they were unnecessary. To make his point, he built the pillars but ensured a gap was left between them and the roof they apparently support.
St. John the Baptist, built 1822, replaced earlier church edifices that stood since 1084 on the site, 80 m from the Henry VIII Gate of Windsor Castle. Peter Scheemakers, famous for his sculptures in Westminster Abbey, created a memorial to Topham Foote or Foot, son of Samuel Foote and Arabella Topham Foote, that greets visitors using the High Street entrance. The memorial includes the young man's bust and the Foote crest. A second Scheemakers' memorial honours Topham Foote's mother and her second husband Thomas Reeve. Most tourists consider "The Last Supper" by Francis Cleyn a must-view. The painting and the frame were fully restored in 2003 under the leadership of Churchwarden Michael Harding. George III gave the painting and frame to Windsor Parish Church after it hung nearly a century in St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.
The most prestigious school in the United Kingdom, and also one of the most expensive, but only admits boys. See School Yard and the College Chapel (building started in 1441 and one of the finest examples of 15th-century Perpendicular Gothic architecture). Walk around their extensive playing fields some of which are adjacent to the River Thames. Opening hours vary depending on time of year and school term; see 'Visits to Eton' topic on the Eton College website or see the website above. The Museum of Antiquities, Museum of Eton Life and Natural History Museum are open on Sun 2:30-5PM. There are also exhibitions that can be visited by advance arrangement.
Just across Windsor Bridge. These attractive meadows offer a spectacular view across the river of Windsor and the Castle.
A huge parkland area behind the castle and which includes The Long Walk, which runs from Windsor Castle past Old Windsor's western perimeter to the Copper Horse statue, Virginia Water lake, landscaped Valley Gardens and Savill Garden (below). Whilst some outer parts of the park are accessible by car, walking shows you more but be aware that from Windsor Castle, down the Long Walk and on to Virginia Water at the far side of the park is 5 mi. Be aware that bicycling is restricted to specific roads within the park and it is forbidden to even push a bike on The Long Walk.
The Savill Garden is a temperate woodland garden renowned for its rhododendrons and spring borders.
Strictly for the kids, this is a Lego brick themed amusement park. Accessible by shuttle bus from central Windsor (call number above for details). Good theme park, aimed at younger children, with fewer rides, although it has many LEGO towns.
Accessible by road or catch First bus 41 (runs approximately every 30 minutes M-Sa only; alight at the Bells of Ouzely pub; see Get around above for bus company details). Runnymede is an attractive area of riverside meadows, grassland and broad-leaved woodland and rich in flora and fauna; albeit somewhat disturbed by a rather busy road. Perhaps more importantly it was on this site, in 1215, that King John sealed the Magna Carta. Because of its historical connections, Runnymede is the site of several memorials amongst the trees of the slopes of Coopers Hill:
Commemorates the men and women of the Allied Air Forces who died during the Second World War and records the names of the 20,456 airmen who have no known grave. From the top of the tower visitors can see long views over Windsor, the surrounding counties and, somehow appropriately, aircraft taking off and landing at Heathrow.
The British memorial to the assassinated US president consists of a Portland Stone memorial inscribed with the famous quote from his inaugural address 'Let every Nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend or oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and success of liberty'. Visitors reach the memorial by treading a steep path of irregular granite steps, intended to symbolise a pilgrimage.
A domed classical temple built by the American Bar Association and containing a pillar of English granite on which is inscribed 'To commemorate Magna Carta, symbol of Freedom Under Law'.
Provides a hop-on, hop-off service visiting Windsor Castle, Victoria Barracks, The Long Walk and Eton College.
river trip
Run 40-minute and 2-hour trips, principally up-river and with views of Windsor Castle, Eton College, Brocas Meadows, Windsor Racecourse, Bray Film Studios (2-hour trip only) and Monkey Island (2-hour trip only).
river trip
Run half-day trips down-river to Staines and up-river to Maidenhead.
Accessible on race days by the X77 shuttle bus from Windsor & Eton Riverside station (round trip £3) or boat shuttle from Thames Promenade (round trip £6). Day and evening meetings throughout the year; visit website or contact telephone number above for details.
Excellent, medium-sized Victorian theatre, that always has a variety of touring productions, with a host of well-known British actors.
A 60 mi walk from Windsor to Winchester. This walk is inspired by the journeys of King John between the two cities via the castle he built at Odiham at the time of Magna Carta, and passes through a variety of attractive scenery including downland, heath, forest, parkland, picturesque villages and quiet streams. For more information see the web site, or get a hold of a copy of the book The Three Castles Path by David Bounds and Dave Ramm (ISBN 1874258082).
With views across the Thames, this famous listed building offers a reasonable atmosphere and low end food and drink.
Well known for fine wines and cuisine. The bistro and bar overlooks the High Street, whilst the conservatory restaurant adjoins the courtyard garden at the rear.
Chinese.
Excellent award winning Moroccan food.
Portuguese peri-peri chicken house, with many other food varieties on offer.
Nationwide coffee chain, very good coffee.
Delicious and authentic Indian cuisine.
Well-established Indian restaurant, a "Top Hundred Restaurant" in the British Curry Awards. Locally voted "Restaurant of the Year 2008-9". Very popular. Hot curries are very spicy.
Though it does get busy, this Fuller's pub has nice outside seating.
Very friendly publicans!
10 minutes from Windsor town centre tucked away on a Victorian red brick street. A traditional English pub serving a range of beers, ales, and wine, and food (W-Su). It has painted and stained wooden floors, comfy couches and armchairs and a large garden and decking. The Alma is full of antiques and collectables including furniture, paintings, pictures, mirrors, ceramics and interesting nick knacks, all of which are for sale, including the tables and chairs you sit on!.
A great 18th-century pub, owned by over 200 local investors, which is a community hub. Has bike racks and a cycle repair station.
Within walking distance of town in a good neighbourhood. Good rooms and reasonable breakfast included. Limited covered parking available for fee.
This is a hotel and event venue offering over 400 bedrooms and 75 event suites. It was built as a family home from the 14th century, and is made up of several buildings - including an old school house and an iconic white mansion – featuring ornate architecture like grand white exterior pillars, barrel-vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows.
An executive apartment in an impressive building on Hermitage Lane backing onto Windsor Great Park.
Shops, cafes and restaurants.
This concade offers a careful selection of clothes and food. The new offering includes Zara, New Look, Top Shop, H&M and a Waitrose Supermarket.
By train
In Windsor and Eton, there are two railway stations, Windsor & Eton Central and Windsor & Eton Riverside (+44 345 748 4950) (see the National Rail website for up-to-date information about stations,…
By bus
By car
Windsor is served by the M4 motorway (freeway) which runs from London to Bristol and South Wales. It is about an hour's drive from central London. The best junction to use is J6.
By bicycle
Windsor lies on National Cycle Route 4 (London — St David's).
By tour
There are numerous sightseeing tour companies that offer tours by coach from London to Windsor in a day and these tours can also include Stonehenge and Bath.
By foot
Neither Windsor nor Eton is desperately large and walking is a good way around the central area.
By bus
Windsor has a reasonable bus service, both within the town and to the surrounding area, although frequencies can be quite low with little service in the evenings or on Sunday.
By car
Neither Windsor nor Eton is big enough to get really congested, although traffic delays can be severe on summer weekend mornings and evenings, when Legoland is popular, and on evenings when there is…
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