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Run half-day trips down-river to Staines and up-river to Maidenhead.
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).
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.